From the creators of the award-winning short ‘No Weenies Allowed’ the new heavy metal animated series follows a headbanging were-pup as she navigates the challenges of a new town, a new school, and some serious rage issues; pilot episode ‘Welcome to Grimstone!’ is now streaming.
Lil Thrashers has shared the Lizzie Wilding: Heavy Metal Werewolf trailer, their latest animated series release since launching the award-winning short film No Weenies Allowed. The series recently debuted at various film festivals including the NYC and Seattle Independent Film Festivals, garnering six “Best Animation” awards across the events.
The series follows Lizzie Wilding, a headbanging were-pup, as she navigates the challenges of a new town, a new school, and some serious rage issues. Being the new kid is tough, but for Lizzie, it’s a supernatural struggle! As she tries to fit in, Lizzie battles an inner beast that won’t stay quiet, all while wondering… “is anyone even listening?”
Watch: Lizzie Wilding: Heavy Metal Werewolf: “Welcome to Grimstone!” trailer:
The ensemble cast features Ashley Ware Jenkins and Derrick Davis as Ma and Pa Wilding, alongside Anastasia Baranova (Z Nation, Open Season 3) as the animated Principal Shelley. Real-life heavy metal icons Morgan Lander of Kittie and Eva Korman of Rolo Tomassi bring moody grit to their roles as Bela and Piper, with Arson Alfaro voicing the titular Lizzie.
Lizzie is just one character in the monstrous world of Lil Thrashers - a group of young monsters, misfits, and mutants who live to thrash and thrash to live. Their regular haunt is the Catacombs, an underground rock club deep under the center of their hometown, Grimstone. They find strength in the thriving community of like-minded headbangers as they do their best to better themselves and make Grimstone a superior place to thrash.
“After a year of working on Lizzie, I have become very attached to all these characters,” commented series creator James Poirier. “It’s hard to not put yourself into every one of them. I love aggressive music. Metal, punk, and hardcore were a huge part of my youth and adulthood. It was a world that helped me find my own identity and become my own person to an extent. I think it became such a big part of my identity- so when I became a dad, and that became my identity, I wanted to share that stuff with my child and keep that part of my identity. But people look at you funny when you show up to the preschool blasting Necrophagist or something like that.”
He continued, “Despite its brutal exterior, I see metal as a catharsis - a healthy way to release toxic energy - which we all have bubbling up at some point or another. And despite its reputation, I think the metal and punk scene has only got better and more inclusive over the years. It's a good place for anyone to come together, have some fun, and support each other.”
“Music is at the heart of Lizzie Wilding: Heavy Metal Werewolf,” added Poirier. “A 3-song EP featuring tracks from the pilot episode will drop on all streaming platforms this Fall.”
If you’re in the mood for more headbanging good times, check out the pilot episode Lizzie Wilding: Heavy Metal Werewolf: “Welcome to Grimstone!”
Source: Lil Thrashers
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
