Plot Synopsis

In 11 episodes, METAL EVOLUTION explores the 40+ year history of heavy metal -- from early metal to shock rock, from thrash to progressive metal and from grunge to nu metal. As he travels the globe to speak with the genre's most influential musical artists, producers and experts, host Sam Dunn is guided by the Heavy Metal Family Tree, a genealogical chart that reveals the vast complex progeny of heavy metal with 26 sub-genres. Guests include legends such as Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson and influential pioneers such as Arthur Brown. VH1 premiered METAL EVOLUTION on 2011 National Metal Day (Friday, November 11, 2011) and then moved the series to its regular time slot on Saturdays at 10pm ET, beginning with new episodes on November 19, 2011.