‘Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar’ Review – Dethklok’s Long-Awaited Comeback Is Brutal and Epic

From the mosh pit of TV cancellations, the animated cult hit Metalocalypse rises up and delivers Army of the Doomstar. And without missing a beat, the story of the world’s most successful death metal band Dethklok picks up right where it left off. This new feature-length film serves as a direct continuation of 2013’s sublime and singular metal-opera The Doomstar Requiem. Those hanging plot threads are now finally answered in this climactic music odyssey brimful with hellfire and end of world stakes. 

In the universe of Metalocalypse, the band Dethklok reigns supreme as metal lords whose global success has a direct effect on both society and the economy. The government keeps a watchful eye on the band as well as any trends and incidents influenced by their actions. Despite their godlike power, the five members of Dethklok — lead singer Nathan Explosion (Brendon Small), bassist William Murderface (Tommy Blacha), lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf (Small), drummer Pickles (Small), and rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth (Blacha) — would rather spend their time partying and bedding groupies. Metalocalypse is generally a spot-on satire of music (metal or otherwise), fandom, and pretty much everything else in life.

Now, after having rescued Toki and former producer Abigail (Raya Yarbrough) from opposing forces in The Doomstar Requiem, Nathan is completely burned out. On top of the pressure to release a new album, Nathan is struggling with PTSD. Dethklok’s frontman has had more than his fair share of setbacks over the course of his music career, but now Nathan is facing his worst personal crisis yet: he’s lost all confidence as a songwriter.

While writer’s block and creative uncertainty are always unfortunate, Nathan’s case is especially ill-timed because the fate of the world rests in his hands. Something big was set in motion at the end of The Doomstar Requiem, and Nathan must craft the perfect song, or else humanity is done for. Metalocalypse has rolled out these last-minute, apocalyptic stories in the past, particularly at the end of each TV season. However, compared to the events seen in Army of the Doomstar, those trials were trivial.

The head-banging Dethklok soundtrack has always been a major strength of Metalocalypse, yet the uniquely charming and offbeat characters also make this series sing. The television side was sure to give all the main players their spotlight and never make things feel like it’s just Nathan and everyone else. Army of the Doomstar is less balanced in this way, seeing as how Nathan plays a pivotal role in the looming event aptly referred to as the “Metalocalypse.” Even so, the film eventually factors in the others once all hell starts to break loose and Nathan realizes his world-saving mission isn’t a solo act.

Army of the Doomstar is the long-awaited culmination of story seeds planted long ago and not entirely brought to fruition during the series’ original run. The main plot is so demanding that there is virtually no time for the band’s usual and inane misadventures. Nevertheless, co-creator and director/writer Brendon Small is wise to step off the gas from time to time and let both the characters and the audience breathe and laugh. This journey is not without its welcome detours. It’s so easy to get bogged down with the details of the pending Metalocalypse, but the film knows instruments are nothing without their players. Interpersonal interactions are scattered and bordering on sparse, however, this band’s ultimate reunion is absolutely epic.

It’s unclear where the franchise will go after this film, but Dethklok’s latest adventure — and possibly its swan song — is sure to make most if not all of its diehard fans happy. Army of the Doomstar is, after all, a love letter to them. The new tunes are considerably crafted and brutal, the cinematic animation is often stunning, and the supporting cast is stacked with talent, including Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, Jon Hamm, and Evanescence’s Amy Lee. The individual main characters are overshadowed by a portentous plot, but with this chapter of the Metalocalypse saga now closed, the series is open to new stories. And whatever comes next for Dethklok, the fans will be there, ready to press “play” at a moment’s notice.

Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar will be available on Digital and Home Video on August 22.