Metal Evolution

Overview

Metal Evolution is a 2011 documentary series directed by anthropologist and film-maker Sam Dunn and director, producer and music supervisor Scot McFadyen about heavy metal subgenres, with new episodes airing every Friday at 10pm EST on MuchMore and Saturday at 10pm EST on VH1 Classic. Its origins come from Dunn's first documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, which included the acclaimed "Heavy Metal Family Tree."

Episodes

Pre-Metal

S01E01 Pre-Metal

November 11, 2011 8.0 41 min
The history of heavy metal is charted. The premiere chronicles the origins of the genre, from pioneering music in Memphis to the Kinks in England.
Early Metal Part 1: US Division

S01E02 Early Metal Part 1: US Division

November 19, 2011 8.0 41 min
Episode 2 traces the development of early metal in the United States from the guitar histrionics of Dick Dale to the protopunk madness of The Stooges and MC5.
Early Metal Part 2: UK Division

S01E03 Early Metal Part 2: UK Division

December 2, 2011 9.0 41 min
Pouncing on the power of heavy metal, the UK wasn't about to cede the rock & roll dominance that nation held over America since the insanity of The Beatles and the subsequent British Invasion.
New Wave of British Heavy Metal

S01E04 New Wave of British Heavy Metal

December 9, 2011 41 min
The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal marks no less than the establishment of hard rock’s very first heavy metal army. Loud ‘n’ proud of it, this jean-jacketed legion of headbanging air guitarists snarled back...
Glam Metal

S01E05 Glam Metal

December 16, 2011 41 min
Purveyors of glam such as Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil and Michael Anthony of Van Halen, will divulge their side of the story, revealing the attitudes, influences and decisions which guided them during those heady days...
Thrash

S01E06 Thrash

December 31, 2011 41 min
Next in the evolution of Metal comes a virulent strain called thrash, with the likes of Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax wreaking vengeance on hook and melody through a rhythmic discipline executed at breakneck tempos topped...
Grunge

S01E07 Grunge

January 7, 2012 41 min
An exploration of the grunge genre and how its rise precipitated the downfall of telegenic glam metal.
Nu Metal

S01E08 Nu Metal

January 14, 2012 41 min
In Episode 8, Sam Dunn chronicles the rise and fall of nu-metal; starting with its ancestry: pivotal artists like Rage Against The Machine, Faith No More and Tool and their fiery amalgam of hard, heavy...
Shock Rock

S01E09 Shock Rock

January 21, 2012 41 min
Two central questions are raised: "Historically, where did the urge to shock an audience come from?" and "What are the antecedents of shock in rock music?" Starting with the ringmaster of mayhem himself, Alice Cooper,...
Power Metal

S01E10 Power Metal

January 28, 2012 41 min
Sam investigates Heavy Metal's most enduring sub-genre, power metal, and dissects its musical foundations, from the unmistakable influence of German classical composers like Wagner and Liszt to the patented twin-lead guitar attack of power metal...
Progressive Metal

S01E11 Progressive Metal

February 4, 2012 41 min
Many rock academics have proclaimed that the truly progressive musicianship of the last 20 years has been found right here in the world of heavy metal, rather than obvious locales such as jazz, fusion or...
Extreme Metal: The Lost Episode

S01E12 Extreme Metal: The Lost Episode

April 15, 2014 41 min
Produced after the original series aired, this episode covers Florida Death Metal, Norwegian Black Metal, Grindcore, and other extreme subgenres. The episode was produced with the help of donations through IndieGoGo.

Cast

Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn
Himself

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