Review: Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem – A Klok Opera
Spoilers Below
From the opening credits you knew this was different. Starting more like a Star Wars movie than any television I have ever seen animated or otherwise, in any case the rush commences and we have Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem – A Klok Opera. Toki’s still missing and Dethklok has disbanded. In order for the balance in the universe to be restored, Chuck’s gotta get the group back together. No worries though, Toki is alive, just being held prisoner with Abigail by MMA and Hammersmith. But what of Dethklok?
Those guys are PARTYING and boy does it look Brooklyn. Nathan seems to be the only one who is more or less depressed as he mourns the loss of Abby, but that’s why we have booze, right?? Charles seems to be the only one trying to find Toki and from the looks of it finding the fifth member of Dethklok has about as much of a likelihood as Dave Lombardo coming back to Slayer. Shit, even Salacia can’t make them save their fallen comrade.
The press gets hold of Toki going missing and so now citizens are looking for him, too and holograms for the live shows just ain’t cutting it with THIS rabid fan base. With their backs against the wall, Nathan and the rest of Dethklok look to head into battle.
Back in prison, Abigail is doing her best to console Toki in his time of need. Its here we go back to the days in which Toki joined Dethklok and more importantly why there probably is no replacing him.
The Revengencers hear all about Dethklok’s plan, but Charles and #216 makes sure the band is ready to ROCK! However, Charles drops a bomb and decides to resign from his post as band manager and as such heads on into the wintry conditions with the band watching probably in shock. That said the Priest Leader of the Black Klok leads the band to the depths of humanity, but once inside the guys grab what they think could be a lead to Toki’s whereabouts. After defeating legions of broke musicians, the band meets up with zombies, but Rockso is able to come back to life and defeat ’em all. Dethklok crowd surfs their way to a rehearsal space with some bad history, and what awaits them is a big huge fight. After getting thrown out of the place by MMA, Dethklok storms back in and grabs Toki in front of a dying Hammersmith. MMA summons hell, but Dethklok lives on. Hammersmith doesn’t make it, but the band survives. Abby is back with Nathan, and Charles is sorta back, too. But does an evil lurk within one of the bandmates??
To be quite honest, I thought the Metalocalypse was a bit more light-hearted then what I thought it was going to be. Not to say there weren’t any exciting moments, as Dethklok running the halls of the underworld is truly a sight to bestow, but I think that I was expecting something else entirely.
Two things that should be noted…1) The art direction and background design is nothing like I have ever seen and as such is quite easily Titmouse’s most refined work to date. The scant fight scenes that were written into this musical opus were directed like they would be on Broadway in that no one actually fights in the big fight scenes, rather everyone just sings and dances and it turns into more of a Westside Story deal. 2) The musical composition is just as Dethklok as ever, but if you haven’t seen the special yet and you have plans to purchase the soundtrack do NOT be surprised if you hear some of the most unique concepts of Brendon Small’s musical career. Despite the fact that the great Gene Hoglan is kicking the skins, Brendon definitely took a lot of the humor out of what would ordinarily be conversational dialogue and instead wrote goofier songs that usually help break up any sort of monotony with the serious overtones coming from the overall plot.
Nothing is quite as beautiful as hundreds of Klokateers doing pretty much a river dance or even the drinking songs that introduce the band at the offset of the hour. The scene stealer of the whole special might very well be Abby’s lullaby as it definitely brought this almost Disney like influence that was RIGHT in the middle of the whole deal making sure that this soundtrack wasn’t just a sausage party. Speaking of which, the main cast (and 13 characters of which were all Brendon Small) were just unbelievable in their lyrical delivery. Nathan sounds…well like Nathan. But what really blew me away was how great the other members of the band sounded behind the mic with particular kudos certainly going to how Skwisgaar (Small) performed. Also, Corpsegrinder was OUTSTANDING as the Metal Masked Assassin as he certainly showcased some of his best work to date which was only highlighted by the 50-piece orchestra.
The special was rather that…special. However it wasn’t without its flaws. The special seemed to have lulls in between major plot points. Like we kicked off with seeing where everyone is then we….get…to….the…..Toki plot which was really good and led…to…the…Dethklok…getting…him….back complete with bad ass fights and an ending. And yes without dropping MAJOR spoilers there is an ending, but I don’t think it spells the end for Metalocalypse. As a matter of fact I think the cliffhanger left open a door very similar to how the movie Prometheus did it in that by itself if Brendon NEVER wanted to do this show again, The Doomstar Requiem would certainly act as a serviceable finish. However, there is definitely a door opened here for more stories and I think I was happy to see that more than anything.
It will be interesting to see where Brendon goes from here, if we get new Metalocalypse next year or 10 years from now and whether or not he stays on doing all of the writing and junk or if he hands that part off and focuses on his just as stellar music career or maybe embarks on something else entirely. No matter the case, I hope Brendon keeps up appearances in the animated world because his stuff is really just the best and he certainly has a unique approach to story telling that I think is tough to duplicate. Case in point Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem. There is NO one on TV nor in heavy metal music that is going to have the balls to come close to anything as compelling or rich as what Brendon Small has given us save for maybe Metallica’s S&M or if Fleshgod Apocalypse were to make an hour long video tribute to their music and neither would have the comedic timing that comes from humble beginnings by way of Boston’s The Comedy Studio all those years ago. Yep, that’s right…Brendon Small has one-upped Metallica this year.
