In an attempt to break into the burgeoning music scene, mild-mannered Negishi agreed to join a hard core metal band adopting the Krauser persona for his stage performance. Unfortunately for Negishi, more and more he seems to be having trouble separating his stage presence from his real life.

While the art is at times kind of awkward, the soft colors and round-edges actually make sense in a bizarre fashion. Whereas sharper, more detailed and grotesque designs would make the show much more “metal,” the softer, more gentle art brings the glaring reality of a boy caught in a spiral of metal and carnage to light.

The side characters are hilarious, from the foul-mouthed record label manager to Negishi’s unsuspecting love interest, Aikawa. Stories are completely episodic, usually breaking up into two or three separate events in Negishi’s life each episode.

If you’re a fan of ear-bleeding metal and embarrassing situational comedy, then you should already be watching the show. If not, it doesn’t matter, because there’s a freight train heading down the road to Fucking Metal and if you’re not on it, you’re in its path. It’s the Detroit Metal City Express. Go to DMC.

by Joshua Kaplowitz