VH1 Classic Declares 11-11-11 "National Metal Day"

NEW YORK, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 Classic proclaims 11-11-11 as "National Metal Day," a day-long celebration of all things metal. The metal bonanza begins November 1, 2011 with metal-focused concerts, specials, movies and videos each night leading up to grand finale on 11-11-11. On "National Metal Day" catch the highly anticipated premiere of Banger Films' groundbreaking documentary series, "Metal Evolution" at 10 PM ET/PT.

"Nobody is more metal than VH1 Classic," said Ben Zurier, EVP Programming Strategy, VH1 & VH1 Classic. "Celebrating National Metal Day on 11-11-11 gives us a platform to honor metal artists, and take metal music one step further than anybody has before. We've lined up a tremendous collection of concerts, movies and specials, highlighted by the brand new series "Metal Evolution" – the ultimate history of metal and the larger-than-life characters who have written it."

Kicking off the countdown to "National Metal Day," VH1 Classic will program "The 11 Days of Metal" beginning November 1, 2011, featuring one of metal's most influential artists each night. Artists including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Metallica, Lemmy, Motley Crue and more will be showcased in various VH1 Classic concerts and specials. Programming details will be announced in the coming months.

On "National Metal Day," 11-11-11, metal maniacs can catch the premiere of "Behind The Music Remastered: Megadeth" at 9 PM ET/PT followed by the premiere of Banger Films' (Metal: A Headbangers Journey, Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage) groundbreaking documentary series "Metal Evolution" at 10 pm ET/PT on VH1 Classic. 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 Friday night at 10pm on VH1 Classic.

"Metal Evolution" is an 11-episode docu-series produced by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Banger Films and is based on the groundbreaking "Heavy Metal Family Tree." The "Heavy Metal Family Tree" is a 26 sub-genre genealogical chart which 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 Dunn, crisscrosses the globe exploring the vast history of heavy metal across its 40+ year history and beyond. From bars and back alleys to the biggest open air festivals, Dunn 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" will be the ultimate examination into the history of Heavy Metal music.

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that presents videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's,  80's and 90s, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, Madonna, and U2. Learn more at VH1Classic.com.

* All Times ET/PT

SOURCE VH1 Classic