Metal Evolution - the brainchild of Banger Films documentarians Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen - premiered on VH1 Classic on 11/11/11, and will appear weekly in its Saturday at 10 PM time slot.

Following is an excerpt from an interview with Dunn conducted by QMI:

Q: You’ve been working on this series for more than two years. How much more work went into this than one of your documentary films?

Dunn: "Well, this series is 11 one-hour episodes on the entire history of hard rock and heavy metal. And each episode is really a documentary unto its own. Because what we discovered is that each metal subgenre — whether it’s thrash or shock-rock or glam-metal or grunge — has its own unique story. And its own cast of characters and key people. So it was a lot more work from a research and writing perspective because we had to pin down the key characters and come up with interesting stories. There were a lot of late nights in the writing room with DEEP PURPLE on."

Q: What were the biggest surprises and epiphanies for you?

One that really stands out to me was nu-metal, which emerged in the ’90s and was this subgenre that explored hip-hop and included turntables. Guys in bands like KORN and LIMP BIZKIT and LINKIN PARK didn’t look metal. And I honestly despised these bands at the time.

But in doing the episode, I learned there was some value in what those bands brought to the genre because it tested the boundaries of heavy metal. Part of the charm of metal is the musicians’ and fans’ commitment to the music and the sense of community. But the downside is that can become pretty exclusive and even elitist at times. The nu-metal episode made me realize adding a seven-string guitar and bringing metal back to some sense of groove — which it really hadn’t had since LED ZEPPELIN in the ’70s — maybe wasn’t such a bad thing. Just because I’m a crusty, thrash-loving metalhead from the ’80s doesn’t mean I can tell Linkin Park fans their music isn’t important."

Click here for more.

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+ 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, MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, ALICE IN CHAINS and many more, Sam will investigate the history, myths and intricacies of metal.

The sneak peak of episode 2 (below) documents the beginning of the American Hard Rock movement and features interviews with members of the MC5, IGGY POP (talking about THE STOOGES), and TED NUGENT (talking about THE AMBOY DUKES):