'Metal Evolution' Documentary Series: Trailer Released

VH1 Classic has proclaimed 11-11-11 as "National Metal Day" and will celebrate with a slew of exclusive metal programming, including the exclusive debut of Banger Films' ("Metal: A Headbangers Journey", "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage") groundbreaking documentary series "Metal Evolution". The latest passion project from Canadian documentarians Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, "Metal Evolution" will dedicate each episode of the 11-part series to a specific facet of the heavy metal sound and culture.

The premiere episode of "Metal Evolution" will focus on Pre-Metal, the earliest sounds of metal that can be heard in the music of LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE and JIMI HENDRIX. Subsequent episodes of the series will explore genres ranging from British Heavy Metal to Glam Metal to Thrash Metal, and artists from IRON MAIDEN to KISS to METALLICA and more. New episodes of "Metal Evolution" will premiere every Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET/PT on VH1 Classic.

"Metal Evolution" presents 11 episodes based on the ground-breaking "Heavy Metal Family Tree." This 26 sub-genre genealogical chart reveals the vast complex progeny of heavy metal from Early Metal and Shock Rock to Thrash, from Progressive Metal to Grunge and Nu Metal. Using the Chart as his road map, host/producer and Metalhead-turned-anthropologist Sam Dunn crisscrossed the globe exploring the vast history of heavy metal across its 40-plus-year history and beyond. From bars and back alleys to the biggest open air festivals, Sam will visit the pioneers of British and American hard rock who laid metal's sonic foundation, as well as the current leaders of contemporary metal. Whether you love metal, documentaries or just great stories, "Metal Evolution" is the ultimate examination into the history of heavy metal music.

Drawing on the expertise of a whole team of musicians, journalists, academics, and producers, Sam will explore the questions heavy metal fans have always wanted to ask. A highlight of the series will be Sam's in-depth discussions with many of heavy metal's most important and influential personalities. From Alice Cooper to Slash, Lemmy to Rob Zombie and members of METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, SLAYER, VAN HALEN, DEF LEPPARD, THE STOOGES, ZZ TOP, MTLEY CRE, POISON, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, and many more, Sam will investigate the history, myths and intricacies of metal.

"When we did 'Metal: A Headbanger's Journey', we knew we weren't going to be able to cover all of the different styles, subgenres and history of the metal scene in a 90-minute film," Dunn told AOL's Noisecreep. "That was the inspiration behind using a family tree in the documentary to help show that side of things. That film was more an exploration of the culture and controversy around heavy metal. It wasn't meant to be a history lesson about the music. . . Soon after our first documentary came out, we had people telling us that they wished we had made it eight hours long. [laughs] So the idea behind this series was to bring people 11 one-hour episodes where we focus on one subject each time. Part of the inspiration to even do this new series was all of those hardcore metal fans that have a passion for the music, its history, and an obsession with categorizing everything to help understand it all. We hope this series feeds that curiosity."