Metal Evolution

Season 1

TV-PG

A journey through heavy metal's roots and evolution, featuring interviews with rock legends and industry insiders. Myths are challenged as the genre's depth and impact are revealed through candid talks with stars from iconic bands.

Where to Watch Season 1

12 Episodes

Pre-Metal
E1
Pre-MetalThe 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
E2
Early Metal Part 1: US DivisionDarker, heavier music in the sounds of Steppenwolf and Blue Cheer. Followed by the inspired and inspiring sound of Kiss and Aerosmith. Van Halen begins a decade's worth of dominance for the uniquely party hardy metal of America.
Early Metal Part 2: UK Division
E3
Early Metal Part 2: UK DivisionPouncing on the power of heavy metal, bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Trapeze and Slade were crafting their own loud sounds in response to the bleak industrial environment of Britain's Midlands.
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
E4
New Wave of British Heavy MetalThe 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 at punk ,expressed impatience with prog, and purposefully declared a banishment of ballads.
Glam Metal
E5
Glam MetalPurveyors of glam such as Bon Jovi, Cinderella and Quiet Riot will divulge their side of the story, revealing the attitudes, influences and decisions which guided them during those days of rampant excess on L.A.'s sunset strip.
Thrash
E6
ThrashNext 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 by harshly barked vocals.
Grunge
E7
GrungeWhile grunge was enjoying its meteoric rise, replacing the MTV face of Metal that was glam with its own brand of telegenic, easy to digest "rebellion," diehards within the Metal community struggled to adjust.
Nu Metal
E8
Nu MetalSam Dunn chronicles the rise and fall of nu metal; starting with pivotal acts Rage Against The Machine, Faith No More and Tool and continuing to pioneering nu metal artists like Korn and Deftones.
Shock Rock
E9
Shock RockTwo 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, an artist who drew heavily on such diverse influences as Expressionist horror film and circus sideshows, we'll revisit a world of guillotines and gallows, electrocutions and sorcery.
Power Metal
E10
Power MetalSam 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 architects Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing from Judas Priest. Ep 10 asks the questions: "Why is power metal so huge in Europe?," "What are its roots?" and "Why does it still prosper today?".
Progressive Metal
E11
Progressive MetalA genre that takes root with the likes of Rush in the '70s, Queensryche and Fates Warning in the '80s, and Dream Theater in the '90s. Since then, the genre has exploded with creativity, spawning mind-bending, genre-defying acts.
Extreme Metal: The Lost Episode
E12
Extreme Metal: The Lost EpisodeProduced 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.