Published: February 24, 2009 10:57 am      

Metalocalypse mesmerizes

I am of two minds about Metalocalypse.

The first season of the violent fantasy/adventure/rock fest is for sale on DVD now, and will probably find its niche with younger adults.

Anyone over 30 will likely find it distasteful.

When I first watched an episode of the series in 2007 with my son Trevor — who swore it was hilarious — I couldn’t help laughing.

Metalocalypse is typical Adult Swim fare.

For those who haven’t watched Adult Swim, it’s Cartoon Network’s night counterpart, a grown-up version of the kid-friendly channel that features Sponge Bob Squarepants and other irreverent cartoon series.

Adult Swim is not for kids.

It’s a clearinghouse for shows you thought were dead such as Futurama or Mission Hill and shows that probably should be such as Robot Chicken.

Adult Swim also showcases dark fantasy fests. Metalocolpyse is based on the premise that a heavy metal band of the future has become so popular the members are virtually omnipotent.

Dethlok — the name of this dysfunctional group of a rockers — influence legions of brain damaged fans, many of whom are killed or seriously injured during the group’s concerts.

Created by Brendon Small and his friend Tommy Blacha who produced the series Home Movies, also on Adult Swim — Metalocalypse includes Dethlok members William Murderface, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Nathan Explosion, Pickles, and Toki Wartooth.

Each character is a disaster.

For instance, Toki Wartooth is a puking alcoholic who just wants to be loved.

William Murderface looks suspiciously like a police officer, talks like the characters in Fargo and is every bit the pervert.

Warning: Do not ask him why his back hurts.

Skwisgaar Skwigelf is difficult to understand with his Scandinavian accent. But don’t worry. He’s just as sick as the others.

Although most profanity and sexual references are deleted from the cable network version of the show, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what’s missing. The CDs feature more adult language than the TV version.

The series does have some strong points — mostly in the visual art department.

For one thing, the action is swift, the colors dark and saturnine and the technology imaginative.

Villians pursue the band with lethal gadgets Small and Blacha probably dreamed up and sketched as kids.

Deaths are plentiful, quick and bloody for those who like a lot of gore with their fantasy.

The whole series has the feel of a graphic novel.

My intro to Metalocalypse came during a marathon of the series and I’m still not sure whether or not I like it.

My guess is younger adults will go for it while older viewers should stick with Spongebob.