Metal Evolution
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."
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Ep 1Pre-Metal
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.
Ep 2Early Metal Part 1: US Division
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.
Ep 3Early Metal Part 2: UK Division
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.
Ep 4New Wave of British Heavy Metal
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 at punk ,expressed impatience with prog, and purposefully declared a banishment of ballads.
Ep 5Glam Metal
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 of rampant excess on L.A.’s storied Sunset Strip. Contemporary musicians like Scott Ian from Anthrax and Slash from Guns N’ Roses will discuss the reasons behind the vilification of glam—the notion that glam reduced Metal to caricature, drawing on a shallow combination of pop cliché and sophomoric sexual pandering for its inspiration.
Ep 6Thrash
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 by harshly barked vocals.
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