- "Ahh, Dead Metal. A cross between a hedgehog and a stealth bomber. At 370kgs, he's not the heaviest, but might be the wiliest of House Robots."
- — Jonathan Pearce, introducing Dead Metal in Meet the House Robots
Dead Metal was one of the four original House Robots from the UK TV series Robot Wars. Along with Shunt and Matilda, he was one of three to have appeared in every televised version of the show - including the Revival and international series.
Designed to resemble a mechanical scorpion that had reanimated from scrapyard objects, Dead Metal's signature features were a pair of front horizontal pincers and a circular saw that was originally mounted on an overhead arm. From Series 3 onwards, an enlarged saw was incorporated into a moving 'head' mechanism, giving later versions of the robot a unique appearance and weapons synergy.
In Dutch Robot Wars, BNN commentator Eric Corton often referred to the machine as Death Metal; however, "Dead Metal" was still used in introductions and on its statistics board.
The Robot Wars Technical Manual perpetuates Dead Metal as a robot from the future "Berserker" Empire of 16,000 AD. The Berserkers are cybernetically-enhanced humans ruling half the galaxy and utilising thermonuclear robots to invade resistant planets and execute political dissidents. Dead Metal was ostensibly brought back through a time loop and subdued.[2]
Dead Metal was originally built and mostly driven by John Boundy, while its weapons were operated by Andy Lazell. The redesigned Series 8-10 version was built primarily by James Cooper of Robo Challenge, who would often drive it in rotation with other Robo Challenge members.[3]
Design[]
Official promotional image of Dead Metal (Series 4, front view)
The rear end of the original Dead Metal
- "With Dead Metal, I just thought, 'Well, I just think we got to get something that comes - looks if it comes from a scrapyard.' Suddenly, all these pieces from a scrapyard have sort of, like, run together and formed themselves into - into a robot... it looked like a cross between a sort of lobster, and something that sort of formed from a scrapyard."
- — Chris Reynolds, Robot Wars: Ultimate Archive Collection: Sir Killalot and the House Robots
Dead Metal's design was generally among the most consistent of all House Robots, undergoing only three major revamps - between Series 1 and Series 2, between Series 2 and Series 3, and between Series 7 and Series 8. In all appearances, it retained three key elements - the horizontal pneumatic pincers, circular saw and steel exoskeleton, consisting of jagged armour plates and spiked struts as wheel guards. As well as grabbing hold of competitor machines, the pincers could also double as a battering ram when fully closed. All incarnations would also utilise a two-wheel drive system, a common layout shared by most other House Robots from both televised runs.
In Series 1 and 2, Dead Metal was originally going to be painted pink to match its lobster-like appearance, but was left grey to give it a more 'menacing' look. For much of his televised appearances in the Classic and international series, both the exoskeleton and weapons also received a distressed brown finish, further emphasising the 'scrapyard' aspect of his original theme. A reflective chromium silver paint scheme was adopted by Series 6, though maintaining a similarly-distressed finish.
The circular saw of the Series 1 incarnation was attached to a tail-like arm that would swing overhead from the robot's back end. The weapon mechanism contributed to both Chris Reynolds and Jonathan Pearce likening this iteration of Dead Metal to a scorpion, a comparison which would also stick for the robot's later appearances. During Series 1, the steel exoskeleton was simple in design, and as a result, its internal workings were visible and mostly unprotected. The cut-off sawblade was powered by a modified petrol strimmer motor,[4] which was unreliable and caused little damage. The arm rotated 180 degrees at its pivot, but moved very slowly. An air-powered system was used for the front pincers, which had each pincer being driven by its own ram.[5]
Dead Metal in Series 2
For Series 2, Dead Metal underwent a major overhaul that saw its capabilities improve tenfold. The petrol motor was replaced by an electric motor, and the original saw was exchanged for a new set of interchangeable cutters, including an 'Abrator'-branded disc and a diamond-edged disc used in later episodes. Meanwhile, the arm holding both discs was redesigned to run on a pneumatic ram and 80-degree pivot. Not only would this enable the discs to be brought down onto trapped competitors faster, but also make the weapon mechanism more reliable and simpler to operate. In practice, the new discs were much more durable and effective at cutting into competitors. The diamond cutter would prove the most damaging, with the additional capability of generating sparks upon slicing into metal materials. However, neither would give the production team the destructive power they wanted at this point in the original show's run.
The surrounding steel exoskeleton and armour setup was also completely changed, giving Dead Metal a much more complex and well-armoured appearance from all angles. Included in this setup were a set of mesh guards on either side and a spiked back plate, the latter concealing the pneumatics for his pincer and arm systems. The top surfaces of Dead Metal's pincers would also receive sets of pyramid-like spikes, which in later incarnations would be supplemented by or exchanged for claw-like tips.
Side elevation of Dead Metal (Series 4)
Dead Metal in Series 6
In Series 3, Dead Metal underwent further improvements, and gained the appearance and damage capability it would retain for the remainder of the show's original run. The saw/pneumatic arm configuration was replaced with a 96cc Stihl cut-off friction saw, of the same type used to cut steel and concrete on building sites. Running at 3,000rpm (alternatively 4,000rpm according to Chris Reynolds in Sir Killalot and the House Robots), the petrol-powered saw was mounted on a hinged assembly concealed within the front end, and protected on either side by a triangular face-like exoskeleton.
Dead Metal is reconstructed for Series 5
Dead Metal creating another shower of sparks
The triangular exoskeleton would become one of Dead Metal's most recognisable and famous design features, as would the revised saw mechanism itself. The mechanism would be moved forward via linear actuators to attack. As part of its design, the saw had to be moved forward slowly, otherwise the mechanism would jam. The overall impression was of a head moving forward to bite down on an opponent with the circular saw. This new system proved to be far more effective than the original grinding disc/arm configuration, capable of slicing deep into competitors, and producing spectacular sparks, particularly against metals like titanium (for example, Wheely Big Cheese's wheels). After Series 3, the saw began to lose effectiveness again, both as competitor robots' armour was upgraded over time and as a result of Dead Metal's age. It retained its ability to produce massive sparks, however, as well as cut into less durable armour materials.
Dead Metal during the Series 5 House Robot introductions; note the adjustable chassis height
The Series 3 redesign also introduced an adjustable height capability, enabling the front of Dead Metal's chassis to be raised and lowered. First showcased in Dead Metal's appearances throughout the same series, this was to allow the pincers to grab and the saw to cut other robots of differing heights. The functionality and reliability of this system was improved further for later Classic and international series. By the time of Extreme 1, Dead Metal could easily and spontaneously adjust the height of his weapons when mobile.
Rear view of Dead Metal at the time of Extreme 2
Dead Metal in the arena in Series 7
Over time, the original air-driven rams used to power the pincers were replaced by a single hydraulic actuator, itself running off a CO2-based pneumatic system. The new system instantly proved more powerful, durable and reliable, the ram itself stated by Chris Reynolds as having originally been used for the Floor Flipper. Otherwise, Dead Metal's weaponry, armour and exoskeleton would remain the same throughout the rest of the Classic run, with only a few minor modifications to improve protection and durability. The only other major revision was documented in the Series 6 souvenir programme, which mentions that Dead Metal's control systems were 'completely overhauled' by this time.[6]
- "He captures his prey before headbutting them with his magnesium 4,000rpm spinning cutting blade. It's like watching a surgeon at work only with less blood, more sparks and absolutely no medical qualifications! Ooh, that looks sore!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, Meet the House Robots
Dead Metal inside a CPZ (Series 8)
In 2016, Dead Metal appeared in the BBC's second teaser trailer for Series 8. A brand-new build was created by Robo Challenge for the reboot run (Revival Series), with James Cooper as lead builder,[3] featuring much larger dimensions overall. The front pincers opened with a span of 1.4 metres wide, offering a claimed gripping force of 300kg. Meanwhile, a 450mm magnesium sawblade ran at 4,000rpm, placed on a modernised hinged mechanism similar in form and function to the Series 3-7 incarnation. Other notable changes included a black paint scheme; a higher top speed of 13mph; orange-yellow LED power lights and 'eyes'; and a weight increase of over 200kg. The adjustable height system was also discarded to prioritise a consistently lower ground clearance. While incorporating more organic elements with an 'alien'-esque influence,[7] the new Dead Metal retained almost all of the main design features of the Series 3-7 version. The updated saw mechanism allowed this incarnation to once again cut through competitors with ease and create vast showers of sparks.
- "Dead Metal evolved to become a futuristic machine, she is a scorpion-like robot-killer with a blade that can chew into the toughest of advanced armours."
- — Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot, p.25, summarising the updated Dead Metal build[8]
In official publications such as Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot (co-written by James Cooper) and Robot Wars: The Official Handbook, the Series 8-10 build of Dead Metal is referred to as female,[9][10] although Jonathan Pearce still referred to it as male in Series 8-9 and the World Series specials. Build Your Own Robot also revealed that, following damage inflicted by Aftershock in Series 9, the pincers were replaced for Series 10 with a more durable set which proved to be largely scratch-resistant.[11]
Robot History[]
Series 1[]
- "And Dead Metal, with the pneumatic pincers and a steel cutting arm!"
- — Jonathan Pearce introduces Dead Metal in Series 1
Appearing in the UK Robot Wars series from the outset, Dead Metal was the fourth and final House Robot to be introduced in The First Wars, driven by Colin Tilley.[1] Alongside a presence in most Arena Semi-Final and Heat Final battles - stationed in the lower-right CPZ - he was also part of the Gauntlet line-up in Heats A, C and E-F.
Dead Metal (left) is brushed by Roadblock during the inaugural Gauntlet run
Dead Metal's involvement in Heat A began with the very first Gauntlet run by Roadblock. After being nudged by the Bodmin Community College entry, he was ultimately unable to stop it from reaching the end zone. Instead, Dead Metal took a glancing blow from Matilda's chainsaw as he crashed into the railings on the right-hand side. Dead Metal was also slow to intercept Nemesis during its run on the centre route, the Irish machine completing the course without much difficulty. Grunt, a stock robot driven by Matthew Dickinson, even wedged underneath the back of him at the start of the penultimate run. Dead Metal resisted by pushing Grunt backwards into the railings. Upon releasing it, however, he was again wedged pincer-first against the railings. Grunt would again complete the course despite Matilda's attempt to block it further down.
Dead Metal (background) forces Killertron onto the springs
During Killertron's run, Dead Metal initially shuttled between the right-hand route and the seesaw on the centre route. In doing so, he clashed with the pink Team Trojan machine, bumping, nudging and forcing it over one of the 'corkscrew lance' drills. Sergeant Bash briefly took over as Dead Metal backed into the right-hand lane, with Killertron getting itself stuck between the ramp and the first set of springs. With Killertron blocked, Dead Metal traversed the ramp to close in and push it off the platform. Time ran out for Killertron shortly after, whose final distance was confirmed to be 11.02 metres.
Dead Metal grips Nemesis
In the first Arena Semi-Final, Dead Metal tracked Nemesis' movements as it followed Roadblock through and out of his corner. He would also grab Nemesis during a moment not shown in the televised Heat A, before the latter was torched by Sergeant Bash and eliminated. Dead Metal briefly clashed with Roadblock later on in the Heat Final, while the latter paraded Killertron around on its wedge shape. His role was minimal, however, as Roadblock succeeded in turning its opponent over. During the end credits, Dead Metal briefly joined the other House Robots in attacking the inverted Killertron, by this point fitted with a smaller disc.
Dead Metal (bottom-left) blocks Leighbot during British Bulldog (Heat B)
All four House Robots, including Dead Metal, would be present for the British Bulldog Trial in Heat B, marking the first of his four appearances in this episode. With his arm sporting a tyre attachment also used in Football, he initially kept in the lower-left corner as four of the five surviving competitors tried to navigate around the spiked pyramids. Dead Metal eventually blocked and started pushing Leighbot back, into the temporarily-stranded Scrapper. Together with Shunt, he helped pin Leighbot sideways between the centre-most pyramids. From that point, Dead Metal was more hesitant, and would not assist Shunt further in trying to stop Leighbot from reaching the end zone. However, he and Shunt would go on to pressure Mortis, which was the first competitor to qualify by a considerable margin.
In the first Heat B Semi-Final, Dead Metal briefly clashed with Recyclopse, whacking it with both his right pincer and wheel attachment. This occurred immediately before Rex Garrod's machine turned Scrapper over in a record-setting knockout charge. Dead Metal's involvement in the other Arena Semi-Final (Mortis vs Leighbot), along with the Heat Final (Mortis vs Recyclopse), was otherwise minimal.
Dead Metal and Shunt struggle to impede Robot The Bruce
The Heat C Gauntlet runs saw Dead Metal once again occupying the right-hand route, now guarding the end zone. Partnered with Shunt, he would block and push Dreadnaut back, before ramming it with his back framework. Despite Dead Metal and Shunt's efforts, Dreadnaut would still complete the course, but not without suffering an internal fire. Dead Metal would later travel to the start to block the stranded Plunderbird 1, but arrived too late to deal any notable damage. He would do the same when WYSIWYG and Shunt both got beached on the see-saw, nudging his fellow House Robot, and inadvertently freeing the stock robot piloted by Michelle Wheeley.
Against Wedgehog, Dead Metal moved to the left of the end zone, awaiting the London-based lightweight as it struggled to clear the Arena Spikes. He would not get the chance to attack, however, as Wedgehog ran out of time to complete the course. Dead Metal resumed his initial tactics during the last run by Robot The Bruce, taking a broadside ram as it started blocking George Francis and Mick Cutter's machine. This would be to no avail, as his reversing and spinning allowed Robot The Bruce to push him forwards into the end zone railings. Dead Metal backed out; Robot The Bruce capitalised by driving into the zone unhindered.
- "But scoring isn't that easy, because the goal's defended by Dead Metal. And if you get too close to these scissors... [Clarkson taps the outside of Dead Metal's right pincer with his foot; the camera zooms in as the pincers close] it really will be "a game of two halves!""
- — Jeremy Clarkson introduces Dead Metal as the Football goalkeeper
Dead Metal (bottom-right) guards the Series 1 Football goal
Dead Metal (left) fails to stop Robot The Bruce again
Dead Metal's Heat C appearance also saw him being used as the goalkeeper in Football. The arm again swapped the saw for the tyre attachment, enabling him to hit and steer the ball away from the goal.
In the first round, he initially pointed towards Dreadnaut and Robot The Bruce, as they tried to dribble the ball into and within the lower-right corner. When Wedgehog and Cruella performed a similar action, Dead Metal spun and flung the ball away from the former's hold with his right pincer.
- "Oooh, good save by Dead Metal! Get it away! Magnificent stuff!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal defends the goal from Wedgehog
Dead Metal took a side-on ram from WYSIWYG, then tried spinning again in a bid to defend the net from Robot The Bruce. With Robot The Bruce some distance away, he was otherwise unable to stop it from scoring the first goal and qualifying.
A tentative start to the second round saw Dead Metal snap his pincers in front of Dreadnaut. This would be followed by a collision with WYSIWYG, then a crucial mistake while he tried to defend the goal from both Wedgehog and Cruella. With his right pincer, he accidentally tapped, then pushed the ball into the open goal, assisted by a shove from Cruella. Wedgehog was the last competitor deemed to have touched the ball up to that point, enabling it to qualify.
- "It's an open goal! You’ve got to score here! But who did score? Well, very interesting! Let's have a look at the replay. It was Wedgehog that got the deflectioooonnn! Over the line, surely?"
- — Jonathan Pearce, over Dead Metal's own goal and the subsequent replay
Dead Metal (top, centre-right) rests as Dreadnaut and WYSIWYG await their fate; note the tyre attachment
In the third round, Dead Metal grabbed and dragged the immobile Dreadnaut back into his marked zone. While anticipating another goal by Cruella, he was rammed again by WYSIWYG, prompting Dead Metal to whack it with the tyre. WYSIWYG crashed into the goal support and stopped moving; Dead Metal was similarly pushed aside by Cruella as the University of East London machine scored. While it is unclear whether Dead Metal's attack was enough to damage WYSIWYG, the latter was deemed to have 'broken down' alongside Dreadnaut, and was ultimately eliminated.
In the Arena Semi-Final between Robot The Bruce and Cruella, Dead Metal briefly scrapped with the former after Cruella immobilised itself over a nearby Grille. Unusually, he was completely absent from the episode's Heat Final (Robot The Bruce vs Wedgehog), the first time that fewer than four House Robots would be present in a UK Series battle.
Dead Metal prepares to attack the stranded Bugs
Beginning with the Arena Semi-Finals of Heat D, Dead Metal performed more aggressive attacks towards competitors, usually following immobilisations or encounters with hazards. The first instance was exhibited in Cunning Plan vs Bugs from this episode, where he closed in on and shoved the latter featherweight after it spun into and got stuck on the left Grille. Backing out and closing his pincers, Dead Metal gave Bugs another ram, before whacking it multiple times with them and the tyre attachment. In Demolisher vs SAT'arn, he briefly joined the other House Robots as they attacked the immobilised Essex machine towards the end. Dead Metal, using the tyre, whacked SAT'arn just as and after 'Cease' was called.
Dead Metal occupied the right-hand Gauntlet route once more in Heat E. Despite being close to the end zone, he made no attempt to stop Full Metal Anorak or Bodyhammer from completing their runs via the left-hand route. When REALI-T traversed over the ramp on the centre route, Dead Metal lunged and tried to grab it, though REALI-T had already crossed into the end zone by the time he did so.
Dead Metal's pincers claw through the head of Torque of the Devil
In the Heat E Semi-Finals, Dead Metal inflicted his most damaging attacks of the series, his pincers spearing through the plaster head of Torque of the Devil after Bodyhammer pushed it onto the side bars. He would end up beaching himself on the same side bars moments later. Dead Metal tried to approach Torque of the Devil again in spite of this, but was rammed from the left-hand side by Robin Herrick's machine. During REALI-T vs Full Metal Anorak, he briefly swiped the latter as it drove past the boundary of his CPZ. Dead Metal was also rammed again by Bodyhammer during its Heat Final against REALI-T, but would play no part in the former's controversial victory.
Dead Metal attacks The Blob in the Heat F Gauntlet
Dead Metal's Gauntlet stint in Heat F began with a successful block on The Blob, as the latter drove into one of the spiked pyramids while trying to outdrive Sergeant Bash through the right-hand route. Both House Robots teamed up to push The Blob through the skittles into the centre route, with Matilda also driving in to assist. Similarly, Dead Metal blocked T.R.A.C.I.E's path through the same lane, eventually pushing it back towards Sergeant Bash as all House Robots closed in. By that point in the run, his circular saw was chipped and appeared to wobble noticeably as he reversed. Dead Metal also repeatedly impeded a fast Eubank the Mouse, but later backed out, allowing Steve Dove to drive the stock robot past Matilda and into the end zone. Against Skarab, Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash both boxed it in halfway through the lane. The torque of Chris Crosskey's machine, however, would help it brush past Dead Metal to reach the end zone as well.
Dead Metal (centre-right) nudges Skarab as he and Matilda separate the Heat F Finalists
In the second Arena Semi-Final of Heat F, Dead Metal would ram Prince of Darkness as it and T.R.A.C.I.E. came under attack from Sergeant Bash. His last appearance of the series followed immediately after, in T.R.A.C.I.E. and Skarab's Heat Final clash. After T.R.A.C.I.E. jabbed Skarab with its spears, Dead Metal and Matilda both left their corners to separate both competitors. Dead Metal pushed Skarab forwards, retreating once the latter was able to turn left. Later on, he briefly collided with Matilda as she proceeded to cut Skarab's aerial. Following this, Dead Metal retreated to his CPZ again, shortly after positioning himself along the left side of Skarab.
According to a 2007 blog by original series producer Tom Gutteridge, a serious accident involving Dead Metal reportedly occurred during the second day of filming. While cutting into an unidentified competitor, the saw flew off and across the arena at over 200mph, embedding itself in a concrete wall behind where Jeremy Clarkson was standing. Additional polycarbonate screens (quoted to be made from Perspex) were installed for the Arena Semi-Final stage onwards, with Gutteridge claiming that filming was delayed by 'a week' so that they could be implemented.[12] Though Dead Metal was often seen without his main saw in Trial and Arena events, it is unclear whether this was a direct effect of the incident, as other robots with similar weaponry (e.g. Roadblock, Sergeant Bash) continued to use them at those stages.
Series 2[]
In The Second Wars, an upgraded Dead Metal continued to make regular appearances throughout the main series. While the series brought greater variety between House Robot allocations, helped by the introduction of Sir Killalot, he would still be present for the majority of Arena battles, including those aired in the end-of-series Grudge Matches special. Dead Metal would remain in the Gauntlet allocations for Heats B, E-H, J and L, plus the second Semi-Final, and would alternate with other House Robots in various Trial events.
Dead Metal and Shunt trap Napalm during its Heat Final against Demolition Demon
Though Dead Metal was introduced alongside the other House Robots in Heat A, using the intro clip from The First Wars, his first proper appearance did not occur until the Heat Final between Napalm and Demolition Demon. Taking his usual place in the bottom-right corner - now part of the Perimeter Patrol Zone (PPZ) - he briefly brushed Demolition Demon while it was being pushed over the Flame Pit by the new Dartford Girls Grammar entry. Dead Metal would catch Napalm in the lower perimeter moments later, dragging it backwards into the corner and into Matilda's reach. In response, Napalm would briefly drive under Dead Metal from the side, before Dead Metal charged into both competitors at a later point in the match.
Dead Metal inadvertently helps Mace complete its Gauntlet run
In his Gauntlet duties throughout Heat B, Dead Metal patrolled the right-hand route, with Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash as the other allocated House Robots. The first run, involving Mace, saw him attempt to intervene as the newcomer pushed Sergeant Bash towards the end zone from the centre lane. Dead Metal, pushing both robots with his pincers, inadvertently helped Mace enter the zone as he rammed it into the lower railings.
Dead Metal traps Wheelosaurus, seconds after the latter removes Sergeant Bash's flamethrower
Dead Metal would again position himself behind the centre route during Wheelosaurus' run. Here, he blocked the path of Peter Gibson's axlebot and rammed it into Sergeant Bash, before it could have a chance to reach the end zone. As Wheelosaurus proceeded to puncture and pull off Sergeant Bash's flamethrower, Dead Metal forced it into the left-hand railings, while dragging and cutting into its main body. Dead Metal would play no part in Death Trak, Leighviathan and Tantrum's attempts, but would again team up with Sergeant Bash to block Chaos' path through the centre route. As with Mace, this barricade would be foiled, with Dead Metal only lunging at Chaos once it crossed the end zone.
Dead Metal challenges Leighviathan in Tug of War
Dead Metal's next appearances in Heat B followed swiftly after, as he was the House Robot chosen for the episode's Tug of War Trial. Through his involvement, he carried out the first pittings in Robot Wars' history, dragging both Tantrum and Wheelosaurus into the open Pit of Oblivion. Dead Metal's runs against Leighviathan and Mace ended with a stalemate, both competitors surviving the full duration.
Dead Metal is dragged to defeat by Chaos
Ahead of Chaos' turn, Philippa Forrester and George Francis openly expressed their hope of seeing Dead Metal be pulled into the pit. This hope would be realised by Chaos during its own run. Dead Metal attempted to resist the powerful drive of Francis and Mike Cutter's machine, but was gradually pulled closer to the edge. A few sideways jerks hampered Dead Metal's grip on the platform, with Chaos dragging him far enough for him to balance over and slide down the ledge. One last pull threw him off the ledge and into the open Pit - the only time a House Robot would be pitted in Tug of War.
- "This is a battle of pride here, because Chaos is doing enough, surely, to go through anyway. But it wants Dead Metal in that Pit! It wants Dead Metal submerged, in the smoke! CAN HE PULL DEAD METAL IIIIIIIIN? HUMILIATION FOR THE HOUSE ROBOT!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Chaos drags Dead Metal into the Tug of War Pit
One of Dead Metal's spikes catches and bends Leighviathan's chainsaw
In the first Heat B Arena Semi-Final, Dead Metal would become involved once Mace pushed Leighviathan into his section of the PPZ. Leighviathan, lifted onto its right wheels, ended up backing onto his right pincer, and would in turn be ambushed by Shunt as it was forced off. Dead Metal would end up getting snagged on Leighviathan's chainsaw, but would use this moment to bend the weapon out of shape as he, Matilda and Sir Killalot attacked both competitors. By that point, he would control and attack Mace with both of his weapons, though this would not stop Mace from taking the subsequent Judges' decision.
Dead Metal pushes Chaos against (and almost through) the railings
Dead Metal would again spar with Chaos following its victory in the second Heat B Semi-Final. A tentative stand-off lead to him chasing, grasping and pushing Chaos into the railings, at one point pulling the left-hand wall apart completely. Chaos responded with a few powerful rams of its own, leading to it getting grasped once more. By the time 'Cease' was called, the back cover protecting Dead Metal's pneumatics had been dislodged, and was ejected completely as he spun near the centre of the arena. Following this battle, George Francis and Mike Cutter both felt that this skirmish was potentially a 'grudge match' responding to Chaos' Tug of War victory.
Following Chaos' Heat Final loss against Mace, Dead Metal was quick to shove the upturned Ipswich machine into Shunt. A bump into Sir Killalot was followed by another charge into Chaos in the left-hand side of the PPZ. The latter allowed a nearby Matilda to tip Chaos onto its back again, the battle ending shortly after.
Dead Metal appeared in every Arena fight from Heat C. Firstly, he rammed and briefly grasped Dreadnaut following its non-start against Oblivion, but otherwise played little part in the other House Robots' attacks on the former. A background appearance in the second Semi-Final (Rameses II vs Mortis) was followed by a late contribution in the Heat Final, where Dead Metal - minus his saw - lunged at and pushed Mortis once Oblivion pushed it within reach of him. Dead Metal would in turn ram and pinch Oblivion from the left-hand side. Despite its attacks at that point, Team Trinity's machine ultimately lost the battle.
Dead Metal scores an own goal at Razer's gain
Heat D saw Dead Metal reprise his role as goalkeeper in Football, with Sergeant Bash accompanying him as a defender. His initial attempt to defend the goal against Razer, however, unravelled quickly. Though blocking and forcing Razer back, he accidentally caught and steered the ball into the goal with his left pincer. Razer would be the first robot of the surviving quintet to qualify for the Arena Semi-Finals.
- "Dead Metal comes across, to block the goal, there at the near post! Trying to protect with THE ARMS - IT'S GONE IN OFF THE DEFLECTION, though! Razer will claim it!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal scores an own goal while defending the Football net against Razer
The second and third rounds would prove equally disastrous for Dead Metal. In the former, he quickly blocked the lower-right corner, attempting to stop Elvis, Milly-Ann Bug and Behemoth from being able to score from that area. He was not, however, able to prevent Behemoth from scoring, having strayed away from his patrol area while warding it and Elvis off. Similarly, a charge at Inquisitor caused Dead Metal to stray into the middle of the arena, giving the former the chance to score through the now-unoccupied goal. The ball rolled into the scoring zone seconds after he slammed into the back of the net.
- "Oh, what on earth's DEAD METAL DOING?! HE'S COMMITTED HIMSELF FROM GOAL! INQUISITOR MUST SCORE - IT DOES! They're through, Inquisitor! A mistake by Dead Metal!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, observing a critical driving error by Dead Metal against Inquisitor
Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash attack Milly-Ann Bug in the last Heat D Football round
At the start of the fourth round, Dead Metal spun around to swipe Elvis with his pincers, before settling under the goal net. He and Sergeant Bash would then attack Milly-Ann Bug, and would continue to do so long after the round concluded. With Elvis gaining possession and a mostly clear run to the 'unmarked' net, neither House Robot was able to prevent it from scoring the last goal. Dead Metal closed in as Elvis flicked the ball towards him, but in doing so punted the ball in with one of his pincers. While not addressed as such on television, this action was effectively the second instance where Dead Metal scored an own goal within this Trial.
Sparks fly as Dead Metal rams Elvis' grinder with his pincer
Inquisitor is left in the clutches of Dead Metal and Matilda; note the broken saw
Dead Metal's appearances in the Heat D Arena stages included the second Semi-Final (Elvis vs Behemoth), along with the Heat Final. The former saw him smash into the back of Elvis while the latter was lifted by Behemoth. Sparks flew as his left pincer made contact with Elvis' grinding disc. Alongside Matilda and Shunt, Dead Metal later pinned and pushed Elvis in the PPZ, starting from the lower-left corner, the House Robots causing noticeable damage to its shell.
In the Heat Final itself, Dead Metal, Sir Killalot and Matilda would all pounce on Inquisitor, after Behemoth pushed it into the lower-right corner of the PPZ. While grasping Inquisitor, he was lifted by both of his fellow House Robots, ultimately getting hooked on Sir Killalot's lance as the latter turned Inquisitor onto its back. Prior to this, Dead Metal broke his saw in a separate collision with Behemoth, a moment mentioned in Episode 4 of Robot Wars Revealed. A large piece of the saw was retrieved and presented by Anthony Pritchard as a 'souvenir'.
Dead Metal (right) traps and carves into Killertron, while the Team Trojan competitor exchanges axe attacks with Shunt
Dead Metal brings his non-spinning 'Abrator' disc onto Technophobic
As in Heat B, Dead Metal patrolled the right-hand route in the Heat E Gauntlet runs. Together with Shunt, he initially blocked Killertron's way as the latter struggled to clear the centre see-saw. Dead Metal followed this up by repeatedly carving into the front-left corner of Killertron, countering the axe blows Team Trojan's machine had dealt to Shunt up to this point.
While playing no part in Schumey or Spin Doctor's runs, he again helped Shunt block the end of the centre route when ORAC and Technophobic took the same path. Though this combined effort did not stop ORAC from passing through a gap on the left-hand side, Dead Metal drove into and clamped Technophobic against the end of the see-saw ramp. An attempt to cut through Technophobic's shell, however, amounted to nothing, as the Abrator-branded disc was not functioning. Regardless, both House Robots cornered Technophobic against the right-hand railings; Dead Metal blocked it once more just as 'Cease' was called.
Dead Metal and Killertron (left) are stuck together during the first King of the Castle run
Dead Metal would initially collaborate with Shunt again in the first King of the Castle run, involving Killertron. Of the two House Robots, he was the first to engage, charging into Killertron with his pincers and tanking an axe blow to his grinding arm. Colliding with Shunt - himself stuck on his own entry ramp - Dead Metal pushed Killertron back towards the middle with his rear spike. The two machines shuffled side-by-side, Dead Metal scuffing and pushing Killertron back with Shunt's assistance. In the scrap, he turned and was forced close to the lower-left edge, where Killertron slammed its pickaxe down onto Dead Metal's centre framework. Both robots became stuck together, with Killertron surviving the maximum duration before Shunt could push the pair off the platform. For the rest of the episode's Trial runs, Dead Metal would be substituted by Matilda.
Dead Metal briefly grasps Technophobic during the Heat E Final
Dead Metal was present in all Heat E arena battles, but without making any major contributions. In the first Semi-Final, he was seen in the background when ORAC, immobilised by a broken drive chain, was roasted on the Flame Pit while being repeatedly axed by Killertron. After making no impact in the second Semi-Final (Technophobic vs Spin Doctor), he would briefly seize Technophobic once Killertron pushed it towards his corner in the Heat Final. With Killertron going on to pit Technophobic and progress to the Series Semi-Finals, Dead Metal would briefly be seen ramming it during the end credits.
Panic Attack lands on top of Dead Metal
During Panic Attack's Gauntlet run in Heat F, Dead Metal blocked the end of the see-saw on the centre route. This would have major implications for the Welsh newcomer, as it could not clear the ramp before it was held upwards by a pursuing Sir Killalot. Panic Attack launched off the ramp directly onto Dead Metal, where it became trapped and was repeatedly axed by Shunt.
- "Killalot coming in, but holding the see-saw DOWN! Ooh, that's demonic, AND THAT'S EVEL KNIEVEL, from Panic Attack! But Dead Metal's waiting!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Panic Attack lands on Dead Metal during its Heat F Gauntlet run
Dead Metal pushes Corporal Punishment back towards the Ramrigs
Dead Metal would also intercept Corporal Punishment on its run through the right-hand lane. While pushing Adam Clark's machine all the way back to the Ramrigs, an overshoot into the Ramrigs themselves allowed Corporal Punishment to escape and reach the end zone.
Dead Metal manipulates the see-saw during Ron's Gauntlet run
In the next two runs, Dead Metal pushed the see-saw ramp before Ron and Disruptor could cross it, hampering their escapes from Sir Killalot. In Ron's case, he held the ramp long enough for the Cranfield University entry to reverse off and land on his right pincer. Similarly to Panic Attack's run, Dead Metal held Ron in place while Shunt dented and punctured its shell with his axe. Towards the end of that particular run, he would end up getting hooked by Sir Killalot as the latter attempted to join in the attacks on Ron. Dead Metal also drove into a spiked pyramid while approaching a stricken Whirling Dervish, and unsuccessfully tried to stop Sir Killalot from carrying it further down the centre route.
Dead Metal holds an inverted Whirling Dervish over the Flame Pit
Dead Metal appeared in all Heat F Arena fights. In the Semi-Finals, he first grabbed and dragged Whirling Dervish onto the Flame Pit after it was turned over by Panic Attack. While unable to bring his saw into reach, he again allowed Matilda and Shunt to damage Whirling Dervish with their chainsaw and axe respectively. Dead Metal later rammed the back of Corporal Punishment during its own Semi-Final against Disruptor, though both competitors would survive to a Judges' decision. He would conversely be relegated to a background appearance in the Heat Final, which ended in Panic Attack pushing Disruptor into the Pit.
Dead Metal blocks and grinds the top of Onslaught
In Heat G, Dead Metal was one of the first regular House Robots to be used in the updated Gauntlet course. For much of the remaining Heat runs, he would be paired with the newly-introduced Sentinel, guarding the space on the left-hand route between the second Pit and the end zone. While Dead Metal would not be seen in Roadblock's run - allowing it to clear the lane - he would catch Onslaught as it tried to navigate past and was turned around by The Sentinel. Sparks flew as Dead Metal's saw clipped Onslaught's scoop multiple times, while he held the Bedford newcomer against the railings. Dead Metal's attacks brought Onslaught back into the path of The Sentinel's arm, which collected and forced it into the Pit.
'DeadCam' observes as R.O.C.S. is turned over by Sir Killalot
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot would later attempt to block Nemesis in the right-hand route, moments after Sergeant Bash torched the returning Irish machine. An attempt to box Nemesis into the left railings would not last, with Nemesis eventually pushing past Sir Killalot and crossing the end zone boundary. All three House Robots would block R.O.C.S. from traversing the same route, with the Sievers family machine being turned onto its side by Sir Killalot. After 'Cease' was called, Dead Metal re-righted R.O.C.S. with a violent shove. Dead Metal also pinned Limpet against the railings in the centre route, but could not get his diamond cutter within reach of its top panel. His intervention proved critical, however, as Sir Killalot proceeded to snap Limpet's left track with his jaws of life.
Dead Metal catches Killerhurtz on the end zone boundary
For Killerhurtz's run, Dead Metal returned to the left-hand lane. There, he caught John Reid's machine as it sped past The Sentinel, stopping it from reaching the end zone. The force of Killerhurtz's ram again knocked the back plate off Dead Metal, though he would still help The Sentinel control Killerhurtz into the waiting Pit.
- "Powerful and quick, with John Reid, Dominic Parkinson and Rebecca Reaston-Brown! And a good surge, but against The Sentinel ooh, well, well-TIMED! OFF THE LINE BY DEAD METAL, BUT DID THEY CROSS THE LINE?! COME ON JUDGES, I'M SURE THEY WERE THROUGH! Dead Metal, push them back! And Dead Metal hurt! They're in the pit! Look at the damage they caused, but did they do enough there? This is controversial!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's whole commentary as as Dead Metal intercepts and takes collision damage from Killerhurtz
An unchanged House Robot line-up saw Dead Metal make his first and only appearances in the Skittles Trial from the same Heat. Though playing no part in Roadblock, Nemesis or Limpet's attempts, he would ram Onslaught from the side as time ran out on its 57 barrels run. Together with Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash, Dead Metal would surround Killerhurtz in the lower-left corner, after a speed controller issue left it stuck against the railings in reverse drive. Killerhurtz would otherwise escape with no House Robot damage, and the highest score of the remaining competitors at 64 barrels.
Dead Metal turns Killerhurtz into the Pit
Dead Metal (bottom, centre) pierces the back of a victorious Roadblock
Following Killerhurtz's immobilisation in its Arena Semi-Final against Roadblock, Dead Metal would tank a blow from the reigning champion's saw in the middle of the arena. He would join Shunt, Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash in attacking the fallen Killerhurtz, clamping and grazing its Lexan armour while turning it into the nearby Pit. Dead Metal would also briefly trap Onslaught as it drove into the lower-right corner during its battle against Nemesis. He and Sergeant Bash attacked Onslaught within the PPZ boundaries, though Onslaught would still survive to pit Nemesis and win.
With Onslaught unable to move at all in the Heat Final, Dead Metal initially seized and tried to cut through its scoop once more. Later on, he speared his right pincer through the back of Roadblock, damaging its saw mechanism, while the victorious Bodmin Community College machine was held against the back railings by Matilda.
Dead Metal grapples with Cassius
Dead Metal sends Loco into the Pit
In Heat H, Dead Metal began his Gauntlet stint by catching a speeding Cassius and pushing it into the railings on the left-hand route. These movements could not prevent Cassius from reaching the end zone, though Dead Metal would still grapple and box Rex Garrod's new heavyweight into the corner. On the same route, Dead Metal enjoyed more success against Loco and Sting, blocking, cutting and controlling both into the second Pit. In the case of Sting, he would leave multiple cuts into the top of its mild steel shell, with The Sentinel helping to push the 1 Law Associates machine over the Pit edge.
Dead Metal cuts into the top of Sting
Dead Metal carves the partially-immobile Rampage
Dead Metal (right), about to push Wizard into oblivion
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot would next gang up on Rampage, after the latter was partially immobilised by the left arena spike. Here, he would ram, dent and gouge Rampage from the sides, while cutting the top of its shell open. In the last run of the episode, where Wizard drove itself onto the edge of the first Pit, Dead Metal approached and forced it down completely. Not content with this, he proceeded to slice the top of Wizard's hat, to booing from audience members and similar disapproval from Jonathan Pearce.
The Heat H Arena stages initially saw Dead Metal attack GroundHog in its Semi-Final, after it veered into and attempted to attack Sir Killalot in the PPZ. Pushing, dragging and attempting to cut into GroundHog, he released Team RFM's machine before it was collected and sent into the Pit by Matilda. In the second Semi-Final, Dead Metal was scooped up by Cassius early on, though Rex Garrod would later shove Wizard near his and Sergeant Bash's vicinity. A forward surge caused him to push the lower wall railings out of alignment, with Dead Metal remaining idle in the PPZ for some time, while trapping Wizard there along with Sergeant Bash.
Dead Metal, Matilda and Shunt attempt to pin and damage Cassius
Once Loco was turned over in the Heat H Final, Dead Metal rammed and pushed it into the upper-right grinders, though he would again be distracted and scooped up by Cassius. Cassius' efforts would result in Dead Metal trying to grapple Rex Garrod's machine from the front, with Matilda lifting both machines simultaneously with her tusks. At that point, Dead Metal was showered in sparks projected from the front of Matilda, but was otherwise unaffected and responded by approaching her from the right-hand side. Both House Robots would be lifted in their next duel with Cassius, whose front-hinged ram turned Matilda over. Dead Metal would next grab the back of Cassius next to the Pit, backing out to let Shunt and Sergeant Bash push the victorious competitor in.
Dead Metal (bottom-right) tussles with RoboDoc
Dead Metal's appearances in Heat I were confined to the Arena stages only. The first Semi-Final between RoboDoc and King Buxton would see him ram and push Mike Franklin's machine within the PPZ, after it had already been pushed into it by the latter. However, he was unable to get his saw to damage RoboDoc's tracks or top armour, while RoboDoc hooked its arm under his pincers in response. Another brush with RoboDoc followed moments later, though Dead Metal would not respond to this. The second Semi-Final (Prometheus vs All Torque) saw less involvement, though Dead Metal would briefly leave his PPZ to give All Torque a cursory nudge. While Dead Metal would occupy the left perimeter, where King Buxton pushed All Torque over the Pit, he would not play a part in the Scottish machine's elimination from the Heat Final. Instead, he and Shunt would grapple with King Buxton in the main combat zone, with All Torque being toppled in by Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal takes a "shove" into the Pit from Talos
Dead Metal's spell in the Heat J Gauntlet initially saw him patrol the left-hand route alongside Matilda and Shunt, with The Sentinel being absent from all runs. The first run - involving Talos - would see him miss the Oldham competitor after it managed to navigate past Matilda. Dead Metal backed precariously close to the first Pit, as he and Shunt proceeded to pin Talos against the railings. Having abandoned an attempt to cut through Talos’ top armour, a backwards surge sent him careering into the same Pit, with Talos following closely behind.
- "And steady progress made by Talos. Still the... barrel, in the way. Not exactly a barrel of laughs as Dead Metal comes in, and - OH, HA, HA! DEAD METAL'S gone! Brilliant! I'm not sure what role Talos played, but they love it! Let's have a look! It was a little shove from Talos... and only the pincers remain! That's splendid stuff!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Dead Metal backs into the Pit during Talos' Gauntlet run
Dead Metal is retrieved from the Gauntlet Pit
Each of Dead Metal's weapons clasped at thin air and twitched as he rested vertically on the tyre stack beneath. While Shunt and Matilda attacked Talos, a swing from his saw arm caused him to cut into the right-hand railing until 'Cease' was called. The process of extracting Dead Metal from the Pit would be shown in Robot Wars Revealed, Episode 10, with Mat Irvine among the crewmembers hauling him back out.
Dead Metal grapples with G.B.H.; note the damage inflicted to G.B.H.'s scoop
Dead Metal played no role in the next two runs - being substituted by Sergeant Bash for Ivanhoe's run - but helped Shunt block Penetrator as it navigated the centre route. In doing so, he controlled Penetrator backwards into a spiked pyramid next to the see-saw, while cutting into one of its top panels.
- "And now, in comes... the pressure and the punishment! G.B.H. - Grisly Brutish Hurt, from the House Robots!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal inflicts damage to G.B.H.'s shell and scoop
Dead Metal also joined Matilda in pressuring Kill Dozer, which got itself beached on the see-saw, before catching and dealing major damage to the front of G.B.H. during the last run of this Heat. As well as cutting into G.B.H.'s fibreglass exterior, his diamond disc tore and pulled its front scoop blade out of shape. Dead Metal and G.B.H. pushed each other back and forth, though the House Robots could not stop Team On-The-Edge and their machine from reaching the end zone.
Dead Metal and Shunt seal Kill Dozer's fate in the Heat J Arena Semi-Finals
The first Heat J Semi-Final saw Dead Metal and Shunt trap Kill Dozer in the PPZ, while it was being pushed within the area by Ivanhoe. He would ram both competitors with his pincers, while scraping the front of the Weightmans' machine with his saw. Dead Metal kept tussling with Ivanhoe in the background, while Sir Killalot picked up, roasted and dumped Kill Dozer into the Pit. He would play no part in G.B.H.'s subsequent victories over Talos (Arena Semi-Final) and Ivanhoe (Heat Final), both battles officially ending after G.B.H. turned each of its opponents over.
- "Now, Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash will be stormin' the ramparts. Our contenders will be pouring boiling oil over their efforts. Will the kings keep their heads? Or will the House Robots cook them off and turn them into novelty ashtrays? Only time will tell... let the Trials begin!"
- — Craig Charles' introduction to the Heat K King of the Castle, featuring Dead Metal
Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash struggle to push Enzyme away from the centre
Dead Metal (left), about to push Mega Hurts out of the "Castle"
Dead Metal's first appearances in Heat K marked his return to the King of the Castle Trial, now partnered with Sergeant Bash. In the first run, he immediately pounced on and cut into the front of Demon. With assistance from Sergeant Bash, he would shove Nick Adams' machine off the platform after 27.47 seconds. A more tentative start against Enzyme saw Dead Metal being whacked by and attempting to push the Eastbourne machine around in circles. Neither House Robot succeeded in pushing Enzyme away from the centre.
Against The Mule, Dead Metal got his saw between the front forklift of Roger Plant's machine, but was briefly pushed back towards his entry ramp. In response, he pushed The Mule into Sergeant Bash's saw and held it near the centre until time expired. Bright sparks flew as both House Robots repeatedly cut into the Somerset machine’s armour with their saws. At the start of Mega Hurts' run, Dead Metal bumped into one of the 'ramparts', but quickly turned to ram and ultimately force Mega Hurts into a critical driving error. With the computer-themed competitor teetering on the edge, he shoved it off the platform, though not without him and Sergeant Bash immediately following suit.
Both House Robots are dispatched by Plunderbird 2
The last run, featuring Plunderbird 2, began tentatively. Dead Metal approached and drove up the front of the improved International Wreck Crew entry, where he was gingerly pushed back into the lower-right 'rampart'. Once both robots separated, he barged another two 'ramparts' off the platform, only to get collected and shoved off by Plunderbird 2. Seconds later, Plunderbird 2 pushed Sergeant Bash off as well, completing its redemption following a disastrous Gauntlet run.
Dead Metal (right, behind the swinging pendulum), confronts The Mule during its Arena Semi-Final
Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash would dice with The Mule again in its Arena Semi-Final against Demon, trapping it in the PPZ alongside Shunt. Here, he again tried to cut through the top of The Mule's shell, though The Mule would still be declared the winner on a Judges' decision. Following a background appearance in the second Semi-Final, he would briefly pressure The Mule again during its Heat Final match against Plunderbird 2, albeit outside the PPZ.
Dead Metal attacks Vercingetorix in the Heat L Gauntlet
Dead Metal intercepts Haardvark
In the Heat L Gauntlet, Dead Metal once again worked with The Sentinel to guard the left-hand route. Taking advantage of Vercingetorix's interference issues, he rammed, controlled and repeatedly sliced into the top of its blue shell, ending an especially difficult run for the Isle of Wight machine. Dead Metal also pinned Haardvark against The Sentinel's enclosure, enabling both to quickly steer it into the second Pit, and forced Tender Caress into the angle grinders during its run through the right-hand lane. A scuff mark was left in the top of Tender Caress, before Dead Metal backed out, striking the grinders themselves as he did so.
A broken-down Dead Metal impedes Havoc's progress
Angel of Death proves too low for Dead Metal's saw
Dead Metal repeated his earlier tactics against Havoc, ramming it opposite the first pit. Moments later, he became immobilised in the middle of the left-hand route opposite The Sentinel, which had the effect of preventing Havoc from advancing further down the course. Dead Metal also blocked the way of a sluggish Flirty Skirty, but would have no involvement as Sir Killalot dropped it into the Pit instead. Finally, he and Sergeant Bash blocked Angel of Death's escape as it struggled to clear the Ramrigs. Due to Angel of Death's low chassis height, however, the saw did not have enough reach to cut into its steel top plate.
- "Each of our five surviving robots will lock wheel trims with Dead Metal. Whoever lasts the least amount of time before getting the big push will be turned into chop suey."
- — Craig Charles' introduction for the Heat L Sumo
Dead Metal, about to push Flirty Skirty off the Sumo platform
Dead Metal also challenged competitors in the Sumo Trial from the same episode. A dominant run saw him push four of the five competitors off the platform, the shortest time achieved by Tender Caress at 6.03 seconds. Of the competitors, Vercingetorix initially mounted the strongest challenge, holding Dead Metal at a stalemate while lifting it for a few seconds. Again, Dead Metal capitalised on Vercingetorix's interference problems, bumping, turning to its right-hand side, and holding it over the edge while cutting into its shell. He did not, however, release Vercingetorix before the 30-second timer expired. Similar tactics were employed by Dead Metal against Havoc, before he rammed it off the platform after 14.15 seconds.
Dead Metal takes Haardvark and himself out
The last Sumo run, against Haardvark, began with Dead Metal being wedged and slowly pushed back by the Cannock entry. Dead Metal parked near the lower-right edge, in effect luring Haardvark to the same place before whacking it with his pincers. Once Haardvark strayed across the opposite side of the platform edge, a powerful push from Dead Metal sent both robots careering off together.
- "Haardvark immediately coming in on the attack there, on Dead Metal! Liz Harrison's loving this! Dead Metal almost on the edge! But was it a dummy, to draw in Haardvark, there? And finally goes, but it TAKES Dead Metal with it! And Liz loved it all!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's commentary for Haardvark’s Sumo run
Dead Metal next encountered Haardvark and Vercingetorix in their Arena Semi-Final, but would otherwise not stray far from the upper PPZ. Similarly, in the second Semi-Final (Havoc vs Flirty Skirty), he did not attack Flirty Skirty once Havoc pushed it close to him. Dead Metal briefly left the PPZ entirely during Haardvark and Havoc’s clash in the Heat Final, and would briefly pressure Haardvark once Matilda lifted the latter against the spiked pendulum. Later on, Haardvark pushed Havoc into the PPZ, with Dead Metal and Shunt in close range. Dead Metal, however, would not play any major part, as Shunt proceeded to turn Havoc onto its side.
Dead Metal stops Panic Attack from hitting the 75-point Pinball target
Dead Metal (top-left, background) at the end of Mortis' Pinball re-run, with Sir Killalot in a nearby Pit
Both Semi-Final episodes saw Dead Metal being utilised in the brand-new Pinball Trial, guarding the 75-point target in every run. In Semi-Final 1, he emphasised his role by twice grasping and pushing Panic Attack away from the target. A driving error on Dead Metal’s behalf gave Panic Attack a chance to hit the target, though Kim Davies' machine would not capitalise. Dead Metal also stopped Mortis in a similar fashion during its controversial re-run, while pushing it back into a chasing Sir Killalot. Towards the end of the run, he would hold Mortis at bay along the lower-left perimeter, while withstanding multiple strikes from its tantō blade. In doing so, however, his tail spike touched the 75-point tyre, though this would not appear to count towards Mortis' onscreen score.
Dead Metal's only other appearance in Semi-Final 1 was a background role in Killertron vs Behemoth. Stationed in the left of the PPZ, he would play no part in the battle itself, which ended once Killertron dragged Behemoth over onto its side.
Dead Metal fails to stop King Buxton from completing the Semi-Final 2 Gauntlet
Dead Metal (bottom, centre) joins his fellow House Robots in pinning Plunderbird 2
A more intensive second Semi-Final for Dead Metal began in the Gauntlet stage, with Shunt and Matilda as the other allocated House Robots. He was first seen towards the end of Cassius' run, traversing the raised platform on the centre route. Cassius again drove underneath and held Dead Metal on its wedge shape, then flicked him with its pneumatic arm just after 'Cease' was called. In the very next run, Dead Metal failed to stop King Buxton from reaching the end zone, merely turning and driving away from Simon Harrison's machine as it crossed the line. Dead Metal also joined his fellow House Robots in impeding Plunderbird 2 and Haardvark's runs; their effort to pin Plunderbird 2 against the upper railings sealed its elimination at that stage.
In Pinball, Dead Metal first defended the 75-point target from Roadblock, eventually hooking and dragging it with his pincers. His efforts trapped the reigning champion long enough for Sir Killalot to close in and nearly turn it over; Roadblock would retreat from the target, instead demolishing sets of nearby breezeblocks and barrels to finish its run. Dead Metal was next bumped by Cassius following the latter's historic self-righting manoeuvre, and, in his last visible appearance in this Trial, knocked aside as Sir Killalot carried G.B.H. into him.
Roadblock controls King Buxton into Dead Metal's clutches
Dead Metal would also be present in both Semi-Final 2 Arena battles. In Cassius vs Haardvark, he made a brief appearance near the top-left of the PPZ, only to get himself stuck on the edge of the Pit. Roadblock vs King Buxton saw greater involvement from Dead Metal, where he attempted to catch and cut Simon Harrison’s machine once Roadblock pushed it into his pincers. In this exchange, he accidentally drove into and was briefly hooked by Sir Killalot's lance. Dead Metal later rammed Roadblock as it was being pinned and axed in the PPZ by Shunt, and would attempt to grasp King Buxton again following its immobilisation.
Dead Metal (top-left) watches as Cassius defeats Roadblock
All five of the regular House Robots would appear in every battle from the Grand Final, beginning with the two Eliminators. Dead Metal's first actions occurred in Cassius vs Roadblock, where he attacked Roadblock as it tried to deliver Rex Garrod's machine into his part of the PPZ. Clasping Roadblock from the right-hand side, he ended up getting high-centred, requiring Shunt to separate the trio. Dead Metal and Shunt would later trap Roadblock in the PPZ, allowing Cassius to flip it against the side rails. Once Roadblock had been fully overturned, Dead Metal gave it a final ram, as Cassius spent the closing moments disrupting the House Robots' attacks on the fallen Series 1 champion.
Dead Metal (left) lunges at Killertron following its early immobilisation
In Killertron vs Panic Attack, Dead Metal was quick to ram and seize Killertron twice once Panic Attack shoved it into the PPZ. This shove left Killertron immobilised, prompting Dead Metal, Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash to attack it further.
Dead Metal (bottom-right) attacks Roadblock again in its Play-off against Killertron
The third-place Play-off saw Dead Metal attack Roadblock again, as it and Matilda pinned Killertron against the right-hand railings. He followed both competitors around as Roadblock manoeuvred Killertron into the reach of The Sentinel and Sir Killalot. Dead Metal briefly pinned Killertron in place alongside Sir Killalot, only to ram Roadblock again and push it into the latter's clutches. All five House Robots briefly closed in to trap Roadblock on the right-hand side of the PPZ, after Roadblock had already controlled Killertron into that section. Dead Metal next seized Killertron against the angle grinders, dragging and attempting to bring his own saw into action. Roadblock, following both robots' movements, took advantage by scooping and dispatching Killertron into the Pit, claiming third place.
Panic Attack drives Cassius under Dead Metal in the Series 2 Final
Dead Metal (centre-left) in the Pit during the Grand Final end credits
During the overall Final (Cassius vs Panic Attack), Panic Attack pushed Cassius into Dead Metal, using Cassius' shape to scoop him up once more. Dead Metal was hoisted further by Cassius' flipping arm, but would land on his wheels as it backed out. A few brushes with Panic Attack followed, immediately before Panic Attack pitted Cassius to become the Second Wars champion. Immediately following Panic Attack's trophy presentation, the end credits revealed that Dead Metal had also backed into the Pit following the battle’s official conclusion.
Dead Metal's appearances in the Grudge Matches special included televised highlights from the Super Heavyweight, Middleweight and Lightweight Championships. From these highlights, he is known to have appeared in two of the Super Heavyweight Heats (Berserk vs Rumble vs Death Jester and Demon Duck vs Soc'em vs Bottweiler), in addition to the final round billed as the 'Super Showdown'. At one point in the latter, Dead Metal was seen pushing and holding Demon Duck in the upper-right corner, where Demon Duck lay immobile.
Dead Metal during the Series 2 Lightweight Championship
A single clip of Dead Metal's appearance in the Lightweight Championship melee was televised, briefly showing him opposite the grille with competitors including Slippery Strana and Damacles. In the Middleweight Championship, a dice with Hard Cheese saw him knock off its rat mascot 'Verminator' with a shove.
Early into the Reserve Rumble, Dead Metal and Shunt trapped Lateral Thought near the pit, with the University of Glamorgan entry becoming immobilised and pitted shortly after. Dead Metal next grappled with Forklift, dragging it into the PPZ for Shunt and Sir Killalot to damage further, and pulled Bumblebot into the same zone whilst it fought the walker Jim Struts. His pincers pinned Bumblebot as it took axe blows from Shunt, and faltered under further pressure from both Sergeant Bash and Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal attempts to cut and grab Bodyhammer during the Internet Insurrection
Dead Metal is wedged off the floor by Bodyhammer
Dead Metal's presence in the Internet Insurrection was initially muted. Starting from the right-hand side of the PPZ, he would not get involved in the fight for some time, even as the nearby Bodyhammer suffered radio reception issues in the first ten seconds.[13] Dead Metal would eventually ram Bodyhammer as it wedged Matilda off the arena floor, and trap Griffon in the lower-right corner after it had turned Sergeant Bash over. More brushes with Bodyhammer lead to him capturing and trying to cut through the top of Robin Herrick's machine, but without much effect. Dead Metal's attack lead to further retaliation from the surviving competitors, including rams from Bodyhammer, and a lift from Griffon. Both Dead Metal and Griffon were also jostled by an arena spike, though Griffon escaped as Matilda closed in on the pair. In the last ten seconds of the televised battle, Dead Metal was rammed a final time by Bodyhammer, which held him in place using its conical wedge shape.
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot jointly pit Mortis at the end of the first Judgement Day match
Dead Metal would also take part in both of the Judgement Day grudge matches involving Mortis. The first, against Cassius, saw Cassius immediately drive into his clutches once again. After Cassius accidentally pitted itself, Dead Metal and Sir Killalot would push Mortis in as well, with the Random Violence Technologies entry hampered by a damaged track. Dead Metal would play a much smaller role in the second grudge match (Mortis vs Napalm), remaining in the upper-right corner even as Mortis won and began attacking the other House Robots.
Series 3[]
Dead Metal once again returned for The Third Wars, now with the completely redesigned saw mechanism used for the remainder of the Classic run. Throughout this series, he would appear in at least two battles from each main episode, alongside every fight from the International League and initially direct-to-video First World Championship specials. As well as combat-oriented events, Dead Metal also featured prominently in the Pinball and Robotic Soccer Trial competitions.
- "The sparks are gonna fly when Dead Metal enters the arena, armed with hydraulically-driven pincers and a petrol-driven 3,000 revs-per-minute saw!"
- — Jonathan Pearce introduces Dead Metal in Series 3, Heat A
Dead Metal cuts into Medi-Junk during his Series 3 intro
Dead Metal would also be the first of the House Robots to be officially introduced in Heat A of this series. A short demonstration of his upgraded weaponry involved him grabbing and cutting into the shell of Medi-Junk. In the main competition, Dead Metal first appeared in both of the episode's Semi-Finals: Mace 2 vs Weeliwako and Raizer Blade vs Suicidal Tendencies, located in the top-right CPZ. Each battle saw him briefly approaching competitors which had fallen into the pit: Weeliwako after it was pushed in by Mace 2, and Raizer Blade after it accidentally drove in nose-first while trying to eliminate Suicidal Tendencies.
Dead Metal traps and slices an erratically-driven Pitbull
Main competition appearances in Heat B included both Semi-Final matches (Technophobic vs Pitbull and General Carnage vs Behemoth), plus the Heat Final. In Technophobic vs Pitbull, Dead Metal left his CPZ as Pitbull spun and jammed itself into the side wall behind. He returned to attack Pitbull, cutting into its left side, with Technophobic and Sergeant Bash also entering the zone during this moment. Dead Metal later stationed himself opposite to the Flame Pit while Pitbull controlled and held Technophobic over the hazard, but would not attack the latter himself.
- "Staying away from trouble as General Carnage is... cut to ribbons! Look at that slice!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal slices into General Carnage
Behemoth (right) lifts Dead Metal while Sergeant Bash attempts to pit General Carnage
Dead Metal clamps Behemoth
Following Behemoth's victory over General Carnage, Dead Metal joined Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash in attacking the overturned Hull machine. In this case, he would repeatedly cut into the back of General Carnage, only for the now-enlarged Behemoth to lift and briefly hold him off the arena floor with its scoop. Dead Metal eventually retaliated by grabbing and pushing Behemoth across the arena, while Sir Killalot eventually dropped General Carnage into the Pit.
Sir Killalot and Dead Metal deal damage to Behemoth following its Heat Final loss
Dead Metal's Heat Final presence saw him relocate to the lower-right CPZ. Here, he again left his corner to grasp Pitbull over the Flame Pit. Behemoth capitalised by rolling Pitbull into the CPZ itself, though Dead Metal re-righted the Nottinghamshire newcomer with another push. Following Behemoth's elimination - where it drove over and was turned on its side by an arena spike - Dead Metal carved into its baseplate while Sir Killalot inflicted damage to its scoop frame. Dead Metal proceeded to push Behemoth over the newly-introduced Floor Flipper; in the first-ever usage of this hazard, the Hemel Hempstead machine would be tossed onto his back spikes.
Heat C marked the first time that Dead Metal appeared in all events from a main Third Wars episode. Background appearances in most of the Round 1 championship matches (Razer vs Backstabber, Blade vs Spike and Agent Orange vs Max Damage) were interspersed by a more active role in Binky vs Aggrobot. While Sir Killalot paraded an immobilised Binky, Dead Metal inadvertently bumped into him and Matilda on two separate occasions. Recomposing, he cut into the base of Binky and momentarily held it against Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal (centre, background) cuts into the immobile Razer
Sparks fly as Dead Metal slices the front of Aggrobot
Following Razer's surprise Round 2 loss against Aggrobot, Dead Metal was the first House Robot to attack the malfunctioning Bournemouth machine. Sparks flew as he grabbed Razer from the right-hand side and cut into one of its self-righting wings. By contrast, Dead Metal played no major part in Blade's victory over Agent Orange, despite moving forwards from the lower-right CPZ at one point. Dead Metal, from the same CPZ, was also quick to seize Aggrobot after Blade rammed it over the Flame Pit during the Heat Final. This started a chain of attacks by both him and Sir Killalot. Dead Metal's saw repeatedly sliced into the immobilised Aggrobot, sparks and smoke rising as he cut through the base of its 'snout'.
- "In comes Dead Metal! And ready to grind down on the shell of Aggrobot! Took four weeks to build by the Leach brothers, Aggrobot. In comes Killalot. The end is nigh, I feel! That's a painful grimace on the front of Aggrobot! Lifted into the air, spun against the blade... of Dead Metal! Churning and grinding and sparking! And it's spark out Aggrobot, I should think now!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal and Sir Killalot team up to damage Aggrobot
Dead Metal (background, centre-left) attacks Grinder while Sir Killalot carries the immobile Hard Cheese
Dead Metal's appearances in Heat C extended into the five-way Middleweight Melee, broadcast in between the Round 1 and Round 2 fights. During Sir Killalot's attacks on the immobilised Hard Cheese, he would be seen in the background dragging, pushing and holding Grinder over the lower Arena Spike, while cutting into its back wedge. Dead Metal briefly helped Sir Killalot place Hard Cheese over the Flame Pit, after which he began cutting into the Liverdyne Robotics entry. Grapples with Grinder and A-Kill followed, though A-Kill would survive to claim joint victory alongside Tentoumushi.
Dead Metal gingerly drops Sir Chromalot into the Pit
Dead Metal's first notable appearance in Heat D occurred in Flipper vs Ultor. Following Flipper's immobilisation, he twice carved through the right-hand side of the Duhy family machine's shell. During Big Brother's Round 2 fight against Sir Chromalot, Dead Metal twice tussled with the Brighton machine from the top-right CPZ, even as the latter succeeded in turning Sir Chromalot over. With the Hub Nuts' machine unable to self-right, he and Shunt began damaging its baseplate. Dead Metal, leaving a gash in Sir Chromalot's truck wheel hub shell, eventually carried and dropped it into the Pit, but not without struggling to pull his saw free from the hub itself. As he backed away, he was scooped up by Big Brother, which was in turn set upon by the other House Robots.
Dead Metal, in the process of cutting off Bumblebot's axe head
During Bumblebot vs Ultor, Dead Metal left his CPZ in the top-right to pressure Bumblebot without provocation. Dead Metal would attack Bumblebot again once Ultor pushed it into his clutches, cutting the head off the returning Reading machine’s axe. This proved to be his last major contribution in Heat D, as he would not play a part in Big Brother and Ultor's Heat Final clash.
- "I think that Bumblebot weapon has been absolutely... useless. It's like some... toothpick, to take on the House Robots. Ultor, shoving Bumblebot towards Dead Metal! And Dead Metal clearly thinks the toothpick is useless, too!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal cuts off Bumblebot's axe head
Dead Metal gives Crocodilotron the 'dentist' treatment
Dead Metal appeared in all Round 1 and Round 2 battles from Heat E, though he would not become involved until Chaos 2's debut win over Crocodilotron. Once Chaos 2 left Crocodilotron on its back in Matilda's CPZ, he proceeded to clasp and cut into the teeth of the Millyard family's machine. Crocodilotron attempted to clamp down on Dead Metal in response, but Dead Metal and Matilda persisted in attacking it until 'Cease' was called.
- "And Crocodilotron, err... going to the dentist! [Laughs] Well, they're enjoying it, the Millyard boys, Sam and Stephen. Perhaps they like going to the dentist? That's strange. Aw, dear! Crocodilotron... over and out."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal keeps cutting into the inverted Crocodilotron
Dead Metal pressures Sonic during its Round 1 battle against Hammertron
Dead Metal begins cutting Hammertron's tracks and armour
More severe damage would be inflicted by Dead Metal in Sonic vs Hammertron. When Sonic strayed into his CPZ, he first chased the new Team Power machine out as it proceeded to get itself stuck on the wall. As Matilda prised Sonic free, Dead Metal grabbed and twice cleaved through its right wheelguard. Dead Metal attacked Sonic again as the latter tried to pressure Hammertron, pinning and trying to slice its left tyre. This did not stop Sonic, however, from pushing Hammertron backwards and turning it over using the nearby arena spike. Dead Metal proceeded to cut half of Hammertron's track treads, along with its base and right-hand side panel, before pitting the Feltham machine.
- "And look at this for confidence! The Mortis boys... taking on the House Robots! Taking on Matilda, first of all! There's Dead Metal AND Shunt! Well, if you're confident enough to take on the House Robots, boys... you've got to take what comes to you!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, during Mortis' scraps with Matilda, Dead Metal and Shunt in Heat F
Dead Metal, Shunt and Sir Killalot rise up against Mortis' challenge
Following Mortis' Round 1 victory over Ming in Heat F, Dead Metal attempted to grab the former as it began hammering Matilda. His pursuit allowed him to pin Mortis against Shunt, the two House Robots manoeuvring Rob Knight's newly-rebuilt machine into the centre of the arena. Dead Metal brushed Mortis' aerial and grazed its armour with his saw; a subsequent tap on his right pincer allowed Shunt to turn Mortis completely over mid-push. Once Mortis self-righted, Dead Metal drew close once more, spitting sparks while avoiding another of the former's axe blows. He and Shunt finished the Round 1 battle by jointly steering Mortis into the Pit.
Dead Metal, Shunt and Sir Killalot gang up on Vector
Dead Metal grasps The Darke Destroyer during its Round 2 battle
Dead Metal pressures T 2
Dead Metal would maintain his presence throughout the remaining Heat F battles. He first grappled with an immobilised Vector, after the eventual winner T 2 mistakenly fell into the Pit. A follow-up attack enabled Dead Metal to grind away at Vector's shell, with Matilda, Sir Killalot and Shunt also ganging up on the Nottingham contender. Dead Metal later grasped, dragged and cut into The Darke Destroyer once T 2 pushed it into him during their Round 2 battle. Ironically, he and The Darke Destroyer would sandwich T 2 as both competitors attempted to escape the top-right CPZ. Dead Metal pounced on T 2 a second time as it tried to push The Darke Destroyer back into the same corner.
Dead Metal slices into the front of The Darke Destroyer
During the Heat F Final, Dead Metal again grabbed The Darke Destroyer after it was pushed onto the Flame Pit by Gravedigger. The Darke Destroyer was held over the hazard and sustained another gash to its front wheel pod as a consequence. Dead Metal caught The Darke Destroyer a second time - this time by its spinning blade - after Gravedigger tried to flick the Hampshire machine over. Gravedigger finally flipped The Darke Destroyer over opposite Shunt's CPZ, allowing Dead Metal to team up with the latter and resume cutting into The Darke Destroyer's 'face'. As he did so, Dead Metal dragged The Darke Destroyer back across the arena, releasing it close to the Floor Flipper.
Dead Metal (centre-right) catches Bulldog Breed
Dead Metal's run in Heat G included appearances in all Round 1 and Round 2 battles. His first major contribution of this episode was in Bulldog Breed vs Robopig, where he drove into the former while it was placed on an Arena Spike. The spike lifted both robots in unison, with Bulldog Breed having already been eliminated due to an internal malfunction. Dead Metal attempted to cut through the top of Bulldog Breed, but struggled to find enough reach to do so before the battle concluded.
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot attack the pitted Orac's Revenge
Henry takes a few cuts from Dead Metal's blade
Dead Metal also temporarily left his CPZ during Henry vs Haardvark, in the moments leading to Haardvark's immobilisation. Next, he briefly tangled with Steg-O-Saw-Us after it pitted Orac's Revenge, before grasping and grinding the front of the latter. Similarly, following Henry's immobilisation against Steg-O-Saw-Us, Dead Metal drove his saw into the back of the Moye family's machine, gingerly cutting it until 'Cease' was called.
- "Ooooh, look at that! Henry hacked... Henry holed... hideous Henry! And Granny's getting a haircut! Well... it's a little bit of a... splitting headache for Granny. And again, slicing in, Dead Metal... the poor old Henry team."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal carves into Henry
Dead Metal also joined the other House Robots in dispatching Robopig following its loss to Napalm, but otherwise did not attack the inverted pink machine.
Dead Metal grinds Tut's Revenge's base
Dead Metal pits Tut's Revenge
Heat H saw Dead Metal make a more substantial presence throughout the first round. In Ally Gator vs Corporal Punishment, he attacked the scoop of Adam Clark's upgraded machine during a period where both competitors were stuck together. Dead Metal next pushed Ally Gator as Sir Killalot also got involved, though neither they or Matilda succeeded before time ran out. Following Berserk 2's win over Tut's Revenge, Dead Metal wasted no time grinding against the latter's baseplate while dragging and pushing it into the Pit. Near the start of Hypno-Disc vs Robogeddon, he approached Hypno-Disc while it was stuck against the wall in reverse drive, though this part of the battle went untelevised.[14]
Towards the end of Death Warmed Up vs Stealth, Dead Metal used an immobile Shunt to ram the smouldering Team Death entrant. He also left gashes in the base of Ally Gator's wedge following its Round 2 defeat to Berserk 2. Dead Metal was also present for Berserk 2's Heat Final against Hypno-Disc, but would not play a major part from the lower-right CPZ.
Alongside the main Heat H rounds, Dead Metal also took part in the first of two Walker Battles to be aired in this series - Miss Struts vs Stomp. He and Sergeant Bash attacked Stomp while it reached a stalemate with Miss Struts; Stomp having struggled to move forwards or backwards throughout. Dead Metal clamped and cut into Stomp's left 'foot', before retreating to the lower-right CPZ as Sir Killalot inflicted further damage.
Dead Metal cuts into Crusher
Dead Metal carves into The Witch
Dead Metal's first onscreen appearance in Heat I occurred in Crusher vs Beast of Bodmin. Once Beast of Bodmin dislodged Crusher's left track and left it hooked against the wall, he cut into the back of the Bedfordshire newcomer for several seconds. His other Round 1 role occurred in Invertabrat vs The Witch, where he grabbed and repeatedly sliced into the immobile, smoking Witch.
Dead Metal mistakenly backs into the Pit during Terrorpin vs Invertabrat
Dead Metal would show greater involvement in both second-round battles and the Heat Final, starting with Terrorpin vs Invertabrat from the former. Initially, he barged and chased both competitors out of the top-right corner, though Invertabrat ended up getting stuck and dragged sideways into the CPZ behind. Dead Metal trapped Invertabrat there for a few seconds, then gripped and pushed it into the arena spikes on the left-hand side. In the process, he started cutting into Invertabrat's chassis. Dead Metal kept pushing Invertabrat sideways along the left perimeter, though the Bratwurst Designs competitor was able to swerve out of the way. Turning past the Pit, he ended up backing into the hazard as both competitors fought on to a Judges' decision.
- "Terrorpin... ooh, Dead METAL - GREAT STUFF, YES! In the PIT! Oh dear! Super stuff! The great scorpion-like Dead Metal, reversing into the Pit! It will not like that!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal backs into the Pit
Dead Metal begins slicing into Onslaught's chassis
In Onslaught vs Beast of Bodmin, Dead Metal scooped the former once it was turned over by a drive up Beast of Bodmin's wedge shape. With Alan Wood's machine in his clutches, he cut through and left a substantial gash within its stainless steel chassis; a moment frequently shown in title sequences for later Classic and international series.
- "Sparks fly! Little bit of damage! The bodyshell: 15mm thick stainless steel sheeting. And that's not enough... eeeuuugh dear! Onslaught out of it."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal slices through Onslaught
Dead Metal punishes the eliminated Invertabrat
The Heat Final (Invertabrat vs Beast of Bodmin) initially saw Dead Metal nudge Invertabrat as it spun and was pushed along the upper wall by Matilda. He would, in turn, push Invertabrat back into Matilda, using this chance to cut into its left wheel and side armour before it was officially deemed to have been eliminated.
Dead Metal cuts into the back of Overkill
Heat J saw Dead Metal take part in four UK Championship battles, the first two being 101 vs Overkill and Weld-Dor vs The Iron Mask from Round 1. During the former, Overkill speared itself into the side wall within the fringe of his CPZ. Dead Metal twice sliced into the back of Overkill, and briefly caught his pincers over the top of 101 as it pushed its opponent free. Dead Metal later joined Sir Killalot in his attacks on Centurion following its Round 2 immobilisation against 101, but did not deal any damage himself. Partway through the Heat Final, between 101 and King Buxton, he briefly pinned King Buxton as 101 pushed it past the Flame Pit.
Dead Metal tears Purple Predator's fur
Dead Metal grasps Axios
Dead Metal dishes further punishment to the overturned Axios
A similar pattern in Heat K lead to four more appearances in the main competition, three of which occurred in the first round (X-Terminator vs Hefty, Purple Predator vs Toecutter and Axios vs Panic Attack). Dead Metal's first major role was to pin and grasp Purple Predator against the wall in the lower-right corner, after which he began shredding the fur of the Reading newcomer. He later tried to grab Purple Predator again while Toecutter pressed it against the lower wall. Dead Metal pushed both competitors back, and in turn caused Toecutter to be jostled around by the arena spike.
In Axios vs Panic Attack, he caught both competitors as they pressured each other into his CPZ at different moments. Once Panic Attack toppled Axios, Dead Metal rammed and repeatedly sliced into its left-hand side. Dead Metal also tried to grab Toecutter as Panic Attack pushed it near his CPZ in their Round 2 clash, but without success. He grabbed and sliced Toecutter immediately after Panic Attack turned it over, but not without briefly being lifted by Sir Killalot's lance, or further brushes with the defending UK champion.
Dead Metal closes in on the pitted Wild Willy
Three further UK Championship appearances followed in Round 1 of Heat L. In Flip Flop Fly vs Wild Willy, Dead Metal grasped the Lincolnshire machine after it got itself stuck over, then forced down the pit by Matilda. After 'Cease' had been called, he proceeded to turn Wild Willy on its side through a pinch from his pincers. Following a background appearance in Atlas vs Challenger 2, Dead Metal grasped and cut Triterobot after it was left on its side against Evil Weevil. In the exchange, however, he once again got himself stuck over the edge of the Pit.
Dead Metal cuts into the side of Plunderstorm
Heat M saw Dead Metal appear in every first-round battle. The majority of these consisted of background appearances (Hammerhead vs Pussycat, Cassius 2 vs Dundee and Zeus vs Scutter's Revenge), along with a contribution towards Plunderstorm's demise against Thermador. Following the International Wreck Crew entry's quick immobilisation, Dead Metal cut into it from the right-hand side, with Plunderstorm ultimately being pitted by Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal (background, centre) pushes the remains of Anarachnid away
Dead Metal also played a notable role in the series' second Walker Battle (Mammoth vs Anarachnid), leaving his CPZ early during a very tentative start. Once both competitors came to blows, he seized and slowly moved Anarachnid away. Dead Metal and Shunt proceeded to destroy Anarachnid's body and legs, with the match officially ending in a draw.
Appearances in Heat N were initially subdued; though Dead Metal was present in All Torque vs Crippler and Killerhurtz vs Cerberus, he would not be involved in either. In Daisy Chopper vs Griffon, Dead Metal rammed Oliver Steeples' machine in a bid to stop its lift on Sergeant Bash. As a consequence, he would be briefly lifted by Griffon as well. Dead Metal retaliated by grabbing and cutting into Griffon's four-bar lifter until 'Cease' was called. Later on, he shadowed Sergeant Bash, Matilda and Shunt in their attacks on Prizephita, after the latter was turned over by Thing 2. Dead Metal was also present for Cerberus' record-breaking pitting of Griffon, which saw the match ending after just ten seconds.
Dead Metal attacks the baseplate of Terminal Ferocity
Dead Metal, in the process of removing Crasha Gnasha's back tyre
Dead Metal appeared in six of the seven main competition battles from Heats O and P. His involvement in Heat O began in Schumey Too vs The Steel Avenger, where he was briefly seen trying to grab the former after it first drove underneath The Steel Avenger. Dead Metal also cut into the base of Terminal Ferocity after it was flipped and pushed towards his CPZ by Facet, and ripped the back tyre off of Crasha Gnasha following its similar demise against Fire Storm.
Dead Metal holds The Steel Avenger over the Flame Pit
Dead Metal attacks a flaming Diotoir
A background role in Diotoir vs Sting 2 was followed by Dead Metal's only Round 2 match of the episode. In Diotoir vs The Steel Avenger, he pushed the latter back as it was being pushed towards his CPZ by the Irish machine. Dead Metal later held the overturned Steel Avenger over the Flame Pit, while Sergeant Bash torched the polka-dot fur on Diotoir. In the Heat Final - Diotoir vs Fire Storm - Dead Metal seized and cut into the burning Team Nemesis machine, after Fire Storm turned and pushed it onto the Flame Pit. As Dead Metal backed away, a collision with the nearby wall grinders broke his right pincer off its hinges. Pieces of the flaming Diotoir fur also stuck to his pincers, saw and exoskeleton, while he proceeded to spin and was rammed by Fire Storm.
Dead Metal sends S.M.I.D.S.Y. into oblivion
Heat P initially saw Dead Metal trap S.M.I.D.S.Y. as it struggled for controlled mobility against Rattus Rattus. A collision with Rattus Rattus helped him dislodge the Guernsey competitor's outer shell, though Rattus Rattus would still progress to Round 2 regardless. Dead Metal finished the battle by grinding and pushing S.M.I.D.S.Y. into the Pit, but not without sliding in himself. He next joined in the House Robots' punishment on Twn Trwn following its defeat against Trident, but inflicted no damage of his own.
Dead Metal slices into Rattus Rattus
Activity in Scarab vs Victor 2 and Psychokiller vs Dreadnaut was relatively limited. In the latter battle, both competitors drove across the front of him in their Round 1 battle, with Psychokiller being left immobilised over the Arena Spike opposite the top-right CPZ. Despite this, Dead Metal remained stationary and would not assist in the House Robots' attacks on Psychokiller. He would, however, repeatedly slice into Rattus Rattus following its second-round loss against Dreadnaut.
- "In comes Dead Metal now. [Laughs] A little bit of a slice. Ooh yes, thank you very much, sir! The smoke from the impact - ooh, yes sir! Thank you. Aaaand again! Yep! Not "three cheers" for Rattus Rattus. Three tears for Rattus Rattus from the third attack... from Dead Metal!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Rattus Rattus is carved by Dead Metal's saw
Dead Metal and Shunt attack the victorious Trident
Dead Metal twice rammed Dreadnaut during its Heat Final match against Trident, after the returning Nuneaton entry was left with severe drive issues next to the right side wall. Rather than attacking Dreadnaut further, however, he, Shunt and Matilda controversially teamed up to cut and dent Trident's shell.
- "Dreadnaut gets naught. It was obviously disabled long before Trident. The House Robots a bit naughty there for going on Trident, but Trident goes through to the Series Semi-Finals!"
- — Craig Charles addresses the House Robots' attacks on Trident
Dead Metal slashes Thing 2's tyre
From this point on in the series, Dead Metal appeared in every battle from the Semi-Final episodes and the Grand Final. In Semi-Final 1, he attacked Pitbull, Thing 2, Big Brother and Trident following their first-round defeats, all involving the affected competitors being overturned. Dead Metal later joined Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash in damaging Mace 2, following its second-round defeat at the hands of Chaos 2. He would catch Mace 2 a second time, after the latter was flung and re-righted by the Floor Flipper. Though hoisted by the arm of the St Leonards-on-Sea competitor, he spun and grazed its right-rear corner multiple times before the battle officially ended.
- "In comes Dead Metal, for a little bit of sugar and slice! Mace 2 out! Chaos 2 - worthy winners!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, during Dead Metal's final attacks on Mace 2
Dead Metal (left) joins Shunt and Sir Killalot in attacking Evil Weevil
Dead Metal's first appearance in Semi-Final 2 occurred at the end of Scutter's Revenge vs 101, where he rammed and clamped the immobile Team Scutterbots entry as Sir Killalot pushed it towards his CPZ. He also cut into Blade's lawnmower blades following its own defeat against Beast of Bodmin, and briefly trapped Evil Weevil during its duel with Hypno-Disc. The latter occurred before Kevin Pritchard's machine lost mobility and was set upon by both Sir Killalot and Shunt. Dead Metal joined in by slicing into the back of Evil Weevil's composite shell.
Dead Metal attacks Hypno-Disc during its Semi-Final bout against 101
During the second-round fight between Hypno-Disc and 101, Dead Metal briefly caught and steered Mike Franklin's machine over the Flame Pit. He also punished Hypno-Disc for two major driving errors, first clamping it against the lower wall and cutting into its checkerplated back. Dead Metal attacked Hypno-Disc a second time later on, this time grasping and pushing it by the flywheel. Neither of these excursions would stop the Rose family machine, however, from winning on a close Judges' decision.
In the Grand Final episode, Dead Metal remained in the background of both Eliminators (Chaos 2 vs Fire Storm and Hypno-Disc vs Steg-O-Saw-Us). His contributions to the overall series final were similarly minimal. Following Chaos 2's knockout victory, he briefly held the overturned Hypno-Disc under his pincers, but was not seen to attack the latter any further.
Dead Metal and Shunt trap Dominator towards the end of its Pinball run
Similarly to the previous series, Dead Metal would be responsible for guarding the 75-point target in most Pinball runs, a task shared with Matilda. In Dominator's run (Heat A), he would help Sir Killalot press the Cambridgeshire debutant against the multi-ball release. In doing so, however, he exposed the target; another push from Sir Killalot allowed Dominator to score from it. Regardless, Dead Metal and Sir Killalot held Dominator in place against the tyre. A tentative chase into the lower-right CPZ followed, where Shunt blocked, axed and pushed Dominator back before it could reach his 50-point target. Dead Metal again grasped Dominator and started cutting into its already-dented shell.
Dead Metal next appeared in Crusader's run (Heat D), where he and Sergeant Bash closed in on Crusader after it became stuck on the wall behind the left 50-point target. Dead Metal backed out as Sergeant Bash freed Crusader with a push, and played no further part as the Loughton competitor eventually drove itself into one of the pits. He would later approach, then charge into Eye of Newt (Heat F) after it missed its drive into the multi-ball release. Immediately after 'Cease' was called, Dead Metal backed into the release himself.
- "Come on, one last... dash towards the MULTI-BALL! Aw, just missed! Time's gonna beat them - it has! Oh, and Dead Metal's showing them how it should've been done!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Dead Metal applies late pressure to Eye of Newt in its Pinball run
Against Killerhurtz (Heat I), Dead Metal was slow to respond to its unsuccessful drive towards the 75-point target. In pursuing the fast but erratic Team Hurtz machine, he ended up pushing the tyre across the lower side wall. Dead Metal later blocked Killerhurtz as it attempted to back out of the lower-right CPZ, moments before Shunt pinned and lifted it against the barrier. Though present in R.O.C.S. 2's run (Heat K), Dead Metal was not required to intervene, as the Sievers family machine did not reach his side of the arena. However, he would defend his target from Oblivion 2 (Heat L), then team up with Sir Killalot to attack the Team Trinity machine once it lost mobility. Dead Metal attempted to back Oblivion 2 into a nearby Pit, but abandoned this move just as Sergeant Bash accidentally torched Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal pushes Razer away from the activated 75-point target
Dead Metal rounded off his Pinball stint in the final runs of the series - Razer (Heat O) and Mortis (Heat P). Against Razer, he grabbed and pushed the Bournemouth machine too late to stop it hitting the 75-point target. In response, Razer gripped Dead Metal's left pincer; Dead Metal briefly clutched and boxed Razer in as soon as it hit the multi-ball release. Dead Metal successfully blocked Mortis' run to the target, forcing it to smash through the bricks and upper-left barrels instead. After Mortis got itself stuck on the edge of the centre Pit, he pushed one of the multi-balls into the same hazard.
Dead Metal (centre-right) in goal for the first Robotic Soccer Qualifier
Dead Metal reprised his traditional role as goalkeeper for all Robotic Soccer Qualifiers, with Matilda as defender. However, he would not enjoy much success, failing to stop Velocirippa from scoring in its Heat B clash against Demolition Demon 2.
Dead Metal fails to stop Gnasher from scoring
Dead Metal is spared by a late block from Matilda (Evil Weevil vs Alien, Heat E)
In the first Heat E Qualifier (Malfunktion vs Gnasher), Matilda and Dead Metal both disrupted Gnasher's initial attempt to score. Dead Metal, however, was too slow to stop Gnasher from pushing the ball into the net on its second try. Partway through the second (Evil Weevil vs Alien), Dead Metal even left the goal entirely to re-right Alien, which had been turned onto its side by an arena spike. However, as Evil Weevil suffered control issues and frequently sparred with Matilda, he was able to return before Kevin Pritchard's machine could steer the ball towards it. A late block by Matilda denied Evil Weevil its last chance to score, with Dead Metal grasping it momentarily before 'Cease' was called.
The last Qualifier (The General vs Spectre, Heat J) ended equally dismally for Dead Metal. An attempt by Matilda to block The General's manoeuvres resulted in her accidentally sending the ball rolling towards the goal. Dead Metal tried to stop the ball himself, but was too late to prevent it from crossing the scoring line.
Dead Metal (background, centre-right) watches as Depoppesaurus Rex holds a burning Diotoir off the floor
In The First World Championship, Dead Metal initially left his CPZ during Diotoir vs Depoppesaurus Rex, while a burning Diotoir was being lifted by the Belgian representative. This proved to be a temporary move, however, as he returned to the corner before time ran out. Dead Metal also joined Razer and Sergeant Bash in damaging All Torque towards the end of the third Eliminator match, cutting into the Scottish machine.
Dead Metal is almost pitted by Diotoir, while Sir Killalot prepares to dispose of Cerberus
Dead Metal sinks his saw through Chaos 2's flipper cover
Dead Metal played more active roles in three of the Quarter-Finals. Firstly, he clutched and engaged in a pushing match with Diotoir, after it flipped Cerberus over to secure the first Semi-Final place. This resulted in Dead Metal almost being pushed backwards into the pit, though he would escape once Sir Killalot forced Cerberus down. More significantly, Dead Metal held and cut through Chaos 2's flipper cover, after the newly-crowned UK Champion had been steered towards his CPZ by fellow England representative Razer. Coupled with a damaged CO2 canister - punctured by Razer moments earlier - this exchange prompted Chaos 2 to reverse the Pit to avoid further punishment. In Weld-Dor vs 101, Dead Metal rammed the Northern Irish competitor with his pincers, while it tried to cross over the Flame Pit following a shove by 101.
Dead Metal momentarily seizes one of 101's tracks during its World Championship Semi-Final
Early into the second Semi-Final match, Dead Metal helped Razer trap 101 on the fringe of the lower-right CPZ. Razer lifted both machines simultaneously as its beak sunk through 101's top panel, prompting Dead Metal to back away. This did not stop him from being slammed into the wall by the two competitors, as Razer kept biting and pushing 101 further into the CPZ itself. Dead Metal briefly caught 101 by its left track, but remained in his zone as Razer proceeded to sustain its attacks elsewhere.
Dead Metal would assist Razer again in its Grand Final clash against Behemoth. After the Bournemouth machine was turned over and left stuck on the Flame Pit, he forced it off the grille with his pincers. Despite Behemoth's efforts to push Razer back onto the hazard, Razer self-righted, ultimately going on to crumple Behemoth's sides, win the Judges' decision and become the inaugural Robot Wars World Champion.
Dead Metal slices Techno-Lease
Dead Metal's involvement in the International League Championship started with background appearances in the first two battles - Techno-Lease vs Prometheus (Group B) and both attempts at Terror Australis vs Depoppesaurus Rex (Group A). Following Diotoir's pitting of the ex-Team Nemesis Terror Australis, a brief clip from Team Nemesis' control booth showed him attacking the Australian entry as it lay within the hazard. Dead Metal and Shunt jointly attacked Techno-Lease following its brutal Group B loss to Razer. With Shunt and Matilda proceeding to tangle with Razer, Dead Metal proceeded to push the crumpled Dutch machine into the upper wall.
Dead Metal cuts into Depoppesaurus Rex
Shunt and Dead Metal pit Depoppesaurus Rex
Dead Metal also cut into Depoppesaurus Rex following Diotoir's knockout flip on the Belgian entry. The House Robots' attacks proved to be premature, however, as a flick from Diotoir's lifting arm helped Depoppesaurus Rex back onto its wheels. Moments later, Dead Metal assisted Shunt in pushing Depoppesaurus over the Pit; the length of the silver machine caused it to roll over before finally falling in.
Dead Metal attacks a pitted Diotoir
A background appearance in the War of Independence (Tentoumushi vs A-Kill) was followed by further punishment on Terror Australis following its Ashes loss to Mortis. Dead Metal first placed the ex-Team Nemesis machine onto the Floor Flipper, then into the Pit. Though mostly passive throughout the main International League Final, Dead Metal approached Diotoir as it was being pitted by Razer. In a moment not shown in the televised episode, he proceeded to cut into Diotoir from the right-rear corner, sending sparks flying from its aluminium and alcad chassis.
Series 4[]
- "A sturdy 112 kilos, Dead Metal has a 3,000rpm circular saw and pneumatic pincers now increased in power! Quick at 5.4 metres per second and now improved with a stronger exoskeleton. When the sparks fly, robots usually die!"
- — Jonathan Pearce introduces Dead Metal in Series 4, Heat A
Dead Metal's intro shot for Series 4, Heat A
A subtly-upgraded Dead Metal returned for The Fourth Wars along with the other core House Robots. He would again make appearances in every episode of the series, including specials, along with all sixteen Pinball Warrior runs shown in the Heats of the original UK broadcasts.
Dead Metal hands Medusa 2000 over to Sir Killalot
As in the previous series, Dead Metal was the first House Robot to be introduced in Heat A. This preceded appearances in all UK Championship battles from the first eight Heats, where he was typically stationed in the top-left CPZ. In Heat A itself, he played little part in both Eliminators (Indefatigable vs Atomic vs Chaos 2 and Attila the Drum vs King B3 vs Medusa 2000) and the Heat Final, but greater involvement in the Heat Semi-Final stage. Dead Metal first held Medusa 2000 in place while Sergeant Bash and Sir Killalot damaged the Manchester entry's front-right wheel, following its defeat against reigning champion Chaos 2. He next tried to catch King B3 while the seventeenth seed steered Atomic towards his CPZ, but would not assist Sir Killalot in pitting Simon Harrison's machine.
Dead Metal's embrace with Robochicken
Dead Metal's first notable action in Heat B was to grasp Robochicken during its Eliminator, with Razer also blocking the Tiverton machine. In this exchange, his ground clearance was breached by Robochicken's flipper, which attempted to lift Dead Metal without much success. Upon being released, Dead Metal backed up and briefly grabbed Robochicken again close to the side wall. Dead Metal left his CPZ again following Velocirippa's elimination, initially to join Sir Killalot in disposing the returning Robotic Soccer finalist. With Robochicken driving into his left pincer, he instead opted to clamp the surviving newcomer a third time.
Dead Metal (right) about to drop Razer into the Pit
Following Milly-Ann Bug's gradual disassembly by Razer in the Heat B Semi-Finals, Dead Metal cut and pushed it across the arena by its back drive pod. He also grasped and dragged Razer to the Pit, following the third seed's shock Heat Final loss against Pussycat.
A very passive Heat C saw Dead Metal briefly lunge out of his CPZ in the second Semi-Final, as Ming 2 flicked The Morgue towards the same area. Similarly, The Morgue bumped into him during its Heat Final duel against Firestorm 2, though Dead Metal did not retaliate.
Dead Metal and Crusader 2 stack Steg 2 against the wall
Dead Metal (left) brings his saw down on Cronos
Dead Metal briefly catches fire during a pushing match with the soon-to-be-eliminated Cronos
Dead Metal immediately caused problems for competitors in Heat D, once Crusader 2 shoved Steg 2 into his CPZ in the opening seconds of their Eliminator. In tandem with Crusader 2's lift, he temporarily stacked the seventh seed vertically against the wall, taking this opportunity to attack it from the side. Dead Metal grasped Steg 2 again just as it self-righted; the redesigned Jurassic Park machine managing to escape. Later on, Steg 2 drove back into Dead Metal's CPZ without pressure or any apparent consequence in the televised battle. Dead Metal next grabbed Cronos as it and Steg 2 were pushed into him by Crusader 2. He would seize and repeatedly slice Cronos once Crusader 2 pushed it fully into his corner. Cronos pushed Dead Metal back over the nearby flame jet, but took further damage as Dead Metal pinned it against the upper wall. A partial immobilisation for the Southampton contender lead to it being crumpled and carried to the Pit by Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot attack Iron-Awe during its Eliminator
In the second Heat D Eliminator (Mortis vs Mazakari vs Iron-Awe), Dead Metal briefly grabbed and pressured both newcomers into the upper-left flame jet. Both moments were captured in the unedited 5-minute version, which also showed him attempting to bring his saw down onto Mazakari's flywheel. Dead Metal later attacked Mazakari again while Mortis held the Darlington entry over the flame jet, but again struggled to use either of his weapons effectively. Towards the end of the battle, he and Sir Killalot ganged up on the immobile Iron-Awe, as shown in the televised edit. Dead Metal attacked Iron-Awe's rear panel with the saw, while Sir Killalot hooked, twisted and threw the Somerset axe bot away from the pit.[15]
Dead Metal (centre-left) helps Shunt finish Crusader 2 off
Dead Metal was also involved in both Heat D Semi-Finals, firstly pinching Iron-Awe once it was pushed near his CPZ by Steg 2. A few dices with the seventh seed followed, before Dead Metal hooked and dragged Iron-Awe into the centre by its axe shaft. With Iron-Awe again seemingly lacking mobility, Dead Metal and Shunt proceeded to fight Steg 2. Dead Metal grasped and pinned it against a spike on the left wall just as 'Cease' was called. In the process, however, he stood too long over the flame jet, which caused a small fire within the back of his saw housing.[16] Dead Metal later joined Shunt, Sir Killalot and Matilda in finishing off Crusader 2, slicing into the back of the Loughton machine multiple times following its partial immobilisation against Mortis.
Dead Metal and Dominator 2 trap 101 during the Heat E Final
Dead Metal frees 101 from a wall spike
Towards the end of the first Heat E Eliminator, Dead Metal pushed an immobile Disc-O-Inferno onto the Floor Flipper; the Flipper promptly flung the University of York machine across the arena. Dead Metal also clamped around the front of Major Tom in its Heat Semi-Final loss, after Shunt famously destroyed its bubble-gum dispenser head. Attempts to cut Major Tom's front lifting plate otherwise resulted in little damage. During the episode's Heat Final, Dominator 2 twice shoved 101 into Dead Metal, the first push allowing him to briefly grasp the ninth seed by the right-rear corner. Dead Metal later prised 101 off one of the left wall spikes, with 101 ultimately surviving and losing on a Judges' decision.
Dead Metal attacks the back of Kater Killer
Dead Metal's involvement in Heat F began with him cutting into the back of Kater Killer, following its first-round elimination against Gemini and Tornado. In the episode's second Eliminator (Inverterbrat vs The Creature vs Berserk 2), he pressed a stranded Inverterbrat against a grinder on the right-hand wall, while cutting into its body yet again. As Sir Killalot closed in, Dead Metal dragged Inverterbrat by the tail, slicing into its bludgeoner before Shunt and Sir Killalot dealt further punishment.
During the second Heat F Semi-Final, Dead Metal trapped Berserk 2 against the upper-left wall spike once Tornado buffeted it into his reach. Cutting into the twenty-fourth seed, he unsuccessfully attempted to drag it back into his CPZ, after which Tornado pushed Berserk 2 away.
Dead Metal cuts into a burning War Hog
Heat G started with a quiet presence in the first Eliminator (Kronic the Wedgehog vs Gravedigger vs Thermidor 2). The second Eliminator (War Hog vs Dreadnaut XP1 vs Darke Destroyer 2) saw Dead Metal grab, cut and hold the immobile War Hog over the Flame Pit, after its spinning rim was halted by Sir Killalot. Dead Metal maintained these attacks while repositioning War Hog towards the Floor Flipper; the top and centre of the Hull newcomer having caught fire as a direct result of his actions.
- "Oh, barbeque pork! Mmmmm, hmmmm! Can you smell the barbecue pork? I'll have a loin! Oh yes! Err, War Hog, ready for the pork chop! I hope so! Into the Pit... yes, no! He's away from the... burning blazing pit now... [in a satisfied tone] Aaaaaaaah. [reverts to an energetic tone] Dead Metal with the blade! Oooh, go on! A slice or two! Carve him up!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal punishes War Hog in Heat G
Dead Metal and Shunt attack an inverted Darke Destroyer 2
Dead Metal (left) pits Dreadnaut XP1
Both Heat G Semi-Finals saw Dead Metal assist fellow House Robots in punishing the eliminated Darke Destroyer 2 and Dreadnaut XP1. In the case of Darke Destroyer 2, he slashed its front tyre and dragged it back across the upper perimeter, before placing it on the Floor Flipper with Matilda by his side. Dead Metal dragged Dreadnaut XP1 back onto the same hazard, after Matilda already dealt similar damage to its right tyre. He ultimately shoved Dreadnaut XP1 into the Pit, after it had been thrown back upright and subjected to further damage from him, Sir Killalot and Shunt.
The House Robots, lead by Dead Metal (background, right) attack Kronic the Wedgehog from all corners
Dead Metal also seized Kronic the Wedgehog in the Heat G Final, once the latter's partial immobility was recognised. He maintained his hold and cut into its left-hand side as Sir Killalot, Shunt and Matilda also closed in. Briefly hooking through Kronic the Wedgehog's damaged flipper, Dead Metal slowly pushed the Seaton machine towards and over the Pit. After several seconds, he released his grip and backed out. Kronic the Wedgehog remained stuck on the edge, however, prompting Sir Killalot to nudge it in with his claw.
- "Killalot, at the top of your picture. There's Shunt again, and Dead METAAAAAAALLLLL! And the WEDGEHOOOOOOOOOOG! Come on, the WEDGEHOOOOOOOG! Err, the WEDGEHOOOOOOOG... nighty-night!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal and Sir Killalot pit Kronic the Wedgehog
Dead Metal, carrying 'Inverter Rat', pressures Wheelosaurus
Dead Metal slices Wheely Big Cheese during its Heat H Eliminator; note the incorrect "ShuntCam" graphic
A chaotic start to Heat H saw Dead Metal, carrying Inverterbrat's 'Inverter Rat' mascot, attack Wheelosaurus outside his CPZ during the first Eliminator. No major damage was inflicted, as he proceeded to pin and slice Wheely Big Cheese during its attempt to flip Sir Killalot. Dead Metal rammed Wheely Big Cheese a second time after Sir Killalot nudged it into the Pit, having broken his right pincer in the lead-up to this moment. After Suicidal Tendencies flipped Maverick over in the second Eliminator, he joined Shunt and Matilda in damaging the green Southampton machine. Dead Metal clutched and cut into Maverick's rear-left corner before it was tossed back onto its wheels by the Floor Flipper.
Dead Metal carves through Killertron's shell once again
The first of many attacks on Wheely Big Cheese's wheels
Dead Metal was again involved in House Robot punishments for the first Heat H Semi-Final - Wheely Big Cheese vs Killertron. Demonstrating the advances in his weaponry since The Second Wars, he cut into Killertron's shell once again following its elimination against Roger Plant's machine. In the subsequent Heat Final, Dead Metal grabbed and cut into the left titanium wheel of Wheely Big Cheese, after the latter had been propped against the left wall by Suicidal Tendencies. A second series of slices followed as Wheely Big Cheese struggled to climb over and eventually off his pincers, en-route to a controversial victory via the Judges.
For Heats I-K, Dead Metal would be completely absent from the Heat Semi-Final stage. UK Championship appearances in Heat I were confined to both Eliminators (Eric vs Killerhurtz vs Destruct-A-Bubble and Splinter vs Small Torque vs Centurion). Though Dead Metal remained in the background throughout the first Eliminator, he would leave his CPZ to grapple Small Torque in the second. After pinching the front of Team Torque's then-latest heavyweight, he turned, gripped and sliced Centurion as it lay immobile against the left wall. Despite lifting Dead Metal with its flipper, Centurion itself would duly be pitted by Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal takes Clawed Hopper to the Flame Pit
Dead Metal's first task in the Heat J Eliminators was to attack Clawed Hopper, gripping, cutting and pushing it onto the Flame Pit after it was overturned by Bigger Brother. Not content with this, he placed the squirming walkerbot on the Floor Flipper, which sent it rolling towards the centre. Dead Metal immediately gave Clawed Hopper a final few slices before 'Cease' was called, but not without his saw being shaken by its walking mechanism. A smaller, more altruistic role followed in the episode's second Eliminator (Bulldog Breed 2 vs Spikasaurus vs Stinger). After Spikasaurus speared itself in the upper-left wall, Dead Metal freed Stuart Pearson's machine by simply backing into it.
Dead Metal drags the inverted Bulldog Breed 2
The Heat J Final also saw Dead Metal and Matilda leave their CPZs, approaching Bulldog Breed 2 just as it was fully immobilised by Stinger. Dead Metal quickly drove into and cut the tip of the smoking Walsall machine's flipper, to be joined by Shunt, Matilda and Sir Killalot once again. He again seized and dragged Bulldog Breed 2 onto the Floor Flipper, after Sir Killalot had spun and turned it over.
Dead Metal briefly clasped at the updated Evil Weevil during the first Eliminator of Heat K. After Evil Weevil lost power due to an uncharged battery, he and Shunt gave it a few cursory nudges in front of the centre entry gate. Echoing Evil Weevil's Series 3 defeat, Dead Metal cut into the back of its shell along with its sledgehammer, as Sergeant Bash proceeded to take over. Turning back, he then rammed the back of Tiberius twice, while Refbot tried to separate the former from MouseTrap in the top-left CPZ. In apparent retaliation for this, Tiberius drove around and rammed Dead Metal from the side just as the battle concluded.
Dead Metal disposes of Sumpthing
A background appearance in the other Heat K Eliminator (Sumpthing vs Little Fly vs Weld-Dor 2) was followed by another prominent showing in the second Semi-Final, this time from the lower-right CPZ. Initially, MouseTrap drove itself under Dead Metal while pushing it into this corner, but backed away quickly. After Sumpthing beached itself on its own weapon assembly, Dead Metal dragged it back towards the Pit, where Matilda and Sir Killalot joined in the House Robot attacks. Once Sir Killalot picked up and flung Richard Dignall's machine into his range, Dead Metal swiftly pushed it down the opened hazard. Dead Metal was also visible in the top-left CPZ for the Heat Final (MouseTrap vs Little Fly) but played no part in an exceptionally close battle.
Following this temporary reduction in appearances, Dead Metal would again be present for every battle in Heats L-P. After Shunt 'decapitated' Banshee during the first Heal L Eliminator, he and Sir Killalot inflicted further damage to its main body. Dead Metal added further insult to injury by pushing the re-righted Banshee onto the Floor Flipper; the Huddersfield machine having originally been flipped onto its side by Spawn of Scutter. The second Eliminator from the same episode (Vercingetorix vs Fat Boy Tin vs Plunderbird 4) ended with Dead Metal grabbing and bringing his saw into contact with Fat Boy Tin. This occurred after Fat Boy Tin and Vercingetorix were thrown together by the Floor Flipper, though Vercingetorix self-righted and had already qualified by this point.
Dead Metal (left) slices into Vercingetorix's titanium front
Dead Metal (left), in the process of attacking Plunderbird 4
Both Heat L Semi-Finals involved Dead Metal cutting and generating sparks from Vercingetorix and Plunderbird 4, following their defeats to Spawn of Scutter and Knightmare respectively. After Sir Killalot spun Vercingetorix towards the Floor Flipper, the latter ended up being flung into Dead Metal's side as it struggled to crawl across the hazard panel. By contrast, Dead Metal was unable to bring his saw into the immobilised Knightmare in the Heat Final, particularly while dragging the Leicester-based newcomer onto the Flame Pit.
Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash attack Humphrey
Heat M saw Dead Metal initially clamp and cut Humphrey during the first Eliminator, the Newark newcomer having lost drive on one side. Humphrey tried to lift Dead Metal in response, but could not prevent him from pushing it into the clutches of a waiting Sergeant Bash. He also rammed Reactor as it fought Sir Chromalot and Scorpion in the second Eliminator, later joining Sergeant Bash and Sir Killalot in their attacks on the toppled Scorpion.
Further scraps with Reactor followed during its Heat Semi-Final against Wild Thing, which twice directed the Wirstall machine into Dead Metal's CPZ. At one point, Dead Metal left his corner to free Reactor from Sir Killalot's clutches, only to drag it fully into his zone following Wild Thing's second push. Dead Metal proceeded to cut and steer Reactor into a wall spike, while the eleventh seed rammed Sergeant Bash. Both competitors would survive to a Judges' decision regardless.
Dead Metal slices into one of Millennium Bug's legs
During the first Eliminator of Heat N, Dead Metal chased Arnold, Arnold Terminegger after Behemoth forced it towards his pincers. He would ram the Team EyeEye machine again just as it was tipped against the left wall by the sixth seed, though both competitors would qualify on a Judges' decision over Rambot. Dead Metal also cut into and placed Millennium Bug on the Floor Flipper, after it was toppled over by Judge Shred 2 in the second Eliminator.
Dead Metal catches Behemoth near his CPZ
Dead Metal carries Judge Shred 2 to the Pit
Dead Metal clamps Arnold, Arnold Terminegger
Dead Metal attacks Behemoth again in the Heat N Final
Dead Metal would be heavily involved in the first Heat N Semi-Final, initially grasping Behemoth from the side after it was forced into his clutches by Judge Shred 2. Behemoth fended Dead Metal off with its scoop, ultimately winning the battle by turning Judge Shred 2 over. Sir Killalot subsequently carried the overturned Judge Shred 2 into Dead Metal's saw, before Alan Blakeman's machine took further damage from Sergeant Bash and Shunt. Dead Metal cut into Judge Shred 2 further as he dispatched it into the open Pit. Early into the second Semi-Final, he also seized Arnold, Arnold Terminegger after X-Terminator 2 pushed it at high speed towards his corner.
A brief appearance in the Heat N Final saw Dead Metal again pressuring Behemoth, forcing it into the upper-left wall spike with X-Terminator 2 nearby. Both competitors survived to the end of a closely-fought bout, with Behemoth losing the Judges' decision after suffering drive issues in the later stages.
Dead Metal and S.M.I.D.S.Y. pin Overkill GTI
During the first Eliminator of Heat O, Dead Metal briefly trapped S.M.I.D.S.Y. close to the top-left CPZ. A nudge from fourth seed Panic Attack also resulted in his saw clipping S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s front as he continued pinning it down. S.M.I.D.S.Y. escaped and later pushed Overkill GTI into Dead Metal's clutches, resulting in the Weston-super-Mare competitor sustaining two cuts from the saw. Dead Metal also attacked Saw Point as it entered his CPZ in the second Eliminator, before helping Sir Killalot, Matilda and Sergeant Bash punish the immobile Oblivion 2.
Sparks fly as Dead Metal cuts and temporarily hooks himself on Saw Point's wheel
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot dispose of Saw Point
Dead Metal's encounters with Saw Point continued into its Heat Semi-Final against Panic Attack. Following the newcomer's immobilisation, he cut into one of its sawblade wheels while Sir Killalot held it aloft. Both House Robots teamed up to pit Saw Point, despite Panic Attack's attempt to topple Sir Killalot in. The second Heat O Semi-Final saw S.M.I.D.S.Y. twice push Aggrobot 2 towards Dead Metal's vicinity. The second push occurred just after the twentieth seed became immobile, prompting Sergeant Bash to crumple and drag it away. Dead Metal later pushed Aggrobot 2 off the Floor Flipper, enabling Sir Killalot to attempt his spin trick on the latter.
In the Heat O Final, Dead Metal briefly gripped Panic Attack and S.M.I.D.S.Y. as they each entered his CPZ, but otherwise had no impact on the Welsh machine's subsequent victory.
A quieter start to Heat P saw Dead Metal attempt to grab an inverted Cerberus following its defeat in the second Eliminator. Sergeant Bash, also clamping down on Cerberus, pulled it away before he could attack. Dead Metal eventually cut into Cerberus' front-left corner and wheelguard, while helping Sergeant Bash steer Theo Kaccoufa's machine into the Pit.
Dead Metal (top-centre) digs his pincers into the beaten V-Max
Terror-Bull lifts Dead Metal
Both Heat P Semi-Finals involved Dead Metal inflicting cuts to the defeated V-Max - following its destruction at the hands of Hypno-Disc - and Terror-Bull. His punishment to V-Max extended to him pushing the Romsey reserve onto the Floor Flipper, while digging his left pincer into its already-exposed internals. Against Terror-Bull, which burnt its drive system out on the flame jet, Dead Metal also had his faceplates bent upwards by the Illkley machine's lifting arm. Ramming Terror-Bull in response, he was briefly hooked and lifted from the right-hand side, after which Raizer Blade speared and pushed Dead Metal across the arena.
Speed controllers belonging to Dead Metal were leant to Raizer Blade for its Heat Semi-Final and Final battles, as part of repairs following its initial encounter with Hypno-Disc in the Eliminators. Following Raizer Blade's immobilisation by Hypno-Disc in the Heat P Final, Dead Metal ironically dragged it away from the upper wall before Sir Killalot performed his spin trick on the Cambridge machine. Dead Metal, Shunt and Hypno-Disc then placed Raizer Blade on the Floor Flipper, confirming its elimination from the series.
Dead Metal only made three background appearances in Semi-Final 1, in Firestorm 2 vs Dominator 2, Chaos 2 vs Tornado and Pussycat vs Dominator 2. In the latter Round 2 clash, he was briefly approached from the top-left CPZ by a sideways Pussycat, but was not shown to attack the nineteenth seed as it proceeded to win via a Judges' decision.
Dead Metal cuts through the side of Spawn of Scutter
Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash finish Spawn of Scutter off
The House Robots - lead by Dead Metal and Sir Killalot - attend to Splinter's remains
A more substantial presence in Semi-Final 2 began in Spawn of Scutter vs Panic Attack. Dead Metal was the first House Robot to attack the tenth seed, which lost the Round 1 bout after Panic Attack stacked it against the centre entry gate. While grasping Spawn of Scutter from the side, he cut into both its polycarbonate panels and the anodised aluminium frame within. Dead Metal subsequently helped Sergeant Bash pit the Team Scutterbots machine.
Early into Hypno-Disc vs Splinter, Dead Metal clutched the second seed as it was pushed into him by Stuart and Craig Weightman's machine. No damage was inflicted, however, as Hypno-Disc proceeded to gradually tear Splinter apart in spectacular fashion. Once Splinter itself became fully immobilised in the left perimeter, Dead Metal grabbed and cut into its remains, later to be joined by Sir Killalot and Sergeant Bash.
Dead Metal cleaves through X-Terminator 2
Dead Metal and Wild Thing trap Hypno-Disc
Dead Metal also sunk his saw into the aluminum-clad front of X-Terminator 2, once Wild Thing pressured the twenty-second seed into his CPZ. He later grasped X-Terminator 2 again as Wild Thing turned it over in the same area. X-Terminator 2 bent its self-righting arms trying to recover, its failure to do so compelling Dead Metal and Shunt to damage and pin it further into the corner. Though not active in the first Round 2 match (Stinger vs Panic Attack), Dead Metal briefly helped Wild Thing again in its later battle against Hypno-Disc. The ninth seed pushed Hypno-Disc disc-first into his pincers, allowing the two machines to pin it in place for several seconds. This, plus other controlling attacks by Wild Thing, would not prevent the Adams family machine from losing the Judges' decision to Hypno-Disc on damage.
Chaos 2 lifts Dead Metal and Stinger simultaneously
While generally relegated to background appearances throughout the Grand Final episode, Dead Metal would have a more involved role in the second Eliminator between Chaos 2 and Stinger. Towards the later stages of the fight, Chaos 2 threw the thirtieth seed into him from the middle of the left perimeter. Dead Metal grappled Stinger against the wall, only for both robots to be lifted simultaneously by the defending champion's flipper. Chaos 2 gave Dead Metal an extra flick once all three machines separated, and ultimately received the Judges' decision on 'quality of control'.
In the full five-minute version of Chaos 2 vs Pussycat, included in the UK DVD release of Ultimate Warrior Collection: Chaos 2, Dead Metal briefly lunged at Pussycat as it crabwalked on its side towards his CPZ.[17] Otherwise, he would have no bearing on the Fourth Wars title fight, or Chaos 2's success in defending its UK Championship title.
Dead Metal fails to stop 101 hitting the 75-point target
Dead Metal controls Hypno-Disc during the closing seconds of its Pinball Warrior run
Dead Metal's main role in Pinball Warrior was mostly unchanged from previous series, with the majority of competitors' runs seeing him guard the 75-point target. His initial defence of the target against 101 (Heat A) faltered, however, once Sir Killalot crossed into the patrol zone while chasing the Kettering machine. Dead Metal moved himself away from the target, and was too slow to stop 101 from brushing it with its left track. By contrast, he blocked Hypno-Disc (Heat B) from hitting the target, pushing it back with his pincers above the disc.
Dead Metal (background, top-right) forces Stinger to climb out of the shallow Pit
For Stinger's run (Heat D), Dead Metal was given the freedom of the arena, effectively swapping places with Sir Killalot. Taking advantage of this new-found freedom, he ambushed Stinger after it knocked down the top-right barrel stack, forcing it into the shallow Pit nearby. Dead Metal kept chasing and pressuring Stinger once it drove back out immediately, but was unable to clamp it before time ran out.
Spawn of Scutter capitalises on Dead Metal's strategic error
Dead Metal returned to his usual place for Spawn of Scutter's attempt (Heat E), initially succeeding in blocking its path to the 75-point target. However, he immediately moved towards the car doors, gifting Spawn of Scutter a free drive to the target during an exceptional 245-point run. After Bigger Brother (Heat G) hit the multi-ball release, Dead Metal repeatedly seized and blocked the Brighton machine, countering its high speed and agility.
Dead Metal guards his target as King B3 slams into the wall
Dead Metal swapped places with Sir Killalot again for S.M.I.D.S.Y.'s run (Heat H), where he pressured and exchanged rams with the latter as it struggled to knock down the top barrel stacks. A later chase allowed Dead Metal to pressure S.M.I.D.S.Y. further, during its unsuccessful attempts to hit the 75 and left 50-point targets. Against King B3 (Heat I), he thwarted various attempts by the 32nd seed to hit the 75-point target, using similar tactics as in Bigger Brother’s run. Despite this, Dead Metal was slow to prevent King B3 from a last-second drive towards the target; this drive ended in King B3 itself slamming into the wall on the left, having become stuck in reverse.
Dead Metal (right) shadows Razer during its late attack on Sir Killalot
Three more swaps with Sir Killalot enabled Dead Metal to attack Razer (Heat J), Banshee (Heat K) and Diotoir (Heat L) early into their runs. He would not, however, prevent any of the aforementioned machines from knocking down one stack of barrels each, or attempting to hit the 50-point targets. Dead Metal shadowed both Razer and Banshee as they approached Sir Killalot, with Razer proceeding to attack Sir Killalot's hydraulics. Dead Metal attempted to grapple Banshee at this late point in its run, but without success, having also failed to stop it from activating the multi-ball release.
In Diotoir's run, Dead Metal first attacked the Irish machine after it deliberately drove past and was again set alight by Sergeant Bash. Both House Robots surrounded Diotoir once it speared its arm on the multi-ball release, which activated once Dead Metal pushed it further forwards.
Dead Metal (centre-left), about to catch one of the Gemini twins during their winning run
Returning to his normal place for Gemini's run (Heat M), Dead Metal blocked and later grabbed one half of the Team Mace clusterbot as it tried to reach his target. This hold was sustained until near the very end, when the Gemini segment hit the tyre as soon as it was released. The latter drive boosted Gemini's score to a competition-winning 255 points.
Dead Metal again enjoyed free runs in Firestorm 2 (Heat N) and Inverterbrat's (Heat O) attempts. He first directed Firestorm 2 away from Sergeant Bash's target while it suffered intermittent cut-outs. Towards the end of the run, he approached the fifth seed during its attempt to hit Matilda’s target. In response, Firestorm 2 shoved Dead Metal tail-first into a waiting Sir Killalot, which had the effect of dislodging the latter's breastplate.
Killerhurtz outpaces Dead Metal in the final Pinball Warrior challenge
For the final Pinball Warrior run involving Killerhurtz (Heat P), Dead Metal patrolled the 75-point target once again. A rapid start from Killerhurtz enabled it to knock down both barrel stacks and hit the left 50-point target within the first fifteen seconds. Dead Metal clamped and spun the Team Hurtz machine from within his patrol zone, but not before it rammed the 75-point target as well.
Dead Metal (bottom-left) helps pit Wild Thing following its Celebrity Special defeat
As well as being the first House Robot introduced in the Celebrity Special, Dead Metal participated in every Eliminator battle and the overall Final of this episode. Alongside Sergeant Bash, he initially attacked Diotoir (Vic Reeves) and Wild Thing (Shauna Lowry) while both competitors were still mobile. Dead Metal later closed in on Wild Thing after it stopped moving against the left wall, and assisted Sir Killalot in pitting it.
Dead Metal attacks Iron-Awe again
In the second Eliminator, Dead Metal left his CPZ again to clamp one half of Gemini (Anthea and Wendy Turner), but otherwise did not influence its victory over Killertron (Chris Eubank). He later helped Sir Chromalot (Shane Lynch) push Disc-O-Inferno (5ive) onto the Floor Flipper, and locked weapons with Iron-Awe (Natalie Cassidy) as it lay stationary against the wall while fighting Pussycat (Adam Woodyatt). The latter fight also saw Dead Metal shove Pussycat against the side of Iron-Awe, moments after Iron-Awe had been flipped over with assistance from the Gloucester machine.
Dead Metal catches a smouldering and struggling Diotoir
The Celebrity Special Final saw Dead Metal catch Diotoir again and slice into it from the main combat zone. He, Shunt and Sir Killalot closed in on the smouldering Irish machine, which was duly sent to the Floor Flipper and pitted.
Dead Metal joined the Tag Team Terror from the second Eliminator (King B3 & 101 vs X-Terminator 2 & Inverterbrat), partnering Sergeant Bash for this and the remainder of the special. Starting from the lower-left CPZ, he left the corner to chase Inverterbrat and settle within the red zone. Here, Dead Metal briefly caught King B3, and later moved to drag 101 back into this zone after it pushed Inverterbrat into the top-left CPZ. After Inverterbrat was left pinned under the left entry gate, Dead Metal closed in to attack and pin the Bratwurst Designs competitor to the end.
Dead Metal drags and cuts Scorpion
Though largely inactive in the Play Off (X-Terminator 2 & Inverterbrat vs Bigger Brother & Plunderbird 4), Dead Metal was briefly seen attacking an immobile Inverterbrat again while X-Terminator 2 accidentally drove itself into the Pit. In the Final, he initially grabbed and cut into Scorpion following its immobilisation under pressure from 101. Dead Metal also attempted to break up the squabble between the victorious 101 and King B3, briefly controlling and pinning Mike Franklin's machine against the lower wall.
- ""You want to get a Grudge Match sorted amongst yourselves, team members? No! We'll have a little piece of you as well!" says Dead Metal, on King B3! In the pincers! 101 under pressure from Bash! They've won this Tag Team Terror, of course! But now WE want retribution! You should've been friends and teammates! You should've kept the peace! You haven't... and this is our own version of a peace summit!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal separates King B3 from 101
Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash break up the King B3/101 squabble in the Tag Team Terror Final
A further attack was inflicted on Scorpion, before Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash set out to again force King B3 and 101 apart from each other. Grabbing and pushing King B3 in his pincers, he unsuccessfully tried to cut Simon Harrison's machine near the closed Pit, while steering it towards the top-left corner of the main combat zone. Dead Metal released, then grabbed and pulled King B3 back a final time after it drove up the also-immobile Firestorm 2. In spite of his efforts, 101 rammed King B3 after 'Cease' was called, as the two informal 'rivals' claimed the inaugural Tag Team Terror title.
Dead Metal was again present in the final two rounds of both Annihilators. In Round 4 of the Northern Annihilator, he and Matilda approached Killerhurtz from either side as it was officially confirmed to have been eliminated.
Dead Metal pushes Dominator 2, while Spikasaurus is left impaled on the wall
The Northern Annihilator Final initially saw Spikasaurus ram Dominator 2 into Dead Metal at high speed, enabling Dead Metal to grab and push the Huntingdon machine over the flame jet. Upon releasing Dominator 2, he turned back and attempted to help Refbot free Spikasaurus from the wall. In doing so, Dead Metal drove into the wall himself, breaking his right pincer yet again. With Dominator 2 later becoming immobilised, he proceeded to cut the back of its nitride-coated titanium shell, while delivering Dominator 2 into Sir Killalot's clutches.
Dead Metal (right) and Sergeant Bash finish Onslaught off
Dead Metal's Southern Annihilator appearance was initially low-key, as he played no part in the fourth round. Following Onslaught's elimination in the Final, he and Sergeant Bash concentrated on attacking the overturned Bedford machine while Razer proceeded to crush Matilda. Both clamped Onslaught by its frame and lifting scoop, with Dead Metal ultimately dropping it into the open Pit on his own.
- "Dead Metal doing the right thing by Matilda! Onslaught in the Pit! Razer have won the Southern Annihilator... but what's to happen to poor old Matilda from now on?"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal pits Onslaught in the Southern Annihilator Final
Dead Metal (right) showers the immobile Ghetto-bot in sparks
In the War of Independence, Dead Metal initially joined Shunt and Mortis in attacking the immobilised Ghetto-bot. After cutting into the Michigan entry, he backed up and pinned it over the Flame Pit alongside Matilda. Dead Metal also had a brief role in the second Eliminator (Panic Attack vs Rammstein), lunging at Panic Attack as it backed up and proceeded to pit the Team Loki machine. Following a further background appearance in Ming 2 vs The Mangulator, he next helped Shunt place Detonator on the Floor Flipper after the latter's pummelling by frenZy.
The House Robots, including Dead Metal, surround an immobilised Ming 2
Dead Metal was also involved in both War of Independence Semi-Finals as well as the overall Final. Initially, he grasped Panic Attack after it turned Mortis over against the upper-right wall during the first Semi-Final. Mortis later controlled Panic Attack back towards Dead Metal's CPZ with its axe, though Dead Metal played no further part in the remaining televised footage of this match. The second Semi-Final saw Dead Metal drag and place Ming 2 over the Floor Flipper, then ram it after 'Cease'; Ming 2 having been immobilised by frenZy's first hammer blow. Following Mortis' victory in the Final, Dead Metal joined his fellow House Robots in punishing the inverted frenZy, almost backing through the opened centre gate in the process.
Extreme 1[]
Dead Metal, along with the other core House Robots, made recurring appearances throughout the first series of the spin-off Robot Wars Extreme. Both of the first two episodes involved him featuring in two battles each.
Dead Metal grabs hold of Stinger in the opening Episode 1 battle
Episode 1 saw Dead Metal partner with Sir Killalot in the first fight of the series to be televised: the Vengeance match between Stinger and Tornado. Here, he would play a small, but significant role from the upper-left CPZ, catching Stinger as the Huntingdon-based machine shoved it into his vicinity. Dead Metal clipped Stinger's tyre during the exchange, only for the Fourth Wars third-place finisher to whack his left faceplate as it retreated.
- "Down comes the great bludgeon on Dead Metal... and a poke in the eye for one of the House Robots there, from Stinger!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, over a replay of Stinger's quick escape from Dead Metal
Dead Metal briefly slices the back of Tornado
When both competitors later returned to the same corner, Dead Metal lifted and briefly cut into the back of Tornado as it pushed Stinger near the CPZ boundary. Smoke rose on contact, but this attack would have no effect on Tornado's functionality. As this happened, Stinger got around and wedged the back of Dead Metal with its mace. Both competitors briefly ganged up against Dead Metal at this point, with Tornado ramming each of his pincers before resuming its controlling attacks on Stinger.
- "It was a thumping bash Stinger gave Dead Metal up there – and Dead Metal's obviously hot UNDER THE COLLAR AND COMES OUT AFTER TORNADO this time! Wanting vengeance of its own, Dead Metal! Look at this! Comes out, gets the claws around Tornado! Gets the saw... onto the basic frame of Tornado as well! And smoke came up from the welded steel chassis, of Tornado. [Tornado] seem okay now. Dead Metal... is very much part of the warzone now!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Dead Metal briefly cuts into Tornado
Dead Metal gains a 'tail' while chasing Diotoir
Episode 1 also marked Dead Metal's first appearance in the All-Stars Tournament, in the second first-round clash between Diotoir and Wheely Big Cheese. Here, he rammed Diotoir a few times after it was flipped over and counted out, almost re-righting it completely at one point. Dead Metal remained stationary against a nearby angle grinder for a few moments, but would chase Diotoir around after Sir Killalot turned it back over. During the subsequent chase, a large strand of Diotoir's fur became caught in Dead Metal's right wheel assembly, essentially giving him a polka-dot 'tail' as he kept following and ramming the already-eliminated Irish competitor.
Dead Metal's run in Episode 2 began with his second All-Stars clash in as many episodes - Panic Attack vs X-Terminator, though neither he nor Sir Killalot were officially introduced for this. A brief exchange with Panic Attack - where the Series 2 champion reversed into his left side - initially amounted to nothing, though Dead Metal left his CPZ to graze it while it lifted and ultimately sent X-Terminator into the Pit. Immediately after this fight, Dead Metal would appear again alongside Shunt for the episode's Main Event - the Mayhem qualifier featuring Ming 3, Wheely Big Cheese and Hypno-Disc.
Dead Metal slices one of Wheely Big Cheese's wheels
Following a dominant and highly destructive performance by Hypno-Disc, he first shoved the wheel-less Ming 3 into Refbot, who counted both of the Somerset-based machines out. Dead Metal pulled away from Ming 3 as Shunt pushed it onto the Floor Flipper, before proceeding to grab Wheely Big Cheese and attack one of its titanium wheels.
- "Wheely Big Cheese in the grapple of Dead Metal. OH, and look at this! This is why this is the battle of the night! They love it! Destruction! The SPARKS fly! Dead Metal slicing into Wheely Big Cheese!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal starts cutting into Wheely Big Cheese's wheel
Bright sparks flew across the entire arena centre as Dead Metal repeatedly cut into the wheel, scuffing its red-painted surface and damaging some of its golf studs in the process. Once these attacks finished, Dead Metal helped Shunt push both defeated competitors into the Pit, placing Ming 3's chassis over the chasm.
Dead Metal's appearances in Episodes 3 and 4 grew to three battles per show. In the case of Episode 3, the first two of these would be in both of the featured All-Stars battles (Firestorm 3 vs Panic Attack and Behemoth vs Hypno-Disc).
Dead Metal (background, centre) contributes to Panic Attack's All-Stars elimination
In Firestorm 3 vs Panic Attack, he left his CPZ to ram the Welsh competitor with his pincers, after it was thrown onto the upper wall by the former. No penalties were seemingly issued to Dead Metal, however, as he effectively teamed up with Sir Killalot and Firestorm 3 to pressure Panic Attack further. These efforts ultimately left Panic Attack stuck on top of Dead Metal's pincers. Rather than force a separation, however, Refbot initiated a quick count-out for Kim Davies' machine; Dead Metal brought his saw forward against Panic Attack's left-hand side as 'Cease' was called.
Refbot intervenes as Dead Metal attacks Behemoth
In stark contrast, Dead Metal was twice penalised for competitor attacks in Behemoth vs Hypno-Disc. Having initially moved within reach of the then two-time Grand Finalist at one point, he initially proceeded to grab Behemoth as it controlled and held Hypno-Disc within Sgt. Bash's CPZ. Though both competitors were fully within the CPZ boundaries, the attack on Behemoth was deemed to be illegal. Refbot first nudged Dead Metal from the side, forcing him to back off, then issued him a yellow card.
- "Oh look at this! Dead Metal's attacking Behemoth! That is bang out of order! He can't do that, and the Refbot quite rightly going in, is he giving him a yellow card I wonder? I think he brandished there, yes he has! The Metal gets a yellow card and quite rightly so! "Get out of there!" Wouldn't argue with the Refbot, not in his current mood!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Refbot gives Dead Metal a yellow card
Dead Metal attacks Behemoth again, resulting in him being given a red card
Later on, Behemoth pushed Hypno-Disc flywheel-first into the lower-left CPZ. Dead Metal approached, again catching and twice forcing the Team Make Robotics machine against the wall. Behemoth escaped and responded by ramming Dead Metal from the left-hand side. Though both competitors were initially within the CPZ boundaries again, Refbot issued Dead Metal with a red card, the first time that a House Robot had been given one in a televised UK fight. Dead Metal headed back into the lower-left CPZ while this happened, remaining there for the rest of the battle.
- "And Refbot does come in and I think... yes indeed, he has! He's sent Dead Metal back into the CPZ! "You cannot come out and play anymore, you naughty boy!" Home, boy, and do not come out again!"
- — Jonathan Pearce scolds Dead Metal as Refbot issues him a red card
Dead Metal's transgressions would be referenced in Behemoth's subsequent Challenge Belt duel against Stinger. Though aired in Episode 3 as well, this battle was among those in Extreme 1 to be actually filmed concurrently with The Fifth Wars. Here, Dead Metal was again stationed in the lower-left CPZ, but otherwise did not interfere with Behemoth's successful belt defence.
Dead Metal drags the active 3 Stegs 2 Heaven towards the Floor Flipper
Episode 4's appearances began with the All-Stars matches between Wild Thing and Dominator 2; and Tornado and 3 Stegs 2 Heaven. While Dead Metal's presence in the former was minimal, he would ram and drag the then brand-new Jurassic Park machine onto the Floor Flipper while it suffered recurring traction and drive issues. 3 Stegs 2 Heaven, despite still being considered mobile, was promptly flung by the hazard. As 'Cease' was called, Dead Metal made a final lunge at the inverted 3 Stegs 2 Heaven, after Tornado shoved the latter onto the Flame Pit.
Dead Metal attacks Splinter during the Episode 4 Mayhem
In the Mayhem battle between Killertron, Splinter and Aggrobot 3, Dead Metal was initially seen patrolling the left-most perimeter, in the moments leading to Aggrobot 3's flip on Splinter. He again left his CPZ to attack the newly-rebuilt Series 4 Semi-Finalist, cutting into its armour and holding it in place. Another intervention by Refbot prompted Dead Metal to push Splinter and Aggrobot 3 back, while taking a whack to his saw guard from Splinter's axe. These House Robot interventions ultimately re-righted Splinter, while also leading to Aggrobot 3's elimination, as it had become stuck on its own downward-firing lifting arm by this time. Dead Metal repeatedly cut into Aggrobot 3's side before and after its count-out, before Sir Killalot carried the latter to the Flame Pit and Floor Flipper. Tussles with the still-mobile Splinter followed, again without any apparent penalties from Refbot.
Dead Metal pins Major Tom against an angle grinder
Episode 5 saw Dead Metal make two further appearances, the first in the opening Tag Team Terror bout (Bigger Brother & Major Tom vs Spawn Again & Comengetorix). Contributions here were minimal, though he would pin Major Tom against an angle grinder following its count-out by Refbot. Dead Metal kept pushing the immobile Isle of Sheppey machine around in his claws, over a flame jet, onto the Floor Flipper. Once Major Tom was flung, he and Sir Killalot teamed up to push it into the Pit of Oblivion, though the length of Major Tom's bumper car body prevented it from fully going down.
In the Armed Forces Melee - the Main Event of the same episode - Dead Metal, starting from the lower-left CPZ, first clipped a speeding Mega-Hurts as the Royal Navy competitor tried to speed past. Moments after Army representative Rhino pressed the Pit release tyre, he briefly found himself stuck on the edge of the hazard. Dead Metal later relocated to the upper-left CPZ, where he would be lifted up by, then slice into the back of Mega-Hurts as he crashed down on top of it. Shunt approached both robots, lifting Mega-Hurts and allowing it to escape.
Dead Metal pushes Anvil into the Pit at the end of the Armed Forces Melee
Later on in the same fight, an excursion away from the CPZs lead Dead Metal to start attacking Anvil, the Royal Air Force machine. After settling in the lower-right corner, he ultimately proceeded to shove Anvil into the Pit, while Anvil tried to push Rhino in to join the already-eliminated Mega-Hurts.
- "And the Army boys will be in the trench AS WELL, I THINK! HERE THEY GO! ANVIL WITH A PUSH - AND IN COMES DEAD METAL! ANVIL HAVE GONE IN AS WELL! THEY'RE ALL IN THERE! Oh! Forces boys, that was the pits!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Dead Metal contributes to an impromptu triple pitting in the Armed Forces Melee
As a consequence of Dead Metal's interference, the Melee went to a Judges' decision, which immediately ruled Anvil the winner regardless.
Dead Metal's appearances in Episode 6 again increased to three – the Challenge Belt clash between Behemoth and Tornado; the Mayhem qualifier between X-Terminator, Panzer Wraith and Cataclysmic Variabot; and the International Mayhem. However, he would play very little part in the former two battles, with Matilda and Shunt respectively inflicting all of the televised House Robot attacks in these. Dead Metal would drive precariously close to the pit in the Mayhem, before Cataclysmic Variabot was delivered there by Shunt and X-Terminator.
An errant Dead Metal, after Chaos 2 flips Alien Destructor onto his saw
The International Mayhem - a 2v1 clash involving Chaos 2, plus the Belgian Philipper and Dutch Alien Destructor - saw much more activity from Dead Metal. At one point, he caught Alien Destructor as it strayed over the Flame Pit, pushing it and Chaos 2 together in the process. Chaos 2 flipped Alien Destructor onto Dead Metal's saw, as Jonathan Pearce questioned whether Dead Metal's contribution was a legal House Robot attack.
- "What's Dead Metal doing in there?! Didn't really come in at that stage, I wouldn't have thought! Refbot, have a word... maybe, Dead Metal there is just saying "Hang on, two against one? I'll even up the score!""
- — Jonathan Pearce, calling Dead Metal's attack on Alien Destructor and Chaos 2 into question
Dead Metal and Shunt attack the inverted Philipper
Regardless, Dead Metal circled around Philipper once it was thrown onto its back and was being counted out. Once the Poppe family's machine was eliminated, he began carving into its front lifter, sparks flying as Shunt also joined in to axe through Philipper's already-damaged baseplate.
Matilda pushes an immobile Splinter into Dead Metal
Dead Metal next appeared in the third and fourth rounds of the first Annihilator, forming the seventh episode of the series. In the former, he briefly approached Splinter and Pussycat from the left perimeter as they teamed up to pit the immobile Hypno-Disc. The fourth round began with Pussycat shoving Splinter from the centre into Dead Metal's CPZ, the House Robot stationed in the lower-right corner. Dead Metal's attempts to utilise his saw there proved virtually fruitless as both competitors escaped quickly. Later on, after Splinter became immobilised and was counted out, Dead Metal briefly attempted to cut the axe of Team Ivanhoe's machine once it had been delivered to him by Matilda. More saw attacks followed before Matilda pushed Splinter away onto the Floor Flipper.
Dead Metal was again present in two battles from Episode 8 - the Mayhem between Atomic 2, Fighting Torque and MouseTrap 2, and the All-Stars battle between Stinger and Pussycat. For both, he would once again be joined by Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal cleaves through the side of MouseTrap 2
In both battles, Dead Metal again left his CPZ to patrol the arena centre and right-most perimeter. Once MouseTrap 2 was turned over in the aforementioned Mayhem, he briefly pressured it and Atomic 2 before the returning Launchbury family competitor was counted out. Dead Metal repeatedly cut into the left side of MouseTrap 2's chassis after it was thrown by the Floor Flipper, while pushing and pinning it in the upper-right CPZ. He concluded the battle by backing the overturned Fighting Torque over the Flame Pit. In the All-Stars, Pussycat briefly backed into Dead Metal whilst he was on patrol, but Dead Metal would not interfere in an otherwise evenly-contested duel.
Dead Metal (left) approaches the open Pit with the release tyre in his grip
A further two appearances in Episode 9 began with the Vengeance grudge match between Ming 3 and Mega Morg. After initially shuttling across the lower-right corner, he would collect the pit release tyre after Sir Killalot used Mega Morg to force it off the wall. While attempting and eventually succeeding in cutting into the tyre, Dead Metal inadvertently drove over the edge of the opened Pit, getting himself stuck there for a few moments.
- "But Mega Morg VERY NEARLY IN THE PIT - AND SO TOO, DEAD METAL! You're supposed to do the tidying up, Dead Metal! Not go in the rubbish tip yourself! Silly old thing!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal, Pit release tyre in hand, gets himself stuck on the Pit edge
Later on, as the battle went to a relatively uneventful conclusion, Dead Metal grasped and cut into the back plate of Ming 3's crushing arm, before grabbing Mega Morg before 'Cease' was called. His and Sir Killalot's interference would not prevent Ming 3 from winning the bout on a Judges' decision.
Dead Metal's other Episode 9 appearance was a starring role in the episode's Main Event - the House Robot Rebellion. Together with Shunt - both later assisted by Matilda - he faced a team of competitors comprising of Stinger, Plunderbird 5 and Scorpion, all of which aimed to survive and win against the House Robots in pure combat.
Dead Metal during an early moment in the House Robot Rebellion
From the outset, Dead Metal concentrated on pressuring Stinger, initially shoving it aside with his right pincer. While giving chase, he was rammed from the opposite side by Plunderbird 5, and in retaliation clawed and sliced into the International Wreck Crew entry. After Plunderbird 5 broke free and was thrown by the Floor Flipper, Dead Metal resumed his duel with Stinger, weathering another slam from its mace. While trying to control Stinger into the lower-right CPZ, he was boxed in by an ensemble of Shunt, Scorpion and Plunderbird 5. Dead Metal, undeterred, attempted to trap Stinger after it pressed the Pit release button. He then turned into and began a first tussle with Scorpion, before taking another whack from Stinger while Shunt pitted Plunderbird 5.
Dead Metal cuts into Stinger's wheel hub
Dead Metal again cornered Stinger against the right-hand side wall, only to briefly catch himself on a nearby angle grinder. He and Shunt would then sandwich both of the remaining competitors together, giving Dead Metal the chance to pitch Stinger onto its side and seize it in place.
- "Scorpion can't get away and Stinger's been clutched by Dead Metal! The wheels are spinnin', but there's no one at home, boys! Down in the Pit, they cry! The Scorpion's on the Flame Pit! Again, you see, we hold all the aces! Were you brave, or were you foolhardy? Who volunteers these days for anything? You did! "Ha-ha, we've got you now!" says Dead Metal! Stinger in the clutches!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal seizes, controls and prepares to cut into Stinger's wheel hubs
After controlling Stinger across the arena and onto the Flame Pit, he would proceed to cut into its upper-most wheel hub multiple times, while Shunt joined in to axe the rubber tyre treads and mace arm. Within the final seconds, Dead Metal released his grip and backed out while Shunt and Matilda each rammed Stinger, the only remaining survivor and victor among the competitors.
Dead Metal would again make two appearances in Episode 10, in the All-Stars Quarter-Finals between Wheely Big Cheese and Chaos 2; and Firestorm 3 and Wild Thing. Participation in the former was limited, even as Chaos 2 threw Wheely Big Cheese into his CPZ. This prompted Shunt to also drive in and, similarly to Dead Metal's actions in Behemoth vs Hypno-Disc, attack Roger Plant's machine while outside his own corner. Dead Metal pressured Wheely Big Cheese further at a later moment, while the latter unsuccessfully tried to throw Chaos 2 over.
Dead Metal and Shunt team up against Wild Thing
In Firestorm 3 vs Wild Thing, Dead Metal was again partnered with Shunt. Early on, he rammed Wild Thing on his way into the lower-left CPZ, as the Adams family entry self-righted in response to Firestorm 3's initial flip. Firestorm 3 briefly rammed and drove under Dead Metal's left side, before Dead Metal himself relocated to the top-left CPZ. Another brush with both competitors there allowed Dead Metal to slam Wild Thing into the wall, while cutting into its back armour. Wild Thing was lifted disc-first into Dead Metal's saw by Firestorm 3. This had the effect of allowing Dead Metal to trap Wild Thing in his pincers at an angle, as he and Shunt proceeded to attack it simultaneously. After Wild Thing was eventually left stuck on its lifting arm and counted out, both House Robots jointly pushed it towards the Pit. Dead Metal, gripping Wild Thing during this moment, was in turn lifted from behind and shoved into the lower-left CPZ by Firestorm 3.
Following a complete absence from Episode 11, Episode 12 would see Dead Metal take part in both the first and last battles of the episode, alongside Shunt once again.
The first would be the penultimate Mayhem qualifier for the second Annihilator, between Bulldog Breed 3, Spirit of Knightmare and Judge Shred 2½. A brief encounter with Bulldog Breed 3 marked Dead Metal's passiveness in the initial moments. However, he would team up with Shunt once more to attack Spirit of Knightmare, after it had become immobilised and was counted out. Dead Metal controlled Spirit of Knightmare onto the Floor Flipper; as the latter was being tossed across the arena, he was also seen in the background cutting into the inverted and also-eliminated Judge Shred 2½. Both House Robots again teamed up to pit Judge Shred 2½, though Dead Metal would play little part in the actual pitting.
Dead Metal strikes the back of Chaos 2 during its All-Stars Semi-Final
The second of these fights was the All-Stars Semi-Final between Chaos 2 and Tornado, a rematch of their prior encounter in Series 4. Dead Metal remained largely in the background throughout, until he first caught Chaos 2 after it threw Tornado over opposite the top-left CPZ. In turn, Tornado would press Chaos 2 against the wall on this side, giving Dead Metal a chance to catch and potentially slice into the flipper cover of George Francis' machine. These attempts failed as Chaos 2 threw and held Dead Metal upwards. However, once Chaos 2 bumped the wall while trying to escape, Dead Metal pounced and cut into its double-layered armour on the upper rear-left corner. Bright sparks flew as the saw reached the inner titanium layer, though Chaos 2 would finally break free from Dead Metal's clutches seconds later.
Dead Metal traps Chaos 2 and Tornado in a CPZ
Later in the same battle, Tornado pursued and boxed Chaos 2 into the lower-left CPZ. Dead Metal rushed in to catch Tornado from the side while it was positioned in the centre of the zone. Chaos 2 threw both machines upwards at once; the force and angle of the flip resulted in Tornado briefly being suspended upwards under Dead Metal's left pincer. Dead Metal was pushed back while still on top of Chaos 2, which in turn survived attacks from Shunt close by. Upon landing on his wheels again, Dead Metal boxed both competitors in, before taking a slice out of Chaos 2's right wheel cover. This exchange ultimately lead to Tornado being unstuck from the wall by Refbot, an action met with booing from the audience. In their subsequent decision, the Judges ruled that, as Tornado had initially forced Chaos 2 into the CPZ, Dead Metal's own attack on it again contravened the House Robot rules in place at the time.[18]
Chaos 2 flicks Dead Metal during the Episode 13 Challenge Belt battle
Dead Metal creates more sparks from Chaos 2's side panel
Another Chaos 2 vs Tornado encounter formed Dead Metal's only appearance in Episode 13, this time in their Challenge Belt bout. Once again joined by Shunt, he swiped Chaos 2 into the upper-left entry gate seconds after Tornado pushed it into his CPZ. A second similar push by Tornado later on allowed him to catch, grind into the side of and push Chaos 2 back, though not without getting flicked upwards yet again. Dead Metal survived another flick as he pushed Chaos 2 into the same CPZ, while grazing its front armour. Though unable to prevent Shunt from being flipped over by the double UK Champion, he would take advantage of the latter's partial immobilisation, by grabbing and cutting it from the right-hand side. Dead Metal steadily pushed Chaos 2 around back into the main combat zone, while in turn getting buffeted and shoved from the back by Tornado. Once Chaos 2 was counted out, Dead Metal positioned it onto the Floor Flipper, though not without Chaos 2 giving him a final retaliatory flick.
After not being present at all in the second Annihilator episode, Dead Metal partnered Matilda for the first two battles of Episode 15, the last regular episode of the series.
In the Vengeance battle between Napalm and Thermidor 2, he would attempt to grasp Napalm as it was getting thrown around in the right-most perimeter by Thermidor 2. Thermidor 2 stopped Dead Metal with a quick flick, forcing him to back away. Dead Metal proceeded to cut into the arm for Napalm's rear spikes, only to drive into the side of Refbot after the latter completed Napalm's count-out. By contrast, he would serve no major role in Tornado's Challenge Belt defence against Pussycat, with Matilda being responsible for all House Robot attacks throughout this fight.
In contrast to prior international events, Dead Metal's presence in The Second World Championship (also aired in Extreme Warriors Season 1 as the World Championship) was relatively limited. His only appearance in the tournament was in the final four-way Heat, between Panzer Mk2, Tornado, Philipper and Yeborobo, where he initially patrolled the lower-left CPZ. Early on, Tornado pushed the then recently-crowned US champion behind Dead Metal into this area, though Dead Metal did not attack as Panzer Mk2 responded with a flick on the UK representative. Dead Metal was later seen in the background moving towards the upper-left CPZ, where the South African Yeborobo lay immobile, briefly stopping near the flame jet en route.
Dead Metal's last appearance of the series was in the final of the Forces Special, between Anvil and Mega-Hurts - his only battle in this episode. As in the Armed Forces Melee, he would be partnered with Shunt, and was once again involved in a controversial moment with the RAF Kinloss representative.
Dead Metal pits Anvil illegally
After the Pit had been opened mid-fight, Dead Metal briefly approached Anvil while outside the boundaries of the lower-right CPZ. He would also ram and briefly slice Mega-Hurts after Refbot freed it from a nearby angle grinder. While Anvil drove around the side of Dead Metal, he in turn helped push it into the CPZ, which Anvil quickly escaped from. Later on, while both competitors were on the opposite side of the arena, Dead Metal again left his CPZ, crossing the edge of the Pit while ramming and trying to seize Anvil in his pincers. As Anvil backed away, Dead Metal spun and followed it, nudging Anvil into the Pit itself in the process. He proceeded to slice into Mega-Hurts as its team pre-emptively celebrated, after which Craig Charles addressed to the audience that Dead Metal's attack was 'an illegal move'.
As in the Armed Forces Melee, a Judges' decision was made based on the events leading up to that moment. Dead Metal's pitting was again overruled, and Anvil was deemed the outright winner of the Forces Special.
Series 5[]
- "Dead Metal is what you'll become - torn, twisted robo-remnants - if you get caught by the pneumatic pincers or trashed by the 3,000rpm circular saw!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, introducing Dead Metal in Series 5, Heat A
Dead Metal had the least appearances out of all House Robots in The Fifth Wars, meaning that notable moments were few and far between. While he was featured in the initial House Robot introduction broadcast in Heat A, his first battle of the series would not take place until the Eliminator stage of Heat B, this being the match between Atomic 2 and Kan-Opener. With Kan-Opener being unable to self-right following Atomic 2's flips, and Sir Killalot dispatching it into the Pit, Dead Metal played very little part in the battle itself.
Dead Metal slices into Hippobotomus
Dead Metal would appear in three of the Eliminators from Heat C. In the closing moments of S3 vs Plunderbird 5, he briefly clattered into the defeated International Wreck Crew machine while it was being carried towards the Floor Flipper by Sir Killalot. Dead Metal's most significant contribution in this episode occurred during Stinger vs Hippobotomus. There, he trapped Hippobotomus and carved through its sandpit shell lid multiple times. Though these attacks caused the lid to loosen and part of Hippobotomus' inner foam covering to fall out, the Team Torque machine survived to a Judges' decision. Dead Metal proceeded to leave his CPZ entirely and push Hippobotomus with his rear spike just as 'Cease' was called.
Dead Metal pits one half of Gemini, along with himself
Two further appearances in the Heat D Semi-Finals saw Dead Metal attempting to pit Sir Chromalot and Gemini following their defeats to Firestorm 3 and Reactor 2 respectively. In the former, he managed to get himself suspended over the hazard lip, with his left wheel over the edge and the Hub Nuts machine in his grip. Sgt. Bash assisted by pushing both robots back, allowing Sir Chromalot to drop down. Against Gemini, Dead Metal grabbed and pushed one half of the clusterbot down unassisted; the force of his shove, however, resulted in him driving partially over the edge and again getting stranded.
Dead Metal (bottom-left), about to drag the inverted Alien back
A similar pattern would be evident in Heat E, where Dead Metal was only allocated to appear in both Semi-Final bouts alongside Shunt. While neither would impact Wild Thing's victory over Napalm 2, they would team up to attack The Alien after it got flipped, stuck on its own srimech and counted out against Prizephita Mach 2. Dead Metal concentrated on dragging The Alien back while its spinning hammers still rotated, briefly grazing its front end with his saw.
Following a complete absence from Heat F, Dead Metal made single-battle appearances in Heats G-J. In Heat G, this occurred during the Heat Semi-Final between Diotoir and Tornado, though Dead Metal played no part in Diotoir's surprise victory over the twelfth seed.
Dead Metal is launched by Wheely Big Cheese
In Heat H, Dead Metal was present for the Heat Final between tenth seed Wheely Big Cheese and Crushtacean. Early into the fight, he seized Crushtacean as it reversed into his CPZ, proceeding to cut into its top-left wheel. In an attempt to free its opponent, Wheely Big Cheese got underneath Dead Metal from the side and threw him towards the lower wall. Dead Metal, slamming back onto the floor, resumed his attacks on Crushtacean, slicing and gripping the back of its body while the Visser family machine got itself stuck on an angle grinder.
- "And meanwhile, Wheely Big Cheese was flipped, by Dead Metal, and is under pressure here by Crushtacean, which is being nipped itself by Dead Metal! The crab nipped by our own version of a scorpion out there!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal pressures Crushtacean
Dead Metal (left), Shunt and Splinter attack VIPER 01 from all sides
Dead Metal's Heat I appearance occurred in the Eliminator between Splinter and VIPER 01. On two occasions in the televised bout, he and Shunt left their CPZs to attack the Liverdyne Robotics heavyweight, ultimately steering it onto the Flame Pit in the closing moments. Neither House Robot appeared to be penalised by Refbot for either infringement, as the dominant Splinter proceeded to win on a Judges' decision. Dead Metal also helped Panic Attack pin Tiberius 2 against the wall during their Heat J Semi-Final clash - his only fight of the episode - with Shunt later becoming involved as well.
Heat K marked two Eliminator appearances for Dead Metal - in Razer vs Big Nipper and Rick vs Suicidal Tendencies. Following Big Nipper's immobilisation in the former, he and Shunt were seen to attack the debuting Team Titanium machine just as 'Cease' was called.
Twister is caught by Dead Metal
Dead Metal lays into the immobile Twister
Dead Metal next appeared in six of the seven battles from Heat L - the most he would take part in across any Fifth Wars episode. These included all four Eliminators, partnered with Matilda, where his first notable role was to prise Terrorhurtz away from Ming 3 following their double pin. Dragging Terrorhurtz by the axe head, Dead Metal released it with ten seconds on the clock; Ming 3 was unable to drive at all following a controversial attack by Matilda moments prior. Dead Metal also grabbed and cut into Twister following its immobilisation against Clawed Hopper, while simultaneously pushing it over the Flame Pit and into Matilda's flywheel.
Dead Metal closes in on an immobile Fluffy
Dead Metal pushes Fluffy into the Pit
Dead Metal twice left his CPZ during the first Heat L Semi-Final (Pussycat vs Clawed Hopper), but otherwise did not interfere. Following Fluffy's immobilisation against Pussycat in the Heat Final, he closed in on the front of the University College London representative, attempting to attack with both of his weapons. Dead Metal finished the battle by slicing Fluffy's chassis and disposing it into the Pit, but not without getting himself beached over the hazard once again.
In Semi-Final 1, Dead Metal first appeared in the initial two Round 1 clashes - S3 vs Bigger Brother and Chaos 2 vs Wild Thing. The former saw him leave his CPZ in the lower-left corner and briefly park beside the descending Pit, while Bigger Brother unsuccessfully tried to throw S3 out of the arena in the opening moments.
Dead Metal and Chaos 2 trap Wild Thing in the lower-right CPZ
Dead Metal charges into the side of Wild Thing
Dead Metal's role in Chaos 2 vs Wild Thing was more pronounced, once the defending two-time champion tossed Wild Thing into the wall surrounding his CPZ. Both boxed the Ash machine into the lower-right wall, with Chaos 2 escaping by lifting Dead Metal with its flipper. Dead Metal proceeded to grapple and drive his saw into Wild Thing's wedge plate. As Wild Thing retreated, Chaos 2 tossed it a full 360 degrees into Dead Metal's side; Dead Metal otherwise did not pressure Wild Thing as it reversed into him, then made its first attempt to shove Chaos 2 into the Pit.
Dead Metal is propped up by Wild Thing, forcing Shunt to intervene
Later on, Chaos 2 controlled Wild Thing back into Dead Metal's corner. In turn, Dead Metal was prised off the arena floor by Wild Thing's wedge shape, forcing Shunt to axe and lift Wild Thing in an attempt to separate both machines. Further shoves from Chaos 2 allowed Dead Metal to turn and back away. During the closing moments, Dead Metal unsuccessfully tried to attack both competitors as Wild Thing pushed Chaos 2 into his CPZ. Chaos 2 lifted Dead Metal twice more by his left pincer, though its late attacks would be nullified by Dead Metal's adjustable height system.
Razer carries S3 into Dead Metal's saw
Dead Metal pushes Razer and S3 into Shunt
Dead Metal made a third Semi-Final 1 appearance in Razer vs S3, initially slicing into the back of the latter as Razer carried it into him. A few large scuffs were left in S3's aluminum monocoque, with Razer later ramming S3 underneath Dead Metal to trap it within his CPZ. Dead Metal drove around the side of, then rammed S3 while Razer and Shunt propped it up against the side wall. In doing so, he cut into the side of S3's flywheel, showering both competitors in sparks for a few seconds before backing away. Dead Metal proceeded to shove both competitors into the same CPZ once Razer pushed S3 into his clutches again. Trapping S3 against the wall, he held the 1 Law Associates' machine on his pincers. Later on, Dead Metal lunged towards Razer; a follow-up attack saw him grasp the fourth seed while pushing it and S3 into Shunt's corner. A final attack on S3's disc followed, before Dead Metal left Shunt and Razer to deal further damage to the former.
Dead Metal punishes the beaten Wheely Big Cheese
A smaller, but no less significant presence awaited Dead Metal in Semi-Final 2, where he was initially present for the Round 1 match between Dominator 2 and Wheely Big Cheese. After Roger Plant's machine lost mobility, Dominator 2 pushed it under Dead Metal's pincers during its count-out. Dead Metal, similarly to previous series, cut into and sent sparks flying from one of Wheely Big Cheese's wheels.
- "Wheely Big Cheese... has... gone... out! Grated, shredded... and in comes the circular saw, there, of Dead Metal! Heat generated, sparks flew - you are Welsh rarebit!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal slices Wheely Big Cheese once again
Dead Metal separates Panic Attack and Firestorm 3 towards the end of their Losers Melee
During the Losers Melee from the same episode (Panic Attack vs Firestorm 3 vs Wheely Big Cheese), Firestorm 3 pressed Panic Attack between Dead Metal and the lower-right wall. In response, Dead Metal rammed the fifth seed against the right-hand wall, seconds before it flicked Panic Attack towards an angle grinder. As the Melee drew to a close, he spun wildly into both competitors while Panic Attack tipped Firestorm 3 upwards, separating them with a backwards shove. This proved to be Dead Metal's last appearance in The Fifth Wars, as, excluding recap highlights, he would not feature in any battles from the Grand Final.
Series 6[]
Dead Metal, Tetanus 2 and Ruf Ruf Dougal gang up on Weld-Dor 3
Tetanus 2 pushes Ruf Ruf Dougal into Dead Metal, just as time runs out
A repainted and internally-revised Dead Metal was once again introduced at the start of The Sixth Wars, but otherwise only appeared in one battle each from the first two Heats. In Heat A, this occurred in the Round 1 melee between Cyrax, Ruf Ruf Dougal, Tetanus 2 and Weld-Dor 3. At a late stage, Dead Metal grabbed and sliced into the flipper of Weld-Dor 3, the Northern Irish machine having been pushed into him during a series of controlling attacks by Tetanus 2. Just as 'Cease' was called, Tetanus 2 pushed a charred Ruf Ruf Dougal into Dead Metal's pincers. Dead Metal pushed both of the surviving competitors back, but did not appear to cut deep into the remains of Ruf Ruf Dougal's fur coat.
X-Terminator throws Robochicken into Dead Metal
Likewise, Heat B saw Dead Metal appear in the Round 1 clash between Spirit of Scorpion, Robochicken, Barbaric Response and X-Terminator. Initially, he left his CPZ to grab X-Terminator with his pincers, after the Hereford machine axed Robochicken. As Barbaric Response lifted and pushed Spirit of Scorpion into the lower-right CPZ, Dead Metal closed in to slice, pin and drag the new Team Scorpion machine. Ignoring a ram from Robochicken, he freed Spirit of Scorpion by pushing it into Sir Killalot, then slamming backwards into the wall. Later on, X-Terminator flipped Robochicken into Dead Metal, prompting him to push both competitors back. Robochicken, unable to self-right, was eliminated as a result of X-Terminator's attack.
Dead Metal drives himself into the Pit with Sir Chromalot
Dead Metal and Sir Chromalot in the Pit
An absence from Heat C was followed by another single-battle appearance in Heat D, during Sir Chromalot and S3's duel in Round 2. A tentative early phase prompted Dead Metal and Sir Killalot to leave their CPZs, as the Hub Nuts machine opened and attempted to lure S3 into the pit. Dead Metal eventually settled in the lower-left CPZ, but was relatively undisturbed as Sir Chromalot drove towards, spun and lightly nudged his right pincer. After Sir Chromalot was immobilised and tossed by the Floor Flipper, he collected it from the lower-right CPZ with the intention of pitting it. Dead Metal briefly paused; a fast drive caused him and Sir Chromalot to fall in simultaneously.
- "Okay, Dead Metal! Err, slice and dice! Please come back, Sir Chromalot boys. We love to laugh with you. Never at you, of course, on Robot Wars. Would we be that cruel? Steve Merrill, Ray Tait, Sir Chromalot, Dead Metal... and Uncle Tom Cobley and all... down the Pit! They went, and they went with a flourish! Typical!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal disposes of Sir Chromalot again
Dead Metal slices Aggrobot 3's wheel as Refbot starts the latter's count-out
In Heat E, Dead Metal partnered Matilda in both Round 2 matches - Vader vs Aggrobot 3, and 259 vs Wild Thing. He initially pounced on and attempted to cut Aggrobot 3, which had become immobilised by Vader's first blow. When the Dorking machine's wedge shape proved too low for the saw to reach, Dead Metal persevered. After slicing Aggrobot 3's top-right wheel during its count-out, he sent it into the Pit with Matilda's assistance. Partway through 259 vs Wild Thing, Dead Metal was briefly suggested in televised footage to have pressured Adam Clark's vertical spinner opposite the Flame Pit.
Dead Metal is flicked up by a recently-eliminated Thermidor 2
Dead Metal and Sir Killalot (left) take Chompalot to the arena hazards
Appearances in Heat F totalled four battles, including partnerships with Sir Killalot in both Round 1 melees and the Heat Final. The first of the melees (Chompalot vs Thermidor 2 vs Stinger vs 13 Black) saw Dead Metal join his fellow House Robot in attacking Thermidor 2, following its partial immobilisation and count-out. Thermidor 2 twice flicked Dead Metal upwards in response, but struggled to free itself from under his pincers. Dead Metal sparred with Thermidor 2 further until the latter, regaining mobility in its right wheel, dived into the opened pit. He proceeded to pressure a still-active 13 Black, moments before Chompalot was fully counted out. Dead Metal turned his attention to the Cook family machine, initially helping Sir Killalot place it on the Floor Flipper, then slicing and pitting it.
Dead Metal (top-left) attacks the eliminated Kan-Opener and Demolition Man
In the second Round 1 battle, Dead Metal initially attempted to cut Double Trouble and Fluffy outside his CPZ. These moments occurred while both attacked Kan-Opener and Demolition Man, themselves stuck together and immobilised along the right wall. Dead Metal proceeded to drive behind Kan-Opener, but could not find enough reach to cut it before Sir Killalot crumpled and dragged it back. Once Kan-Opener was counted out, Dead Metal investigated Demolition Man. With Double Trouble reentering the fray, he briefly trapped the Potters Bar newcomer against Demolition Man, itself also being eliminated shortly after.
Following a background appearance in the second Round 2 duel (13 Black vs Double Trouble), Dead Metal unsuccessfully attempted to capture 13 Black as it drove into his CPZ during the Heat F Final. He would, however, play no major part in the latter battle, won by 13 Black on a Judges' decision over Stinger.
Dead Metal waits to inflict chassis damage to Inshredable
Heat G saw Dead Metal join Matilda once again in both of the episode's Round 1 melees. In the first (Tornado vs Terror-Bull vs Inshredable vs Edge Hog), he was slow to attack Inshredable as it veered into him while dicing with Tornado. Dead Metal drove under and grazed the Middlesex newcomer several moments later, while it was being lifted in the top-left CPZ by Terror-Bull. He backed out just before Matilda reversed into Inshredable, inflicting further damage and allowing Dead Metal to pin the latter against the wall.
- "Inshredable... I think your hopes are in tatters, because Dead Metal is in there, with that venomous blade. And it looked to me as if... Inshredable... were having... problems there, in control."
- — Jonathan Pearce, gauging Insherdable's chances of progression following attacks by Matilda and Dead Metal
Dead Metal held and cut into Inshredable's exposed chassis, but retreated once Refbot forced the two robots apart. Inshredable ultimately survived its ordeal and qualified alongside Tornado, though the overall damage was significant enough for it to not be properly repaired in time for its second-round battle.
Dead Metal slices into Revolution 2
In the second melee (Thor vs Revolution 2 vs Judge Shred 2½ vs Anarchy), Dead Metal initially attempted to push Revolution 2 and Judge Shred 2½ apart after they became stuck to each other. When this attempted separation failed, he turned and repeatedly cut into the East Kilbride machine's spinning blades. Showers of sparks flew as Dead Metal kept attacking Revolution 2 in this fashion, trapping it in the lower-right CPZ for some time. Judge Shred 2½, meanwhile, was pushed clear and flipped over by Anarchy, which won the subsequent Judges' decision alongside Thor.
Dead Metal (left) attacks Anarchy in the Heat G Final
Dead Metal's presence in the Heat G Final (Tornado vs Anarchy) was otherwise muted. Though momentarily leaving his CPZs on a few occasions, he would not get involved until Tornado shoved Team 101's walkerbot into the wall near the lower-right CPZ. After Tornado warded him off with its newly-introduced spear weapon, Dead Metal grasped and attacked Anarchy from the left-hand side. However, his saw stopped upon trying to cut through its aircraft-grade alloy top plate.
A further single-battle appearance in Heat H took place in the Round 2 match between Spawn Again and Spam. Here, Dead Metal was rammed and nudged by both competitors, but otherwise had no involvement in the proceedings.
Dead Metal would be absent for most of the remaining Heats, the only exception being a solitary appearance in Round 2 of Heat K. Alongside Matilda, he was used in Hypno-Disc vs Bulldog Breed, pinning, cutting and ramming the struggling Cannock machine against the left wall and angle grinder. Bulldog Breed responded by lifting Dead Metal multiple times, but was soon fully immobilised and counted out as a result of Hypno-Disc's earlier attacks. A final lift resulted in a stalemate; Dead Metal was held aloft by Bulldog Breed's flipper even as 'Cease' was called.
Dead Metal traps the Losers Melee contenders in Semi-Final 1
Dead Metal cuts into 13 Black
In Semi-Final 1, Dead Metal first made a sustained presence throughout the Losers Melee (Dantomkia vs Wild Thing vs 13 Black). During the opening moments, he briefly shuttled between the right-most CPZs, pressuring Dantomkia and a recently-rebuilt Wild Thing in the process. Upon returning to his starting position in the lower-right corner, Dead Metal drove into and briefly blocked Dantomkia, which had flipped both of its opponents against the surrounding walls. In the process, his saw also clipped one of 13 Black's discs. Dead Metal proceeded to grasp and repeatedly cut through the base frame of John Denny's inverted machine on two separate occasions, and later helped Sir Killalot free Dantomkia from an angle grinder. He also appeared in the Round 2 battle between Firestorm 4 and S3, but remained in the background while the third seed tipped S3 out of the arena.
Dead Metal attacks an already-bludgeoned Spawn Again
The second Semi-Final saw Dead Metal paired up with Mr. Psycho for two Round 1 clashes - Hypno-Disc vs Tornado and Spawn Again vs Terrorhurtz. In Hypno-Disc vs Tornado, he briefly rammed both competitors while the three-time Grand Finalist tried to escape from Tornado's relentless attacks. Tornado eventually delivered Hypno-Disc into a patrolling Dead Metal, though Dead Metal himself largely stayed out of the action at that point. Dead Metal also rushed out to clamp and cut Spawn Again following its pummelling by Terrorhurtz. With the tenth seed finding itself within his CPZ in the lower-left corner, he proceeded to push it under an angle grinder. From that position, Spawn Again was counted out, then paraded across the arena by Mr. Psycho. Once Spawn Again was placed diagonally over the Pit edge, Dead Metal shoved it in with his closed pincers.
Dead Metal wards off Terrorhurtz's axe while helping to dispose of the fourth-place finisher
In the Grand Final episode, Dead Metal would join Shunt in the last two UK Championship battles of the series. Firstly, he attacked an immobile Terrorhurtz in the Play-off, weathering one of its axe blows before slicing into its side. After Terrorhurtz was thrown over by the Floor Flipper, Dead Metal helped Shunt pit the fallen Team Hurtz entry, resigning it to fourth place overall.
Dead Metal cuts into Razer's wing during the Series 6 Final
A smaller, but more significant role followed in the Series 6 title decider - Razer vs Tornado. Equipped with its 'Anti-Crusher Weapon', Tornado shoved the Fifth Wars and double World Champion into Dead Metal's clutches, moments after ramming it free from an angle grinder. Dead Metal initially did not respond as Razer escaped from his corner, but cut into its left wing as Tornado later pushed it back into the same place. Tornado's shoves contributed to a highly aggressive and controlling performance from the twelfth seed, earning it the Sixth Wars championship under tense and controversial circumstances.
Alongside the main series, Dead Metal made three appearances in the UK vs Germany Special, also aired in German Robot Wars as Germany vs England.
The immobile Dynamite is carved by Dead Metal
In the first-round bouts, he initially shoved and cut into Dynamite after it got pushed to the fringe of his CPZ by Delldog. The attack was enough to damage the loanerbot's removable link, immobilising it opposite the Floor Flipper. Dead Metal later cut into Dynamite's lifter after the Flipper threw the latter across the arena; Dynamite would be dismantled further and carried out of the arena altogether by Sir Killalot.
Dead Metal grapples with Ansgar's Revenge
Similarly, in Das Gepäck vs Ansgar's Revenge, he cut into and grabbed the latter's weapon frame as Das Gepäck shoved Ansgar's Revenge into him early on. Ansgar's Revenge was caught and surrounded as it struggled to escape, though Dead Metal's embrace would cause him to be lifted by Ansgar's Revenge before Sir Killalot dragged it away. Dead Metal would momentarily approach Ansgar's Revenge again at a later point, by which time Ansgar's Revenge had continuously been attacked by both Sir Killalot and Das Gepäck.
Dead Metal's third UK vs Germany appearance was in the Semi-Final between 259 and Fluffy. Following a spectacular knockout loss for 259, he cut into the back of Adam Clark's overturned vertical spinner, before dragging and ultimately pushing it into the Pit release button. As the hazard activated, Dead Metal swiftly dispatched 259 by shoving it into the descending Pit.
Extreme 2[]
Dead Metal's first appearances in Extreme Series 2 were in each of the All-Stars Heats. In Heat A, he was only featured in the Round 1 melee involving Firestorm 4, Bigger Brother and S3, where S3's quick elimination precluded any House Robot attacks. More appearances would follow in Heat B, where Dead Metal initially featured alongside Matilda in the Round 2 battle between 13 Black and Dominator 2. This was followed by a significant moment in the Grand Final broadcast at the end of the same episode.
Dead Metal attacks Razer, itself on top of Firestorm 4
After Firestorm 4 pushed Razer into him, Dead Metal grasped and brought his circular saw down onto the tail of the latter's crusher. Sparks flew as both he and Firestorm 4 pinned Razer against the side wall, with Dead Metal controlling and attacking the defending All-Stars champion for some time. An additional slice into Razer's armour was made before the latter escaped. Moments later, Dead Metal backed over Firestorm 4's wedge shape, inadvertently freeing it from the nearby angle grinder. Firestorm 4 proceeded to push and flick Razer against the back of him, though Dead Metal would retaliate by slicing into its wedge tip, then pushing and dragging both competitors, while Razer lifted Firestorm 4 in its beak. From that point, Dead Metal played no further part in Razer's subsequent championship victory.
Dead Metal pressures Major Tom during the Annihilator
Dead Metal clings on to Thermidor 2
Revenge of Trouble & Strife hoists Dead Metal
Dead Metal's next appearances were in the second and third rounds of the Annihilator, partnered with Sir Killalot and Matilda respectively. In the former, he repositioned himself over the boundary of the bottom-right CPZ within the opening seconds, before leaving the CPZ entirely to attack Major Tom without provocation. Major Tom would be pinned between Sir Killalot and the wall on the opposite side, though Refbot would not seem to issue any cards against either House Robot. Dead Metal returned to his starting position before Revenge of Trouble & Strife and Thermidor 2 strayed into his territory. This led to him capturing the Series 4 Semi-Finalist as it entered his CPZ, though Revenge of Trouble & Strife freed Thermidor 2 by lifting and slowly carrying Dead Metal in circles with its flipping arm.
Dead Metal and Mr. Psycho attack the defeated Killer Carrot 2
The Minor Meltdown saw Dead Metal on House Robot duties in the second Round 1 melee (Tetanus 2 vs Killer Carrot 2 vs Rick), along with both Round 2 battles. Though relegated to background appearances in the melee, he would briefly shove Killer Carrot 2 away from the Flame Pit after one of its wheels detached against Lambsy. While the Team Dangerous Vegetables entry unsuccessfully tried to topple Refbot, Dead Metal grasped and repeatedly cut into its back panel once it was counted out. Dead Metal ultimately finished Killer Carrot 2 off by steering it into the Pit, but not without his blade clipping Mr. Psycho's claw.
Dead Metal's detached blade rolls its way out of the arena
At the start of Bigger Brother vs Rick, Dead Metal and Sir Killalot left their CPZs early to attack both competitors. Dead Metal soon returned to his position in the top-left CPZ. While a close tactical battle developed between Bigger Brother and Rick, his saw mysteriously detached from its mount, rolling across and exiting the arena through a gap between the floor and the right side wall.
- "This is a good battle! Best of the Minor Meltdown so far! Ooh, WHAT'S THAT COMING ACROSS THE ARENA?! LOOK AT THAT! It's Dead Metal's blade! Where on earth did THAT come from? Where's it gone to? It suddenly... came launching across the arena floor! Dead Metal was in a CPZ! The unpredictability of Robot Wars competition!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal's saw breaks loose in Bigger Brother vs Rick
Dead Metal, unfazed by this setback, later grappled with Rick after it had been flipped and steered towards his CPZ by Bigger Brother. Rick became fully immobilised under this pressure; Dead Metal wedged himself on top of the Hampshire machine upon backing into it at high speed. A flick from Bigger Brother allowed him to escape, and to ram Rick again with his pincers. Following another brief tussle with Bigger Brother, Dead Metal crossed the active Floor Spinner to pit the eliminated Rick.
Dead Metal clips Sumpthing's weapon during a mid-battle chase
Smoke pours from Dead Metal's saw as he targets X-Terminator
Another three appearances in the Tag Team Terror marked a very active spell for Dead Metal in this episode. In the first Round 1 battle (S.M.I.D.S.Y. & Sumpthing vs X-Terminator & Mini Morg), he briefly trapped, then chased Sumpthing across the arena perimeter, after the Team Tetanus machine had tagged S.M.I.D.S.Y. Dead Metal kept chasing Sumpthing as it attempted to rejoin its teammate in battle, momentarily getting himself hooked on the lower side wall in the process. The two robots were soon joined in the lower-left CPZ by S.M.I.D.S.Y., itself having been pushed there, blocked and axed by Shunt. With X-Terminator also arriving on the scene, Dead Metal temporarily diverted his attention towards the former UK Semi-Finalist. There, he grazed its front-left corner, coming close to slicing into its already-bent axe mechanism. X-Terminator and Mini Morg won regardless, once Sumpthing had been immobilised and counted out.
Sparks are sent flying as Dead Metal attacks X-Terminator again
Dead Metal grasps Barbaric Response
A background role in the third Round 1 clash (Lightning & The Steel Avenger vs Stinger & Nasty Humphrey) was followed by another substantial contribution in the first Tag Team Terror Semi-Final (Hydra & Barbaric Response vs X-Terminator & Mini Morg). Stationed in the lower-left CPZ, Dead Metal attacked X-Terminator again immediately after it was tipped and sent skidding into his clutches by Hydra. A few nudges brought X-Terminator back onto its wheels, but not without his saw generating bright sparks from the Hereford contender's front scoop. When X-Terminator later forced Barbaric Response to drive into the same CPZ, Dead Metal briefly cut into the side of the Horsham machine's flipper.
Dead Metal watches on, as Growler pits an immobile Mini Morg
Later on, Hydra rolled Mini Morg into Dead Metal's reach, though Dead Metal himself would not get the chance to attack either competitor. Mini Morg would ultimately become immobilised following further attacks by both Hydra and Growler. Dead Metal thus cut the right-hand side of its shell, before shadowing Growler as he pitted the Welsh machine in the closing seconds.
Dead Metal appeared in the majority of New Blood Championship episodes, including the first three Heats and the Grand Final.
Dead Metal grabs the struggling Mr Nasty
In Heat A, he partnered Sir Killalot for the first New Blood battle to be televised - the Round 1 melee involving Terror Turtle, Mute and Roobarb. Shortly after Mute threw Roobarb towards his CPZ, Dead Metal briefly diced with the returning Series 6 competitor as it self-righted. Dead Metal was also present for the Round 2 battle between Mute and Mr Nasty, a battle marked by Sgt. Bash's impromptu duel with Refbot. With Mr Nasty temporarily losing mobility on one side, he caught and briefly grappled with the silver Aylesbury machine. Attempts to trap Mr Nasty against the side wall proved unsuccessful, though Dead Metal grabbed it again once Mute pushed it into his pincers. After carrying and roasting Mr Nasty over the Flame Pit, he attempted to pit it after 'Cease', but released his grip and allowed Mr Nasty to escape.
Dead Metal is axed by Edge Hog
Dead Metal and Sgt. Bash seek revenge against Edge Hog
Round 2 of Heat B marked Dead Metal's only appearance in this episode, in the clash between Edge Hog and Hell's Teeth. Teaming up with Sgt. Bash once more, he began shoving Hell's Teeth after it was left immobilised and counted out against an angle grinder. The victorious Edge Hog proceeded to hook Dead Metal with its axe, digging into the space between his exoskeleton and his saw mechanism. Dead Metal briefly refocused on pushing Hell's Teeth around, only to then trap and slice Edge Hog over the Flame Pit, in retaliation for the Macclesfield competitor's attacks on both House Robots. During this exchange, Edge Hog again struck down and briefly caught its axe inside Dead Metal's weapon assembly, locking both robots together. Dead Metal kept spinning over the Flame Pit from this point on, having seemingly been left immobile on the right-hand side.
Dead Metal cuts into Revolution 2 once again
Similarly, in Heat C, Dead Metal partnered Sgt. Bash in the Round 2 battle between ICU and Revolution 2. A brief encounter with Revolution 2 was followed by more sustained attacks by both House Robots, once the former was left in the lower-right CPZ. Dead Metal began slicing into Revolution 2’s polycarbonate armour, then its chassis, while pinning it against the side walls. The immobile Revolution 2 was counted out during this time; Dead Metal later assisted ICU and Sgt. Bash in placing it on the Floor Flipper.
In trying to push Mute into Dead Metal's CPZ, Storm 2 inadvertently drifts into his clutches
In the overall New Blood Final (Mute vs Storm 2), Dead Metal was briefly nudged by Storm 2 during the early stages of a very tactical fight. Storm 2 later slid into his pincers while trying to push Mute back towards his CPZ. Dead Metal gave chase, but was outdriven by the Ipswich machine and ended up crashing into the upper wall. A third similar encounter allowed Dead Metal to force Storm 2 backwards onto Mute’s flipper. Mute flicked Storm 2 sideways across the arena as a consequence, the first of two powerful flipper attacks from the Emmett family’s machine. During the closing seconds, an inverted Storm 2 sped into Dead Metal’s CPZ once again, but escaped before Dead Metal could have a chance to grab it.
Dead Metal's presence in the Robot Rampage episode involved appearances in all three Middleweight Championship battles, plus the Final of the Featherweight Championship.
Dead Metal frees Typhoon from the Flame Pit
In the first Middleweight melee, Dead Metal initially lunged at Steel Sandwich as it ventured over a CO2 vent. He next drove Malc 1.5 into the upper-left CPZ, with Shunt also axing and turning the Hemel Hempstead machine over. Dead Metal attacked neither competitor, however, once a partially-dewheeled Malc 1.5 pushed Steel Sandwich towards him on the other side of the arena. With Malc 1.5 spinning around on its remaining wheel, he proceeded to pin and drag it away from a nearby angle grinder. Dead Metal also pushed defending class champion Typhoon off the Flame Pit, the Scottish machine driving away with flames licking from beneath its full-body spinner.
Dead Metal briefly catches Shunt by the scoop
While Malc 1.5 was being counted out, Dead Metal and Shunt ganged up on Broadsword, briefly trapping it in the top-left CPZ. Both House Robots briefly locked together; Dead Metal dragging Shunt back after the latter brought his scoop down on his right pincer. An extra flick from Shunt's scoop was enough to separate the pair. At the very end of the battle, Dead Metal investigated, cut and pulled apart the dismantled remains of Broadsword, itself having taken further punishment from Shunt's weaponry.
Dead Metal chases Mammoth across the arena
Dead Metal pits the middleweight 259
During the second Middleweight melee, Dead Metal joined Shunt in inflicting damage to the overturned and eliminated Mammoth. Together, they pushed Mammoth and the also-eliminated Doom Too onto the Floor Flipper, which re-righted Ian and Stuart Burrell's walkerbot. Dead Metal immediately seized, cut and buffeted Mammoth across the arena into the lower-left CPZ. With Mammoth struggling to scuttle away, he ultimately dumped it into the opened Pit, also occupied by Doom Too and Typhoon Lightning. Dead Metal also sent 259 to the Floor Flipper and the Pit during the Middleweight Final; Adam Clark's machine having been eliminated by Typhoon. His impact on the Featherweight Final, however, was minimal, despite being seen within distance of Cutlet and Gladiator following their immobilisations by eventual champion Argh!
Three further appearances followed in the Challenge Belt episode. Dead Metal initially took part in both Round 2 battles (Dantomkia vs Iron-Awe 2 and S.M.I.D.S.Y. vs Terrorhurtz), teaming up with Growler and Sir Killalot respectively. The second of these fights saw both House Robots dispatch the bludgeoned and immobile S.M.I.D.S.Y. to the Floor Flipper, with Sir Killalot going on to pit the Team Ixion challenger on his own. Dead Metal and Sir Killalot were also present for the climatic duel between Terrorhurtz and belt defender Tornado, but were otherwise not involved in the latter's 20-second victory.
After not being present for the Iron Maidens episode, Dead Metal's next appearance occurred in the University Challenge. Here, he was only seen in the first Round 1 battle (Infernal Contraption vs Behemoth vs CV), again alongside Sir Killalot. Both House Robots surrounded Behemoth following its abrupt immobilisation - caused by a damaged removable link - with Sir Killalot proceeding to carry the Team Make Robotics machine to the Floor Flipper and Flame Pit.
Dead Metal is lifted by Firestorm 4 following its Commonwealth Carnage title win
Another one-off appearance followed in the Commonwealth Carnage Final, where Dead Metal initially left the top-right CPZ to grab Crushtacean at an early stage. In a virtual repeat of their Series 5 encounter, Dead Metal grazed one of the South African representative's tyres. Crushtacean struggled to escape controllably, ultimately wedging itself under Dead Metal's pincers. Firestorm 4 capitalised by lifting Crushtacean against Dead Metal, while pushing both machines towards the right side wall. Dead Metal kept his distance as Firestorm 4 turned Crushtacean onto its side, only to be scooped up and pushed around in circles by the Durham veteran after 'Cease' was called.
- "Dead Metal is, err, um... running away! Firestorm 4's on the attack, and the House Robots are running scared!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal tries to dodge the victorious Firestorm 4
Trying to pin Firestorm 4 against an angle grinder, Dead Metal lured it across the arena, but otherwise could not evade its aggressive drives. Dead Metal ultimately found himself being pinned against another angle grinder, and lifted upwards by Firestorm 4, while Sgt. Bash crumpled the back of the newly-crowned Commonwealth Carnage champion. The match ended with all three machines stuck together; Dead Metal balancing precariously on his side as he remained hooked on the end of Firestorm 4's flipper. In his commentary, Jonathan Pearce inferred the House Robots' actions as possible retribution for Firestorm 4 toppling Mr. Psycho in its Round 2 bout.
Dead Metal slices the back of an immobile Snake Bite
In the European Championship - also broadcast in German Robot Wars - Dead Metal partnered Mr. Psycho for Zeus vs Black Hole and Snake Bite vs Tornado. While playing no part in the first of these Round 1 clashes, he would trap the Swiss Snake Bite once it had been pushed into the lower-right CPZ by the UK representative. Dead Metal carved through the upper-right side of Snake Bite, leaving sparks in his wake, and dealt a second similar attack as Tornado fed Snake Bite back into the same area. Later on, Dead Metal left his CPZ entirely to catch Snake Bite, seconds after it dodged Mr. Psycho's hammer. Snake Bite became immobilised by a CO2 jet shortly after, allowing both House Robots to damage it further before it was counted out and pitted by Tornado.
Series 7[]
Dead Metal's first appearances in The Seventh Wars occurred in Heat A, where he was present for both Round 2 battles in the main competition (M2 vs Pussycat and Tiberius 3 vs Roobarb). Partnered with Sgt. Bash and Sir Killalot respectively, he otherwise played very little part in either battle.
Dead Metal cuts into Jackson Wallop
One of Dead Metal's main highlights in the series occurred in Heat B, during the Round 2 clash between Big Nipper and Jackson Wallop. With Jackson Wallop having already become immobilised, he had the freedom to push the newcomer across the arena, slicing through the paintwork of and generating sparks from its spinning weapon. Dead Metal finished the battle by pitting Jackson Wallop altogether.
- "Look what they've done to my paintwork!"
- — Bernie Ryder, Team Battlebot
Dead Metal's next appearance was in the Final of Heat C. Neither he or Shunt, however, would play any significant part, as Dantomkia swiftly threw IG-88 out of the arena before either could be involved.
Dead Metal watches Shunt get thrown over by Gravity
Gravity flips Dead Metal
A follow-up appearance in the Heat D Final marked the first time in the show's history where Dead Metal got flipped over by a competitor. After Gravity defeated Lightning with relative ease, he witnessed the Dutch machine flipping Shunt over immediately after Lightning was counted out. Gravity proceeded to flick Dead Metal onto his side, then, after a few unsuccessful attempts, completely over. Dead Metal rested on his spikes as Refbot gave Gravity a red card, but not at the expense of its qualification for the series Semi-Finals.
After being completely absent from Heat E, Dead Metal next appeared in Heat F, during the Round 2 fight between X-Terminator and Killer Carrot 2. This was followed by two further appearances in Heat G, the first being the Round 1 melee between S.M.I.D.S.Y., Atomic, Cygnus X-1 and Terror Turtle. While visible in the top-left CPZ, he did not appear to be involved when Cygnus X-1 was eliminated after being left unable to self-right. Dead Metal was similarly passive in the Heat Final between Atomic and S.M.I.D.S.Y., where Atomic dominated and threw the latter out of the arena.
St. Agro flips Dead Metal
Dead Metal appeared in both Round 1 melees of Heat H, though again appeared to be passive in each, with Growler performing most of the House Robot attacks. The second saw him become the subject of another attempted flip by St. Agro, though this would prove unsuccessful. Another solitary appearance in Heat I occurred in the Round 1 melee between Shredder Evolution, Steel Avenger, Sub-Version 1.1 and Trax, again without any meaningful involvement from Dead Metal.
Dead Metal briefly holds the surviving Mighty Mouse on its side
In Heat J, Dead Metal took advantage of Mighty Mouse's driving errors at the start of the first Round 1 melee. When Mighty Mouse found itself in the centre of his CPZ, he pushed and managed to grab it by the roll hoop, removing one of the Team Mouse machine's decorative ears in the process. While dragging it back, he succeeded in turning Mighty Mouse onto its left-hand side, though Mighty Mouse rolled back onto its wheels and kept moving. Alongside Sgt. Bash, Dead Metal was later seen pressuring the overturned 8645T 2 in the top-left corner, before the latter was counted out. After Mighty Mouse was turned over in the lower-right CPZ by Thermidor 2, Dead Metal briefly blocked its rollover motion. Minimal attempts to attack the eliminated 8645T 2 proved futile, resulting in him being scooped up, pushed and dragged forwards by John Lear's machine as the latter proceeded to crash into the left side wall. Once the Floor Flipper flung 8645T 2 into his clutches, Dead Metal pushed it forwards for a few seconds, but did not bring his saw into action.
Dead Metal's appearance in Heat K was confined to the Middleweight Championship melee, broadcast as that episode's 'Special Event'. Here, he was briefly seen moving out of his starting position in the lower-right CPZ, and spent the majority of the battle lingering in the centre and the inner perimeters of the main battle zone. Though a clear transgression of House Robot rules, Dead Metal did not attack any of the middleweight competitors, until he and Growler were briefly seen surrounding the defeated Phoenix.
Dead Metal attacks Tartarus (right), only for UFO (left) to push Behemoth into him
Dead Metal next appeared in both Round 1 battles of Heat L. The first of these saw him trap Corkscrew Two in his CPZ, moments before the Scottish spinner was thrown out of the arena by Judge Shred 3. Dead Metal next pushed the immobilised Demolition Man across the arena, then steered it into the opened Pit, though not without Judge Shred 3 interrupting his first attempt. The second melee involved Dead Metal attacking Tartarus after it was swiftly flipped over by Behemoth in the opening seconds. While this happened, UFO pushed Behemoth into his rear spike, and proceeded to drive completely under the tenth seed during the same attack.
Dead Metal targets the baseplate of NEATer Machine
Dead Metal made no appearances in Heat M, but returned for the Heat N Round 1 melee involving Spawn Again, Chip, NEATer Machine and Revenge of Trouble & Strife. With Chip being launched out of the arena by the returning sixth seed, and NEATer Machine becoming immobilised, his first main contribution was an attack on the back of the defeated Dutch veteran, slicing into its axe support. After an attempt to throw NEATer Machine with the Floor Flipper went awry, he proceeded to push NEATer Machine out of the hazard's reach, but not without getting his right pincer caught by the closing Flipper panel.
- "NEATer Machine... didn't really get off the ground! Oof! Oof... now that's ruined everything! Can't get the Floor Flipper to flip it again now! Go on, nudge it out! What's happened - aw, now Dead Metal's got caught underneath! You're ruining my fun here! [Floor Flipper releases Dead Metal] That's better... although is it? What's happened to the Floor Flipper? Doesn't look right to me!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, as Dead Metal tries to push NEATer Machine clear following an unsuccessful throw by the Floor Flipper
Once released, Dead Metal left small slices in NEATer Machine's baseplate, before Mr. Psycho hammered and pushed the latter into the Pit. This would mark Dead Metal's last appearance in a Classic-era UK Heat, as he would be absent from both Heats O and P.
Dead Metal's presence in the Series Semi-Finals and Grand Final was also minimal, only appearing in two battles across those three episodes. The first of these was at the start of Semi-Final 1, in the Round 1 clash between defending UK champion Tornado and Raging Knightmare. Here, Dead Metal quickly came to Shunt's aid after the latter got flipped onto his side by Raging Knightmare, only to accidentally grind his saw against the fellow House Robot's snowplough. A drive into the lower-right CPZ occurred too late for him to attack both competitors, however, as Tornado proceeded to open and push the inverted Raging Knightmare into the Pit.
In the Grand Final, Dead Metal was used alongside Sgt. Bash for the second Eliminator, between Typhoon 2 and X-Terminator. After X-Terminator sustained heavy damage and was immobilised by the Edinburgh Air Cadets machine, he simply pushed it backwards into the Pit once Refbot finished counting it out.
Dead Metal traps Ripper in a CPZ during the first Annihilator round
Dead Metal appeared in the first and third rounds of the Annihilator special. In the first, partnered with Matilda, he was almost flicked over his left-hand side upon sparring with the dominant Ripper. In retaliation, he drove behind and pinned Ripper sideways against Raging Knightmare and the left entry gate, while John Findlay's machine attempted to throw Kan-Opener over the damaged side wall. With Ripper unable to escape, Dead Metal carved into its left side, sending bright white sparks flying with his first slice.
- "Ooh, dear, oh dear, oh dear! That's a million times worse than... the dentist drill of your worst-ever nightmares!"
- — Jonathan Pearce, seconds after Dead Metal cuts into Ripper's side armour
While both Ripper and Kan-Opener escaped, Raging Knightmare was left upside-down and initially seemed unable to move. Dead Metal capitalised by trapping and bringing his saw into play, before leaving the CPZ and allowing Raging Knightmare to self-right. The later stages of the fight saw him refocus attention on Flippa, EWE2 and Robochicken - the latter two having already been flipped over by Ripper. Dead Metal did not appear to attack Robochicken, however, after it became the first competitor to be eliminated.
In the third round, partnered with Sgt. Bash, Dead Metal pounced on and dragged the inverted Raging Knightmare back, once the latter was thrown towards his CPZ by Ripper. An attempt to cut into Raging Knightmare failed, however, once Kan-Opener grabbed and pulled the latter out of his pincers. Raging Knightmare would ultimately be pitted by the defending Annihilator champion.
Dead Metal is lifted by Dantomkia, following the latter's All-Star Semi-Final victory
Another one-off appearance by Dead Metal would occur in the All-Stars Semi-Final between Dantomkia and Panic Attack. Though not contributing to Panic Attack's demise - with Dantomkia throwing the Series 2 champion out of the arena - he would be scooped up and almost completely turned over by the victorious Chertsey machine moments later.
- "Dantomkia... is after the House Robots, who've taken a bit of a bashing tonight! Dead Metal, under pressure! Growler is... [laughs] just about missing everything! Bless him! Runs away?! Growler, you're supposed to be... the fiercest thing... in the Robot Wars world!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dantomkia repeatedly pushes and tries to flip Dead Metal over
Dead Metal tried to grasp and cut into Dantomkia's front, without success, and would be lifted upwards a second time against the left side wall. Spinning and clipping the wall panel, he was lifted twice more and continuously pushed around by Dantomkia despite Growler's attempts to intervene. Both House Robots would become immobilised together as a result, prompting Refbot to issue a yellow card to Dantomkia.
A nudge from Dead Metal causes Spartacus (centre-left, midground) to lose its shell
The Third World Championship saw Dead Metal make three further appearances in the first-round melees. In the first (Spartacus vs Hard vs Supernova), he positioned himself to attack Hard as the immobile Belgian entry was being counted out. Dead Metal simultaneously pushed and cut into the back of Hard's flipping arm, leaving a small gash, before pushing it towards the boundary of Sgt. Bash's CPZ and the Drop Zone target. With Hard having old computer parts dropped onto it, Dead Metal next bumped into and grabbed the half-mobile Spartacus. The initial contact between his left pincer and Spartacus caused the American representative to lose its top shell, to Jonathan Pearce's amusement.
Dead Metal again cuts into Snake Bite
The second melee (PulverizeR vs Snake Bite vs Crushtacean) began with Snake Bite being hampered by traction issues, as a result of a large hydraulic leak close to its starting position. With the Swiss entry being counted out as a result, Dead Metal wasted no time in grabbing and repeatedly cutting into its rear armour, while pushing it forwards past the Flame Pit and towards the lower-right CPZ.
- "It's bye-bye Snake Bite... as Elvis and PulverizeR and Crushtacean take over. It's a "Swiss Miss" in the Robot Wars. As many holes as there are... in a lump of... Swiss cheese! Are there holes in Swiss cheese? Hah! Snake Bite, is beaten! And certainly... it'll feel the venom now... of Dead Metal!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal cuts into and controls Snake Bite across the arena
These movements, however, had the effect of allowing Snake Bite to regain enough grip to move forwards. Dead Metal hooked, turned and pushed it back towards its surviving opponents with his left pincer. While trying to put Snake Bite onto the Floor Flipper, he pushed it into Crushtacean's claws, and released his hold as he backed away. Several seconds passed, before Snake Bite regained full traction and started moving fully again.
Dead Metal was seen turning towards Snake Bite in readiness for another attack, but would not prevent the latter from attacking PulverizeR and Crushtacean for the remainder of the fight. Once Snake Bite clamped Crushtacean, he in turn pulled both competitors back while trying to prise Snake Bite off of the South African representative. Dead Metal cut into Snake Bite's back three more times before 'Cease' was called, at which Crushtacean was finally able to back away over the Flame Pit.
Tornado delivers Storm 2 into Dead Metal's grasp
The third of Dead Metal's Round 1 appearances occurred in Ansgar 3 vs Storm 2 vs Tornado. While the early part of this melee would be dominated by the two British machines eliminating the German shuffler, he would proceed to pressure Storm 2 in the top-left CPZ after the latter pushed Tornado into it. Both competitors escaped, though Dead Metal quickly seized Storm 2 in his pincers once Tornado scooped under and pushed it back into the corner.
- "Can Storm 2 last in there? Storm 2 in the CPZ that belongs to Dead Metal! Now... is that a decisive moment? Can Storm 2's armament hold up to the pressure... of Dead Metal's circular saw?"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal inflicts light damage to the top of Storm 2
Dead Metal kept Storm 2 suspended in his grip, grazing its top armour multiple times. Another ram by Tornado prompted him to let Storm 2 go, though he would not attack either competitor again for the remainder of the melee. This marked Dead Metal's final appearance in the original UK series, prior to Robot Wars' entry into hiatus.
Series 8[]
Dead Metal cuts into an engine during a pre-series demonstration, as shown in Meet the House Robots
Dead Metal takes on Merlin during the Series 8 pilot
Dead Metal was the third House Robot confirmed to appear in Series 8, but was the second to be featured in a teaser trailer for the revived series. In Meet the House Robots, the rebuilt version was seen grasping, spinning and cutting into an internal combustion engine during an arena demonstration. Dead Metal is confirmed to have appeared in the pre-series pilot, appearing in multiple battles. During Merlin's Head-to-Head against Ka-Pow!, he proceeded to battle the Team MAD machine after it had already won, capturing and cutting into it at one point.
Dead Metal cuts into Terrorhurtz's baseplate
In Heat A, Dead Metal appeared in Behemoth's Head-to-Head fights against Nuts and Terrorhurtz. He briefly pressured Nuts after the latter was thrown over the arena spikes into his CPZ by the series veteran, before cutting a large gash through Terrorhurtz's base panel. In doing so, the saw itself made a small nick in the CO2 extinguisher powering the latter's axe, rendering it unusable.
Dead Metal catches M.R. Speed Squared
Shockwave traps Foxic against Dead Metal's pincers
Dead Metal appeared in every match from Heat B except for the opening Group Battle. His first major contribution occurred during Thor vs M.R. Speed Squared, where he caught Team Forsey's rim spinner multiple times after it had been pressured by Jason Marson's axe bot. This, however, did not stop Thor from axing Dead Metal at one point. Later on, Dead Metal engaged in multiple tussles with Foxic, initially being outpushed by it during its bout against Shockwave. This was stopped when Shockwave lifted Foxic into his pincers, allowing Dead Metal to push both back and slice into the top of Team Danby's entry.
Sparks fly as Dead Metal cuts into Shockwave's side
Dead Metal slices into Foxic during its struggle against Thor
Further encounters with Shockwave ensued in the latter's initial duel against Thor. At one point, Shockwave was turned over against Dead Metal's saw after Thor pushed it back into his CPZ, before taking a slice to its right-rear corner. Both competitors would survive to a Judges' decision regardless. Dead Metal inflicted further damage to Foxic during its otherwise uneventful Head-to-Head against M.R. Speed Squared, generating yet more sparks as his saw cut into the orange competitor's scoop. After Foxic became immobilised against Thor, this onslaught was resumed, with Dead Metal grabbing and repeatedly cutting into Foxic's scoop as it was being eliminated. Dead Metal made further attacks on M.R. Speed Squared and Shockwave during the final Head-to-Head of the episode, while Shockwave was controlling the Team Forsey entry around and inside his CPZ.
In Heat C, Dead Metal appeared in six of the nine battles, beginning with the Head-to-Head between Dantomkia and King B Remix. During this, he was briefly attacked by the former after King B Remix had already been disposed of. In Big Nipper vs TR2, he attacked the Team Titanium machine after it had been thrown into him by the series newcomer. This left a large volley of sparks and significant damage to Big Nipper, almost severing its removable link. Dead Metal almost attacked Big Nipper again during its later clash against Dantomkia, though would not play as much of a part elsewhere in this episode.
Dead Metal is flipped by Apollo
Dead Metal's appearances in Heat D all took place in the Head-to-Head stage. Here, he was attacked by Apollo during its encounter against Storm 2 and successfully flipped over; the first House Robot to suffer this fate in the Revival Series.
- "Apollo drives into the CPZ - ah, ha, ha, HA! How dare you! Dead Metal venting its spleen and steam - and why not? Goodness me!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Dead Metal is flipped by Apollo
Matilda left her CPZ and attempted to ram Dead Metal in order to re-right him, but was unsuccessful. Apollo proceeded to flip Matilda over as well, incapacitating both House Robots. Dead Metal also appeared in Eruption vs PP3D - briefly threatening the Scottish undercutter towards the end - and Apollo vs Eruption, whereupon Apollo was thrown into him by the then-double FRA UK champions.
Dead Metal immobilises Crazy Coupe 88
Sparks fly as Dead Metal cuts into Beast
In Heat E, Dead Metal single-handedly immobilised Crazy Coupe 88, when it drove into the CPZ on its own accord during its Group Battle. Dead Metal slammed it into the arena wall and used his circular saw, eliminating the Barnsley competitor. In the Head-to-Head stage, he initially sustained major damage from Gabriel, which was trying to stop him from attacking a smoking Chompalot. Following Gabriel's subsequent fight against Beast, he left his CPZ and cut into the latter's flipper.
Apollo, in the process of throwing TR2 onto Dead Metal's saw
Dead Metal took part in four battles throughout the Grand Final, though his involvement in the opening Group Battle (Pulsar vs Thor vs TR2) was minimal. In the Head-to-Heads, Apollo tossed TR2 onto his circular saw before attempting to attack him once more. On this occasion, Dead Metal survived without being completely flipped over. TR2 also threw Thor into Dead Metal's clutches in its second Head-to-Head, though he played little part in Thor's subsequent defeat against Apollo.
Battle of the Stars[]
Dead Metal attempts to grasp Robo Savage
Dead Metal appeared in Episode 2 of Battle of the Stars, which was filmed alongside and aired prior to Series 9. In the Head-to-Head battle between Dee and Soldier Ant, he attempted to grab Dee as it became caught in between the arena spikes, although Dee managed to escape. Later on, he also helped steer Robo Savage onto the spikes and briefly caught its wedge during its battle against Dee, although Robo Savage eventually escaped without sustaining any significant damage.
Series 9[]
Dead Metal appeared in a teaser trailer for Series 9, uploaded on 10 February 2017.[19] The teaser showed him and the other House Robots destroying household appliances, with one version using Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" as the background track.
- "He's not grumpy, he's a bit spiky - it's Dead Metal!"
- — Jonathan Pearce introduces Dead Metal as he makes his first appearance of Series 9
Dead Metal appeared in two Head-to-Head battles in Heat A - Terrorhurtz vs Sabretooth and Terrorhurtz vs Jellyfish. He was unable to get involved in either battle; in the former, he was not chosen to attack when 'Rogue House Robot' was enabled for the first time.
Dead Metal grinds into the back of Behemoth
In Heat B, Dead Metal appeared in every Head-to-Head battle as well as the Heat Final. On two occasions, he attacked mobile competitors during 'Rogue House Robot'; the first enabled him to grasp and disrupt Cherub during its skirmish against PP3D. This indirectly enabled PP3D to hold back before launching a powerful hit on Cherub as soon as it broke away from his pincers. Dead Metal, ironically, pressured PP3D during its subsequent rematch against Eruption, before proceeding to attack Cherub and Behemoth on various occasions during the last Head-to-Head duel.
A Rogue Dead Metal attacks Concussion
In Heat C, Dead Metal was triggered to attack under 'Rogue House Robot' mode again during the Head-to-Head between Thor and Concussion. Here, he sliced into the top of the Dorset-based newcomer, and was used to separate it and Matilda when both became lodged together over the damaged pit panel. Later on, Dead Metal also brought his saw down onto M.R. Speed Squared on multiple occasions, while it faced off against Concussion, and narrowly avoided a wheel from Heavy Metal after it had been sent into his CPZ by Matilda's flywheel.
Dead Metal attacks Wyrm
Dead Metal had a quiet Heat D, only appearing in the Head-to-Head between Wyrm and Pulsar. Here, he played a key role as he attacked the immobilised Wyrm and placed it over the Flame Pit.
Dead Metal goes Rogue on Ms Nightshade
Dead Metal slices through Smash's weapon bulkhead
Heat E saw Dead Metal drag Ms Nightshade around the arena in the first Group Battle after 'Rogue House Robot' was activated. He also enjoyed multiple tussles with the clusterbot Crackers 'n' Smash during the Head-to-Head stage; in its bout against Coyote, he grasped and cut through Smash's weapon bulkhead once it was pushed into his pincers by the former. Smash would again be caught by Dead Metal when it, in turn, pushed Coyote into him. Later in the same battle, Dead Metal proceeded to pressure Smash yet again after it drove and got stuck on the Flame Pit during 'Rogue House Robot'. Crackers 'n' Smash would still go on to win regardless, as Coyote had become immobilised during this stage.
Apollo throws Crackers onto Dead Metal's saw
Dead Metal's last appearance of Heat E came in the final Head-to-Head between Crackers 'n' Smash and Apollo. There, he briefly grabbed Smash once more, before Apollo hurled Crackers directly onto his sawblade, creating a shower of sparks. Once Crackers landed upside-down, Dead Metal charged and cut into it a second time. When Smash was also flipped over by Apollo, he proceeded to resume his earlier clamping and cutting attacks on the purple drum-wielding half.
Dead Metal sustains damage from Aftershock
Despite only appearing in one battle in the Grand Final - the Head-to-Head between Aftershock and Eruption - Dead Metal still saw himself involved in the thick of the action. Following the restart, he grabbed hold of Team Shock's machine after it had been manoeuvred into his CPZ. In response, Aftershock gouged Dead Metal's right pincer as Eruption pushed it disc-first into him, before both competitors escaped. This scrape resulted in the pincers being replaced by a whole new set for the following series, such was the damage inflicted.[20]
Series 10[]
Dead Metal slices the back of Blenda during The Swarm's Redemption round
Dead Metal's presence in Series 10 began with five appearances in Heat A. This commenced with the Robot Redemption round between Sabretooth and Apocalypse, which also coincided with the introduction of the Fog of War hazard. Dead Metal posed more of a threat in the second Robot Redemption battle, whereupon Blenda - the horizontal spinner segment of The Swarm - initially ricocheted into her CPZ upon striking Donald Thump. She proceeded to catch, drag, and cut into the top of Blenda, all while holding the diminutive machine over the Flame Pit. Dead Metal attacked two more Swarm segments - Skye and Pinza - later on in the fight, though The Swarm would still emerge victorious anyway.
Dead Metal goes 'Rogue' on Sabretooth
Dead Metal sends sparks flying from Behemoth's scoop
In Sabretooth's subsequent Heat Semi-Final against Apollo, she attacked the former under 'Rogue House Robot', catching and sawing into Team Legion's machine from the side. More encounters with The Swarm followed in the 3rd Place Playoff, where Dead Metal caused damage to both Blenda and Rubber Duck. During the Heat Final, Dead Metal was again summoned under 'Rogue House Robot', trapping both Apollo and Behemoth in her CPZ while cutting into the latter's titanium scoop. Later on, she briefly dragged Apollo on its side while it attempted to self-right following another flip by Behemoth. Apollo threw Behemoth into Dead Metal's saw in response, enabling her to temporarily pin the Team Make Robotics machine against the side wall.
Dead Metal and Terrorhurtz pin Rapid in the Heat C Final
After being completely absent from Heat B, Dead Metal featured in four battles from Heat C, including both Robot Redemption rounds. In the second - featuring Vulture and Bucky the Robot - she attacked and sent sparks flying from both competitors in separate attacks. Dead Metal, after briefly threatening Vulture during its Heat Semi-Final, proceeded to cause trouble for both Rapid and Terrorhurtz in the Heat Final, cutting into the top of the latter with her saw. This, however, was not enough to stop Rapid from winning and securing itself an automatic place in the Grand Final.
Dead Metal slices into Iron-Awe 6
Heat D saw Dead Metal make appearances in a total of four battles, beginning with the Group Battle between Androne 4000, Concussion and Nuts 2. During the Robot Redemption battle between Androne 4000 and Tauron, she grasped and left a slice through Tauron's top armour after it had been pushed into her CPZ by the former. Dead Metal proceeded to push the Bedfordshire machine over the Flame Pit while cutting into it a second time, and would pressure both competitors as the match drew to a close. In the Heat Semi-Finals, she generated a volley of sparks while cutting into the defeated Iron-Awe 6, and briefly trapped Nuts 2 during its victory against Androne 4000.
Dead Metal is attacked by Thor and Coyote
Dead Metal had a very active role in the opening Group Battle of Heat E. After using her saw on all three competitors at some point, as well as being called into 'Rogue House Robot' mode on two occasions, Dead Metal later found herself being attacked by both Coyote and Thor late into the fight, as revenge for the House Robot's attack on the immobilised minibot Detention.
According to Grant Cooper, Thor's axe strikes damaged Dead Metal's onboard receiver, requiring a replacement part to be installed ahead of filming for Heat E's Robot Redemption matches. Despite functioning correctly during bench tests, the replacement receiver turned out to be defective, resulting in Dead Metal losing control upon being placed into the arena for Coyote vs Hobgoblin. Once activated, Dead Metal careered towards the centre of the arena at 'full speed', spun around and drove front-first into the Arena Tyre. Shunt was summoned to hold Dead Metal against the side wall, allowing her removable link to be extracted safely. Coyote vs Hobgoblin went ahead with Sir Killalot taking Dead Metal's place.[21][22][23]
Dead Metal, following additional repairs, saw little action in the other Heat E Robot Redemption bout - Expulsion vs Push to Exit - but again maintained a strong presence in each of that Heat's Semi-Finals. Firstly, she attacked Thor once again during its second match against Coyote, sawing into Jason Marston's machine after it ventured into the CPZ. Secondly, she grasped and dropped Expulsion into the Pit after Magnetar flipped and immobilised it with an explosive slam. Dead Metal made two further appearances in the 3rd Place Playoff and Heat Final - won by Explusion and Magnetar respectively.
Though not starting as an active House Robot during the 10 Robot Rumble, Dead Metal was brought into the arena partway though to assist Shunt and Sir Killalot. Following a 'Rogue House Robot' activation - in which Sir Killalot carried Terrorhurtz by its axe shaft - she drove into the arena through a lowered entry gate, but otherwise played a minimal part in the Rumble's final moments.
Dead Metal drops Magnetar into the Pit
Dead Metal maintained a strong presence in the main Grand Final, appearing in three of the seven championship fights. In the second Group Battle, she was deployed under 'Rogue House Robot', grappling with Rapid and Rumble winner Eruption. During the Robot Redemption stage, Dead Metal dumped Magnetar into the Pit following its defeat against Behemoth.
Dead Metal wraps her pincers around Behemoth
Dead Metal briefly pressured Eruption again later on in the same episode, after it was thrown into her CPZ by Behemoth during their Semi-Final. Michael Oates' machine would later respond by throwing Behemoth onto Dead Metal's sawblade, allowing her to trap Behemoth and send titanium sparks flying from its scoop once more. This prevented Behemoth from self-righting, until Dead Metal sent it rolling into the Arena Tyre with a shove. In turn, 'Rogue House Robot' was activated, with Dead Metal attacking Behemoth on a few more occasions after this encounter.
Dead Metal is overturned by Apollo for the second time
Dead Metal appeared in both of the concurrently-filmed World Series specials, being rostered for a total of four battles in Episode 1. These included the opening Tag Team clash, where she was humorously introduced under the French name "Dead Michel". In the fight itself, Dead Metal initially attempted to attack a wayward TMHWK, then Cobra, but got one of her pincers stuck under the Floor Flipper as it fired on the Belgian entry. This set up an attempted flip by Apollo, which prompted Dead Metal to cut into the side of the Team UK captain. In response, Dead Metal tussled with both Cobra and Apollo, also ramming Gabriel 2 in the process, only to get turned over by the Series 8 champion again.
In the Head-to-Heads, Dead Metal twice attacked Cobra during its encounter with Sabretooth, and briefly held Gabriel 2 in her grasp during a pincer attack also involving Rabid M8. The subsequent captains' clash between Apollo and Diotoir allowed Dead Metal to pursue the former during 'Rogue House Robot'. However, this was not enough to deter Apollo from trying to flip her and Sir Killalot at various moments, following its victory over the returning Irish machine.
Sparks fly as Big Nipper goes charging into Dead Metal
Dead Metal continues to tussle with the UK pair
Episode 2 began in a similar fashion for Dead Metal, as she initially cut into Dutch representative THE BASH and pinned Weber against the wall. Eruption attempted to flip Dead Metal while the Russian competitor sustained damage from her circular saw. Once both of the Rest of the World competitors were immobilised, Eruption and Big Nipper attempted to team up against Dead Metal, only for Dead Metal to inflict damage on the latter. Dead Metal's other appearance in this episode was in the Head-to-Head between Concussion and Weber, using her saw on Concussion's spinning drum, before attacking Weber in 'Rogue House Robot' mode. At the end of the fight, Dead Metal then pushed the tyre that Weber lost to Sir Killalot into the opened Pit. This battle marked Dead Metal's final appearance on Robot Wars.
US Season 1[]
- "And Dead Metal's exactly what you'll be if you get anywhere near those pneumatic pincers, or that 3,000 revs per minute circular saw!"
- — Stefan Frank introduces Dead Metal in Extreme Warriors Season 1 (multiple episodes)
Dead Metal's appearances extended into the international versions, beginning with Season 1 of the US series Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors. He made his season debut - along with the other core Series 4-5 House Robots - in the initial Robot Rebellion episode, though he would not appear in the climatic 'Rebellion' against the competitors.
Dead Metal would take part in three Round 1 battles, beginning with The Green House vs Tut Tut. Here, he attempted to free Tut Tut after it embedded its axe into the wooden arena floor, but was not initially successful. The Green House also got its lifting arm underneath one of Dead Metal's pincers, but overbalanced in an apparent attempt to lift him. Tut Tut eventually freed itself, with Dead Metal proceeding to trap both competitors in a CPZ later on in the same fight.
In Tricerabot vs The Green Mouse, Dead Metal immediately left his CPZ to attack the former in the lower-left corner. The ram removed part of Tricerabot's decorations, though with no effect on its performance and subsequent victory over the rodent-themed loanerbot. Dead Metal left his CPZ a second time once Tricerabot turned The Green Mouse over, then grabbed and dragged a smouldering Green Mouse off the Flame Pit after it was counted out. He, Tricerabot and Shunt took turns at attacking The Green Mouse further; a joint attack by both House Robots saw Dead Metal dragging it back by its left wheel, before The Green Mouse was finally dumped in the Pit by Tricerabot.
By contrast, Dead Metal played little part in the opening moments of Rosie the Riveter vs Rot Box, only getting involved upon moving into the top-left CPZ. At that point, Rosie the Riveter slammed Rot Box into the nearby wall. With Rot Box unable to escape in time, Dead Metal grabbed and began carving through the wooden shell of the TeamBoltz-operated loanerbot. Along with Sir Killalot, he left his CPZ after Rosie the Riveter drove up the front of Refbot, but did not attack either competitor. Both House Robots went on to dispatch Rot Box to the Floor Flipper immediately following its elimination. Dead Metal cut into the inverted Rot Box again once Sir Killalot positioned it over the Flame Pit.
Dead Metal made two appearances throughout the Annihilator, being present for the second and fourth rounds respectively. In the former, he shoved Unibite off the Flame Pit following its count-out, turning it around in circles into the angle grinder behind. Dead Metal rammed it again before letting Sgt. Bash drag it to the opened Pit.
Dead Metal (background) struggles to attack Rippa Raptor during the Season 1 Annihilator
The fourth round saw Dead Metal, stationed in the top-right CPZ, struggling to target Rippa Raptor as Red Virus and Drillzilla pushed it towards him. Similarly, he was unable to catch Drillzilla as it sped under his pincers, and ended up being lifted by the speedy shuffler as it pushed Red Virus under them later on. While the pincers remained closed, Dead Metal still wedged and rammed Red Virus against the angle grinder and wall, hooking its lifter in the process. As he backed across the CPZ lip, Red Virus followed. In tandem with a shove from Drillzilla, Dead Metal boxed Red Virus into the CPZ, cutting into its lifter frame before Refbot forced the pair to separate.
- "Meanwhile, it looks like feedin' time for Dead Metal! And Dead Metal lookin' hungry for a bit of Virus, heh-huh!"
- — Stefan Frank as Dead Metal traps Red Virus in his CPZ
Dead Metal pulled free from Red Virus' lifter as he backed away. Following a nudge from Rippa Raptor, he moved into the top-left CPZ, where he remained until after Red Virus was immobilised, counted out and turned over by the Floor Flipper. Dead Metal rammed Red Virus onto the Flame Pit, then gingerly steered it into the opened Pit of Oblivion.
Appearances in the Civil War episode were limited to both Semi-Finals (Spike vs Manta and Sobek vs 6 Million Dollar Mouse) and the overall Final, all with Sir Killalot as the other allocated House Robot. In Spike vs Manta, Dead Metal left his CPZ partway through as Manta rammed and left the loanerbot immobile next to the Pit trigger. He remained near the Drop Zone target as Sir Killalot collected and threw Spike onto its side opposite the Pit, which Manta pushed Spike into.
In Sobek vs 6 Million Dollar Mouse, Dead Metal pushed, clasped and dragged the former onto the Flame Pit after it lost one of its wheels. Again, this occurred while he was outside a CPZ, resulting in him getting a yellow card from Refbot. Dead Metal grazed Sobek's back panel regardless, and a separation by Refbot indirectly proved that Sobek had become immobilised at that point.
- "And here comes Dead Metal! What's he doing there?! He's definitely not immobilised, Sobek, so there's no reason! The Refbot's giving him a warning! Refbot sayin', "Hey... get back into your corner, you freak!" I wouldn't call 'im a freak, but at least not to his face anyway! But Refbot's a braver bot than me!"
- — Stefan Frank as Dead Metal attacks Sobek illegally
Once Sobek was counted out, Dead Metal resumed his attacks, cutting into its side before Sir Killalot dispatched it to the open Pit. Dead Metal's appearance in the Final (Manta vs 6 Million Dollar Mouse) was minimal by comparison. After 6 Million Dollar Mouse was turned on its side, counted out and re-righted by the Floor Flipper, he unsuccessfully tried to catch it in his pincers as it sped across the upper-left perimeter. Dead Metal made up for this by pinning 6 Million Dollar Mouse against the wall moments later, but again without bringing his saw into action.
Dead Metal made just one appearance in the Tag Team Terror, in the second Round 1 battle (Joker & Falcon vs General Chompsalot & Run Away). Again partnered with Sir Killalot, he initially left his CPZ to separate Joker and General Chompsalot, as the battle gradually devolved into chaos between all four competitors. Dead Metal reversed Joker off the Flame Pit with his back spike, and would remain stationary in the upper-left corner for several moments. After Sir Killalot illegally turned Run Away over, he would proceed to briefly grasp the Team Run Amok machine as it came close to being dumped over the arena wall.
Dead Metal pushes 6 Million Dollar Mouse towards the Pit
The War of Independence marked four further appearances by Dead Metal - the most he would get in any Season 1 episode. Three of these would occur in the opening Eliminator rounds. While having no involvement in the first battle between General Chompsalot and Stinger, Dead Metal would briefly pressure Rosie the Riveter and Plunderbird 5 as they strayed close to his CPZ, then as both competitors struggled for movement in the closing seconds of their duel. Later on, he would separate Pussycat from 6 Million Dollar Mouse in the aftermath of Cold Fusion Team's knockout victory. Dead Metal would grab and slice into the base of an upturned 6 Million Dollar Mouse, before pushing it into the opened Pit after the latter was re-righted - and had its flag mast removed - by Sir Killalot.
- "The Joker's up against the Pit release... and then he goes RIGHT INTO THE CORNER PATROL ZONE! He REALLY doesn't want to do that, and Dead Metal's gonna make him SUFFER for it! Dead Metal with those pincers and that grinder, OH, goin' through 'im like butter! Aw, he should've got out of that corner while he still could! Could be all over for the Joker boys now!"
- — Stefan Frank as Dead Metal capitalises on Joker's driving error (War of Independence, Semi-Final)
Dead Metal leaves himself and Joker suspended over the Pit
During the War of Independence Semi-Final between General Chompsalot and Joker, Dead Metal trapped Joker as it erroneously crept into the lower-left CPZ. Seizing and dragging it back, he proceeded to cut through the loanerbot's spinning shell, only for both robots to cross over the edge of the Pit simultaneously.
- "OH, but Dead Metal's just backed over the Pit! Well, I think he was havin' a little too much fun there!"
- — Stefan Frank, immediately after Dead Metal traps Joker and himself over the Pit
The Pit panel was soon raised back up, allowing Dead Metal and Joker to be freed and separated on their own accord. This would not prevent Joker from being subjected to another attempted pitting, this time by General Chompsalot, or from losing the battle on a Judges' decision.
One of Dead Metal's many attacks on Rippa Raptor
Excluding the localised World Championship broadcast (see Extreme 1), Dead Metal's last two appearances of the season were in the main US Championship episode. The first of these was in the third six-way Heat, (Tiger Cat vs Close Enough vs Rippa Raptor vs Manta vs Rosie the Riveter vs Mad Cow), where he was seen gripping Rippa Raptor after it was pushed into his CPZ by both Manta and Close Enough.
- "Just look at the force of Dead Metal, up against Rippa Raptor! Cuttin' right through! Well, he's only cuttin' through 'im 'cause Rippa Raptor [is] supposedly immobilised... and Refbot comes in to let Dead Metal know with a warning light! That he can't come in to clean up the trash until they're... well and truly over, out of this bout!"
- — Stefan Frank, as Dead Metal is warned for attacking Rippa Raptor early
Rosie the Riveter is thrown on top of Dead Metal
Dead Metal proceeded to push and slice into Rippa Raptor's framework, and would continuously repeat these attacks even while outside a CPZ. Digging his pincers into the base of Bob Pitzer's machine at one point, he persisted until Refbot gave him another yellow card. At this point in the televised match, it was suggested by Stefan Frank that Rippa Raptor had become immobilised, with the yellow card prompting Dead Metal to reposition himself in the upper-right corner. Moments later, Dead Metal focused on dispatching the fully-immobile Mad Cow, only for the Floor Flipper to throw Rosie the Riveter onto him.
Dead Metal cuts into The Revolutionist
Dead Metal would also be present for the overall US Championship final, between The Revolutionist and Panzer Mk2. During a commanding start by Panzer Mk2, he would briefly grasp and drag The Revolutionist once the former pushed it into him. Team LOGICOM's machine would crash into the side of Dead Metal seconds later. Further encounters with both competitors would follow once Dead Metal moved to the upper-right CPZ. Firstly trapping and cutting into The Revolutionist's spinning shell, he would briefly drag Panzer Mk2 away from the nearby wall, though Panzer Mk2 escaped quickly and ultimately secured a knockout flip on The Revolutionist. After The Revolutionist was eliminated and re-righted, Dead Metal steered it into the Pit, albeit with a broken right pincer.
US Season 2[]
Dead Metal attacks Joker (right) in its Season 2 Heat
Dead Metal's first appearances in Extreme Warriors Season 2 were in each of the Round 1 melees from Heat A of the main US Championship. His involvement in Panzer Mk4 vs Joker vs Snake Bite was limited, until he grabbed Joker once it was pushed into his CPZ by the defending champion. Dead Metal sliced the tip of Joker's spinning disc, while simultaneously pushing it across the arena perimeter and centre. The second saw attack damaged Joker's right tyre, though Dead Metal's weapon mechanism would immediately be enveloped in a cloud of blue smoke. Dead Metal later separated Panzer Mk4 and Snake Bite with a ram, before proceeding to cut into the latter's front wedge while it pushed him back into the top-right corner.
Dead Metal dispatches Cyclone into the Pit
Later on, during Cyclone vs Spin Doctor vs Probophobia, Dead Metal shoved the inverted Team Raptor machine onto its side as Refbot finished counting it out. From that moment, he proceeded to drag and push Cyclone onto the Floor Flipper, then into the opened Pit, while unsuccessfully trying to damage its tracks.
Dead Metal did not feature in any battles from Heats B and C, but would return for the Heat D Final between The Revolutionist and Propeller-Head. Here, he attempted to help Sir Killalot box both competitors into the lower-left CPZ, moments after Propeller-Head had its spinning blade removed. Dead Metal shoved the Team Robot Dojo entry towards Sir Killalot's claw; in doing so, he inadvertently allowed Propeller-Head to escape and quickly push The Revolutionist into the Pit.
Dead Metal cuts into one 'leg' of Techno Trousers
Heat E saw Dead Metal appear in both Round 2 battles as well as the Heat Final. In Rosie the Riveter 2 vs Techno Trousers, he left his CPZ to attack the Massachusetts machine in conjunction with Matilda, ramming it against the Disc of Doom trigger. Though immediately recognised by Stefan Frank as a breach of House Robot rules, Dead Metal's actions did not seem to lead to any penalty. Dead Metal parked over the Drop Zone target, before shoving Techno Trousers into an angle grinder and cutting into its left leg, housing the latter's 'lance' weapon. He continued to linger within the arena centre for some time, before cutting Techno Trousers again and dragging it out of the top-right CPZ. Leaving Techno Trousers over the Disc of Doom, Dead Metal was next seen driving past the opened Pit, seconds before the former was pushed down by Rosie the Riveter 2.
Dead Metal, seconds before cutting into the back of Basenji
In Basenji vs Darkness, Dead Metal circled around the former as it was being counted out by Refbot. He proceeded to grab, push and repeatedly cut into the back of Basenji's top panel, sending titanium sparks flying from the partially-dewheeled Baldwinsville entry. Dead Metal also briefly pressured Darkness in the lower-right CPZ during the Heat Final, pushing it into the pit release trigger in the process. When Rosie the Riveter 2 later pushed a flaming Darkness on the opposite side, Dead Metal and Sir Killalot piled into both competitors, prompting Refbot to nudge and hold Dead Metal on his front plough. The exchange, while intended to stop the House Robots from interfering, also had the effect of shuffling Dead Metal towards the Pit edge.
Dead Metal made just one appearance in Heat F, in the first-round melee between Tricerabot 3.0, Brawler and DiskoTek. He tried to seize a smoking DiskoTek once it was pushed towards his CPZ by Tricerabot 3.0, but without success, and would end up getting rammed by both competitors at a later stage in the fight. Dead Metal, by then in the upper-left CPZ, played no further part in an otherwise energetic and closely-fought pushing match between the trio.
In Heat G, Dead Metal was paired with Sgt. Bash for both Round 2 battles. The first - General Chompsalot 2 vs Run Away - involved both House Robots surrounding Team Run Amok's machine after it was turned on its side against the back wall.
- "Refbot is countin' down. Dead Metal and Bash are waitin' to clear up the disaster. Well they almost cleaned each other up there! At least Dead Metal... took a little shot at Bash! That's not supposed to happen! Run Away is just gonna get sawed, munched, burnt and crispified! And there's nothin' they can do about it!"
- — Stefan Frank as Dead Metal and Sgt. Bash attack the eliminated Run Away
Before Run Away was fully counted out, the duo charged into it. Dead Metal cut into the front framework and wedge panel, though little damage was inflicted to the latter as a result of the angle Run Away was left in.
Partway through Marauder vs Destructive Criticism, Dead Metal left his CPZ and lingered near the arena centre. Marauder drove into him as he parked next to the Drop Zone target, prompting Dead Metal to ram him and Refbot a few times in response. Similar concurrent attacks on Destructive Criticism also saw him cutting into the rear wedge plate of Team Boomer's machine. The exchanges ultimately lead to Refbot shoving Dead Metal sideways into the lower-right corner, though no cards appeared to be issued in the televised battle.
- "Though it's a single-arm Marauder... with... Dead Metal out into the middle of the arena as well, for some reason! I don't know why! He's lost his mind! Refbot saying "Get back to your corner!""
- — Stefan Frank as Dead Metal illegally attacks Marauder and Destructive Criticism
A further two appearances in Heat H began in the second-round battle between Bunny Attack and Tyranabot. Paired with Sgt. Bash once again, Dead Metal would initially play a small part, guarding the lower-left CPZ from Bunny Attack as the latter tried to dodge Sgt. Bash's flamethrower. Dead Metal later moved to the arena centre once again, before joining Sgt. Bash in clamping and controlling Tyranabot outside their corners. This exchange ultimately resulted in Tyranabot's jaws being snapped apart by Sgt. Bash's own front pincers, and Dead Metal surviving a short blast from his flamethrower.
During the Heat H Final (Tyranabot vs The Falcon Mark 2), Dead Metal briefly cut into the back of The Falcon Mark 2 as both competitors strayed too close to the lower-right CPZ. This would have no impact on The Falcon Mark 2, however, as it proceeded to win the battle and the last Grand Final place on a Judges' decision.
The Grand Final itself saw Dead Metal only participate in the first Round 1 battle - Panzer Mk4 vs Rosie the Riveter 2 - located in the lower-right CPZ once more. Slow at first to attack the defending US Champion, he would proceed to catch Rosie the Riveter 2 once it had been rammed into that corner by Panzer Mk4. Rosie the Riveter 2 pressed the Pit trigger while breaking free from his pincers, only to eliminate itself upon accidentally driving into the opened Pit moments later.
Dead Metal made his next two appearances in the subsequent Annihilator episode. In Round 3, he once again attacked a competitor while outside the CPZs, this time charging into the back of Cyclone as it extinguished itself over a CO2 floor vent. Dead Metal would do the same to The Termite, trying to grasp and cut into it while Sir Killalot also attacked. The very next round saw Dead Metal briefly chase Brute out of the lower-right corner, while the Team Vicious competitor pressed the Pit trigger. With Sgt. Bash by his side, he would trap and slice into Revenge, while proceeding to drag the immobilised S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Robotics machine into the lower-left CPZ. Both House Robots kept attacking Revenge during and after its count-out; Dead Metal dragged it onto the Floor Flipper before Sgt. Bash reversed it into the open Pit.
Three more appearances would follow in the Tag Team Terror. In the opening Round 1 clash (Trackzilla & Trilobyte vs Mad Cow Bot & Texas Tornado), both Dead Metal and Sir Killalot would leave their CPZs during an especially uneventful battle. Dead Metal would go in to push and attack Mad Cow Bot with his saw, in turn steering the Team Think Tank drum spinner into the upper-left CPZ. After inadvertently backing into Sir Killalot, he then repeatedly sliced into Trilobyte, moments before the latter nose-dived into the Pit on its own. Not content with this, Dead Metal dealt similar damage to Trackzilla. He was next seen cutting into Refbot's front plough, then resuming his attacks on the already-eliminated Trilobyte.
Dead Metal intervenes as Rocky-Bot-Boa tries to push Shunt
Dead Metal rams The Falcon Mark 2 with his rear spike
Dead Metal next featured in the third Round 1 fight - Rocky-Bot-Boa & Black Widow vs Joker & The Falcon Mark 2. Here, he drove precariously close to the Pit while it was activated by Rocky-Bot-Boa, and would team up with Shunt to attack it in the lower-right corner. Dead Metal entered quick skirmishes with Black Widow, The Falcon Mark 2 and Joker, later cutting into the front of The Falcon Mark 2 once Black Widow pushed it into his claws. The Falcon Mark 2 started lifting Dead Metal with its own arm, allowing it to escape with assistance from Joker.
Dead Metal slices into G-Force
Dead Metal attacks Mad Cow Bot (top-left) in the closing moments
In the first Tag Team Terror Semi-Final (Mad Cow Bot & Texas Tornado vs Sir Force A Lot & G-Force), Dead Metal would come out and attack Sir Force A Lot, cutting into its back armour while ramming it into the CPZ side wall. Later on, he would slice into an immobilised G-Force from the left-hand side, prompting Refbot to intervene and seemingly issue a yellow card. This would not stop Dead Metal from attacking G-Force again after it had been counted out, or Mad Cow Bot as Matilda ripped a large panel off of G-Force with her flywheel. Post-match replays included an additional clip of Dead Metal attacking G-Force prior to its count-out, with G-Force attempting to fend him off with its left axe.
Dead Metal targets an ailing Manta
Dead Metal next appeared in both Semi-Final battles from the International Championship, partnering Sgt. Bash on both occasions. The first - Manta vs General Chompsalot 2 - briefly saw him approach Manta from the lower perimeter as it began to suffer drive issues. Dead Metal cut into the back of Manta once General Chompsalot 2 pushed it into the Pit trigger, but played no further part as the battle went to a Judges' decision.
Dead Metal (bottom-left), about to attack Tornado as it pushes Razer into Sgt. Bash
The second Semi-Final - Tornado vs Razer - would see both House Robots be more actively involved, and major controversy emerge surrounding their influence on the fight. Dead Metal himself would first get involved once Tornado, fitted with an early version of the 'Anti-Crusher Weapon', pushed Razer into his CPZ in the lower-left corner. He simultaneously pushed both competitors back into Refbot and across the arena, while starting to cut into Tornado's weapon frame. Later on, while Tornado pushed Razer into Sgt. Bash, Dead Metal left his CPZ entirely to ram and attempt another cutting attack. During the closing moments, he would grasp both competitors in the upper-right corner, sparks flying as he cut into Tornado's disc.
- "We pushed them pretty much where we pleased, repeatedly into the CPZs - but the house robots repeatedly refused to attack Razer, and instead went for us! Even when Sgt Bash did get a hold on Razer, he let go almost instantly without doing any damage. Talk about not fair! We had words with Chris Reynolds after the fight, who claimed he could not see what was going on. But the judges were apparently told to ignore any house robot intervention because they had not done as they should."
- — Team Tornado website, on the House Robots attacking Tornado in the International Championship Semi-Finals[24]
Ultimately, the Judges were advised to overrule the House Robots' attacks on Tornado, giving Tornado the split decision and match victory as a consequence. In the televised episode, Andrew Marchant immediately highlighted their transgressions once interviewed by Mick Foley, with Team Tornado also expressing their unhappiness with said interventions in their online build diaries.[24]
Dead Metal slices into Medusa Oblongotta
Dead Metal would also make two appearances in the Robot Rebellion - the final Extreme Warriors episode to be aired. The first of these was in the first-round battle between Snookums and Medusa Oblongotta, with Matilda as the other allocated House Robot. From the lower-right CPZ, he would grasp and repeatedly cut into Medusa Oblongotta once it had been pushed in by Snookums. Dead Metal backed out as Medusa Oblongotta was deemed immobile, and an attack from Matilda's flywheel threw it out of the arena.
Dead Metal cuts into Snake Bite during the Robot Rebellion match
Along with Shunt, Dead Metal reprised his Extreme 1 role in the Rebellion battle itself, against Snake Bite and Snookums. Slow to get involved from the outset, he would catch Snake Bite, then turn into and pressure Snookums while it was under attack from Shunt. Snake Bite responded by lifting Dead Metal upwards with its front wedge shape, though Dead Metal responded by slicing into its centre-left wheel well. The tussle continued as Sir Killalot entered the arena. Dead Metal and Sir Killalot briefly pinned Snake Bite from either side, the former proceeding to push the Team Viper competitor towards the upper-right corner.
While Sir Killalot caught and threw Snookums onto its back, Dead Metal and Shunt kept attacking Snake Bite for some time. Dead Metal, while backing up for another attack in the upper-left corner, suddenly lost power entirely and played no further part in the match. His immobilisation would not stop the House Robots from emerging as the winning side, once Sir Killalot grasped and pitted Snake Bite.
Nickelodeon Robot Wars[]
Dead Metal slams Ninjitsu into the Pit
Dead Metal appeared in all six episodes of the one-off series Nickelodeon Robot Wars, filmed concurrently with Extreme Warriors Season 2. Alongside Sir K, he was present in both Round 1 battles from the US Championship - Tyranabot vs Ninjitsu and Probophobia vs Phantasm. Following Ninjitsu's immobilisation in the former, Dead Metal placed the Team Katana machine onto the Floor Flipper, then violently shoved it into the Pit while briefly slicing into its framework. He would then cut into Phantasm multiple times after its own count-out, in between additional attacks from Sir K on the Team S.S.S.L. entry.
The International Tag Team would see Dead Metal make his next two appearances. Neither he or Sir K played a major role in the closely-fought UK qualifier, Rick & Ming 3 vs Bigger Brother & Kat 3, won by the former pairing on a Judges' decision. In the third-place Playoff, Dead Metal made up for this by attacking Zanzara multiple times, as it was being controlled, lifted and at one point side-stranded by Bigger Brother.
In Episode 3, Dead Metal was initially announced to partner Sir K once again in the Vengeance battle between Bunny Attack and Hoot. However, his place in the arena would actually be taken by Matilda. Dead Metal would team up with Shunt for the Battle of the Spinners between Ninjitsu and Destructive Criticism, and Tyranabot's Challenge Belt defence against Tut Tut.
Dead Metal seizes Tut Tut during the first Nickelodeon Challenge Belt match
While the Battle of the Spinners took place with minimal House Robot involvement, he would seize and cut into the right-rear corner of Tut Tut while it held Tyranabot over the Steam Pit. Tut Tut, operated by Team Juggerbot's Nancy Rodriquez, escaped upon retracting its axe and turning backwards into Refbot. Dead Metal later dealt a similar attack to the side of Tyranabot, then pushed Ivan Loftis' machine away from the wall. In doing so, he cut Tyranabot's front-right tire completely open, as it became apparent that the latter had been completely immobilised. Dead Metal pushed Tyranabot again while Refbot counted it out, and would attack both competitors further before 'Cease' was finally called.
Dead Metal (centre-right) in the arena during the Episode 4 Mayhem
Dead Metal and Shunt surround Spin Doctor following its Vengeance loss
Episode 4 brought three further appearances for Dead Metal - the most he would receive in a single Nickelodeon episode. The first was in the Mayhem between Joker, Vert-I-Go and Techno Trousers, where he attacked and helped Shunt pin Joker in the upper-left CPZ. After flicking Joker's removable link out, Vert-I-Go later pushed Techno Trousers into Dead Metal, who in turn pushed the Massachusetts machine into an angle grinder. Dead Metal and Shunt would also jointly attack Spin Doctor, following its immobilisation against Probophobia in their Vengeance battle. Carving into the back wedge plate of the Team LOGICOM-prepared machine, he would ultimately steer Spin Doctor into the Pit to cement Probophobia's victory.
Dead Metal grabs and cuts Squirmin Vermin early into the House Robot Rebellion
For the third time in their careers, Dead Metal and Shunt would take centre stage in the House Robot Rebellion, fighting the loanerbots Humdrum and Squirmin Vermin. The Main Event of Episode 4, the fight started with both House Robots teaming up to push and pin Squirmin Vermin in the top-right corner. Dead Metal would focus on and be briefly rammed from the side by the yellow machine. An unsuccessful attempt by Squirmin Vermin to lift Shunt allowed Dead Metal to catch up, grasp and cut into its left side panel and tyre. All four robots briefly moved in unison; Dead Metal held Squirmin Vermin in his left pincer, while dragging Shunt and Humdrum back with the right.
Dead Metal and Shunt gang up on Humdrum
Following a separation, Dead Metal resumed his cutting attacks on Squirmin Vermin, which also took axe blows and was lifted by Shunt. While Shunt attempted to pit the Team Basenji-operated machine, he began cutting into Humdrum's shell while pushing it into Refbot and close to the Steam Pit. Dead Metal kept slicing Humdrum as Shunt joined in to damage the Team Robot Dojo representative further. Both would back out as Sir K, having entered the arena and dumped Squirmin Vermin out of it, crumpled and paraded Humdrum to the Drop Zone. A pile of scrap metal was dropped onto Humdrum, confirming the House Robots as the unanimous Rebellion victors.
Dead Metal's solitary appearance in Episode 5 occurred in the opening Mayhem clash between Rigby, DiskoTek and The Revolutionist. However, he would remain motionless in the upper-left CPZ throughout, while Sir K eventually brought DiskoTek and Rigby to the arena hazards following their count-outs.
Sparks fly as Dead Metal cuts into The Piecemaker during the Annihilator
Alongside Shunt, Dead Metal would appear in the final two rounds of the Annihilator, the last episode of the series to air. Early into Round 3, Hannibal pushed The Piecemaker into his clutches. Sparks flew as Dead Metal twice cut into The Piecemaker, with the compact Team Born2Bot machine ultimately being eliminated on a Judges' decision. During the overall Final between Bunny Attack and Hannibal, he would leave his CPZ to grab and cut the top fur of Bunny Attack.
- "Dead Metal comes in there and buries the saw into Bunny Attack! Just melts through like butter! And Dead Metal's got those clinchers right there and buries the saw into the poor helpless little bunny! Aww, naw - what's gonna happen next?!"
- — Stefan Frank as Dead Metal attacks Bunny Attack during the Nickelodeon Annihilator Final
Both robots remained together for several seconds, though Bunny Attack would pull away and fight on to another Judges' decision. In any case, the Chester family's machine would finish runner-up to Hannibal.
Dutch Series 1[]
Alongside the other Series 5 House Robots, Dead Metal prominently featured in Series 1 of Dutch Robot Wars. In the original BNN commentary for both series, he was also referred to as Death Metal. While introduced in every episode, his first appearance in a Dutch Series battle did not take place until the Final of Heat A, between Bamm Bamm and Lizzard. Dead Metal would play little part in the fight, however, which ended shortly after Lizzard became immobilised and was counted out.
Dead Metal and Twisted Metal gang up on a partially-immobile PullverizeR
Similarly, Dead Metal made his only Heat B appearance in the Heat Final, between PullverizeR and Twisted Metal, with more significant involvement. After PullverizeR lost a drive chain and became immobile on one side, he clamped the Team P.C.P. entry, moments before Twisted Metal tore off its right wheel.
Dead Metal slices Meshuggah
Heat C marked Dead Metal's next two appearances, beginning with the first-round duel between X-Bot and Meshuggah. After Meshuggah was immobilised, counted out and placed onto the Floor Flipper, he lined up to cut into the former as it landed in his clutches. From there, Dead Metal cut into the back of Meshuggah, sending sparks flying in multiple directions, before grabbing and pushing it into the opened Pit. The momentum of his push also caused him to fall in himself. Dead Metal was also present for X-Bot's second-round battle against Pika 2, but was otherwise not heavily involved.
Dead Metal pulls a tyre from Enderbot
In Heat D, Dead Metal once again made his only appearance in the Heat Final between Slicer and Enderbot. Here, he played a heavier role once the former began buffeting and controlling Enderbot into his CPZ. Following scuffles with both competitors, he proceeded to clamp and pull away one of Enderbot's tyres while Slicer pinned it against the nearby side wall, severely hampering Enderbot's mobility. Dead Metal grabbed Enderbot again and sliced into its remaining tyre once the latter was pushed into his clutches by Slicer. Once finished, he pushed Enderbot out of the CPZ before it was counted out by Refbot. After Enderbot was thrown by the Floor Flipper, Dead Metal sliced into it a final time before 'Cease' was called.
- "That seems to be a tyre swap, perhaps it's raining and the slicks need to be replaced for the rain tyres!"
- — Eric Corton as Dead Metal pulls off Enderbot's tyre (original BNN commentary, translated from Dutch)
Dead Metal (right) attempts to attack Shapeshifter outside his CPZ
Heat E saw Dead Metal make his most appearances across all Dutch Series 1 episodes, at four battles. In the first-round battle between Pathetica and Shapeshifter, he left his CPZ to attack the latter with his saw while both competitors lingered near the Pit release button. No damage was inflicted, though Dead Metal and Sir Killalot would later team up to damage and send the would-be immobilised Shapeshifter to the arena hazards. Dead Metal was also present for Shapeshifter's Losers' Melee, also involving MaxiMill and NEAT Machine, where he grabbed and began cutting into its brittle armour moments after Shapeshifter was counted out.
Dead Metal (background) watches on as Sir Killalot holds Pathetica over the Flame Pit
Dead Metal also took part in both of the Heat E Semi-Final rounds - Sater vs Pathetica and Sniper vs NEAT Machine. In the former, he twice cut into Pathetica's armour after it had been counted out, while Sir Killalot took it to the Floor Flipper, Flame Pit and Pit of Oblivion. Similarly, Dead Metal pinned the inverted NEAT Machine against the wall and cut into its side, once the latter strayed into his CPZ after being counted out. NEAT Machine's axe got caught underneath Dead Metal in the process, resulting in Sir Killalot pulling both robots towards the Pit, and lifting NEAT Machine to allow Dead Metal to break free.
Dead Metal captures and slices into the front of Lizzard
Though largely absent from the Grand Final, Dead Metal would play a major role in the Dutch Championship decider between Slicer and Lizzard. At an early stage, he twice attacked Slicer once it was pushed into his CPZ by Lizzard, inflicting minor damage and causing the former to lose sections from its tracks. Moments later, Lizzard snagged its tail on Dead Metal's pincers, though both would be separated by a push from Slicer. Lizzard would proceed to drive Slicer into Dead Metal's CPZ again, pressing it against him. A forward surge from Dead Metal allowed Slicer to escape, and to simultaneously cut and pin Lizzard against the wall as it tried to give chase. The exchange resulted in him damaging the front of Lizzard and removing its remaining decorative eye, before releasing and being bumped by it. Both competitors would survive to a split Judge's decision, awarding Slicer the Dutch Series 1 championship.
Dutch Series 2[]
Dead Metal cuts into Blackdevil Warzone
Dead Metal's first appearances in Dutch Series 2 occurred in both Semi-Finals from Heat A - Meshuggah vs Lizzard, and Blackdevil Warzone vs Neater. While playing no major part in the former, he would ram and cut into the back of Blackdevil Warzone following its count-out. Though Blackdevil Warzone tried to back away each time, its movements had come too late to save it from being eliminated at that stage.
Dead Metal attacks a defeated Impact
Heat B also saw Dead Metal being allocated for both Semi-Final matches. In the first, he was briefly warded off by the triangular spinner of Twister, before he and Matilda carried out a merciless assault on the defeated Impact. Dead Metal dragged Impact from the Flame Pit to the Floor Flipper, while cutting into its side. Once Team Tie-Rip's machine was flung by the Flipper and partially dismantled by Matilda's flywheel, he would carry its remains to the Flame Pit, while cutting one of its panels once more. By contrast, Dead Metal would have no influence on the second Semi-Final between Philipper 2 and Trazmaniac, ironically getting himself stuck on the Flame Pit partway through.
Dead Metal and Sgt. Bash attack Alien Destructor 2
Dead Metal, about to slash Alien Destructor 2's tyre
Dead Metal's solitary appearance in Heat C was in the first-round battle between Krab-Bot and Alien Destructor 2. When Krab-Bot mistakenly reversed into his CPZ in the lower-left corner, he pinned the temporarily-renamed UK Series competitor against the wall, though with his body fully raised. Dead Metal was thus unable to cut into Krab-Bot at all once he brought his saw down; Krab-Bot ultimately escaped with the aid of its own glove-controlled claws. Later on, Dead Metal slammed into both competitors as Krab-Bot dragged Alien Destructor 2 into Sgt. Bash's corner. As well as pushing all three robots back, he began slicing into Alien Destructor 2's top panel, then both of its left tyres as Sgt. Bash also grabbed hold of it. Smoke poured as the tyres were punctured, hobbling the partially-immobile Alien Destructor 2 further before it struggled to escape the CPZ.
Heat D brought a total of four appearances from Dead Metal, the first three within the opening round. In Amok vs Cyclone, he repeatedly cut into the side of Amok following its early immobilisation by the Floor Spinner, then sent it rolling into an angle grinder with a further push. After Amok was counted out, Dead Metal sliced it a few more times from the front, while controlling it into the Floor Spinner bumper and onto the Floor Flipper. Dead Metal finished Amok off by taking it to the Pit, with Cyclone and Matilda helping to push it down.
In Tough as Nails vs Scrap-2-Saur, Dead Metal briefly clipped the latter's flipper as it drove head-first into his CPZ. Following Tough as Nails' elimination, he and Mr. Psycho briefly sandwiched the future Series 7 Semi-Finalist, just as the latter took a blow from Mr. Psycho's hammer. After pushing and steering Tough as Nails into the Pit, Dead Metal fell in himself upon ramming it at high speed. Following Infinity's immobilisation against Bloody Murder Weapon, he again teamed up with Mr. Psycho to control it onto the Floor Flipper, in spite of Infinity's attempts to axe the latter. As soon as Infinity was thrown over, Dead Metal repeatedly cut into and gripped its side as soon as it was thrown by the Flipper, while Mr. Psycho hammered its baseplate. Eventually, he swiftly pitted Infinity without problems.
Dead Metal (left) and Matilda team up to finish off Gravity
Dead Metal left his CPZ early into the Heat D Final, where Scrap-2-Saur repeatedly flipped and left Gravity immobilised upside-down. After shuffling between the arena corners, he finally got involved by cutting into Gravity's right wheel, releasing smoke from the go-kart tyre. Once Gravity was counted out, Dead Metal maintained his earlier attacks, until Matilda inflicted severe damage to WJ Dijkstra's machine with a violent slam. Parts of Gravity's polycarbonate armour and internals - including a battery and CO2 canister - were ejected through the impact, the canister trailing as Dead Metal pushed it onto the Floor Flipper. Once Gravity was flung, its pneumatics severed and the robot re-righted by Matilda, Dead Metal almost got caught by the Pit as it descended. Undeterred, he proceeded to push the remains of Gravity into the Pit, while twice cutting into its rear framework.
Paired with Mr. Psycho once again, Dead Metal made his only Heat E appearance in that episode's Heat Final, between PulverizeR and the three-part clusterbot √3². Once two segments of √3² - Elevation and S.O.Xbot - were officially deemed immobile, he ironically first targeted the victorious PulverizeR, before witnessing Mr. Psycho smash his hammer down on Elevation's vulnerable underside. 'Cease' was called, however, before Dead Metal sliced into Elevation's crumpled chassis.
The Grand Final saw Dead Metal take part in three Round 1 clashes - PulverizeR vs Twister, Lizzard vs Bamm Bamm and Meshuggah vs Scrap-2-Saur. His first major contribution in these battles occurred in the second, where he initially joined Shunt in attacking Lizzard once it had been pushed into the top-right CPZ by Bamm Bamm. Lizzard was immobilised following Shunt's axe blows; Dead Metal proceeded to cut into its left side as it was being counted out, while simultaneously placing it on the Floor Flipper. Similar movements eventually left Lizzard on the Drop Zone, where a set of barrels was released, denting the latter's baseplate.
German Robot Wars[]
Dead Metal pushes Not Perfect past the Pit
Sparks fly as Dead Metal attacks Son of Armageddon
Throughout the short-lived German Robot Wars, Dead Metal was only seen in two battles in the main domestic German Championship.
In Heat B, he nearly shoved Not Perfect down the Pit, but ended up shoving it near Mr. Psycho instead as he was waiting in a nearby CPZ. In the Grand Final, he attacked Son of Armageddon in the latter part of its Eliminator, after opponent Black Hole pushed the latter into him. Dead Metal's saw sent sparks flying as it cut into Son of Armageddon's framework, though Son of Armageddon would still survive to the Jury's decision alongside Black Hole.
Appearances in Merchandise[]
- Dead Metal/Pullback
- Dead Metal/Minibot
- Dead Metal/Construction Set
- Dead Metal/Robot Wars: Metal Mayhem
- Dead Metal/Robot Wars: Arenas of Destruction
- Dead Metal/Robot Wars: Advanced Destruction
- Dead Metal/Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (GBA)
- Dead Metal/Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (PC/Xbox)
Gallery[]
Outside Robot Wars[]
Two versions of the Series 3-7 Dead Metal was among other House Robots and a Robot from Robot Wars' sister show Mechanoids, made a cameo appearance in a BBC documentary about Leonardo Da Vinci in a section where the props team attempted to recreate some of Leonardo's designs with wood and other materials from around his time period [25]
Dead Metal lines up alongside the other House Robots during The One Show in July 2016
On 21 July 2016, Dead Metal and the rest of the Series 8 house robots appeared on BBC's The One Show, to promote the new series of Robot Wars. They battled three remote controlled cars piloted by the cast of The Rebel. Sir Killalot flattened all three cars, and won the battle for the House Robots.
During the filming of TomSka's YouTube comedy short, The Robot Wars/Robot Wars, Dead Metal, along with fellow House Robots Matilda and Shunt, were visited by TomSka, Eddie Bowley and Elliot Gough in a warehouse with Robo Challenge branding. Dead Metal was stated by TomSka as "being something you wouldn't want to fight in real life", although he was inactive and had stage lights fitted in between his pincers.
The House Robots confront the Cybermen in the What If Robots Replaced Teachers? promo
Along with Sir Killalot and Matilda, Dead Metal also appears in the BBC Make It Digital promo What If Robots Replaced Teachers? as one of several robots running a high school in place of human staff. He and Matilda are seen accompanying Sir Killalot as he 'expels' a pair of disruptive Cybermen, and are credited onscreen as 'Senior Prefects'.[26]
In 2020, a full-sized replica of the Series 3-7 Dead Metal was completed by Jamie McHarg, with functioning drive and weapon systems. Complimenting McHarg's equivalent replica of Shunt, it has frequently attended events in the UK as both a static display and an active demonstrator. Over time, the Dead Metal and Shunt replicas were joined by similar replicas of the Series 4-7 Sgt. Bash (created by Calum Jones in 2021) and Growler (also built by McHarg and first displayed in 2023).[27][28][29][30]
Trivia[]
- Dead Metal was one of the fastest House Robots, one mile slower than Cassius Chrome, and his metre-wide body made him very difficult to flip over. Only Gravity and Apollo ever achieved this; Cassius came close in its Series 2 Heat Final, but did not succeed.
- By the time of Series 7, Dead Metal had fallen into the pit more times than any other House Robot.
- Dead Metal is the only House Robot which has been referred to as both a 'he' and a 'she'. The robot was considered male throughout its appearances in the original run and Series 8-9. Publications coinciding with Series 10 (e.g. Robot Wars: The Official Handbook) began referring to it as a female - however, the handbook mentions that the House Robots from the rebooted series are the "Descendants" of the originals, suggesting this Dead Metal is a separate female character.
- This matter is further complicated in Robot Wars: World Series, where Jonathan Pearce referred to the rebooted series Dead Metal as a male once again in the first Tag Team battle of the first episode.
- Out of all the House Robots built for televised Robot Wars series, Dead Metal was one of only three that have appeared in all series of both the Classic and Revival runs. The other two were Shunt and Matilda.
- Dead Metal was one of two House Robots to never be partnered with Cassius Chrome, the other being Matilda.
- Dead Metal was absent from twenty-one episodes.
- According to Chris Reynolds, unlike the other three original House Robots and Sir Killalot, Dead Metal was not constructed from any moulds. This is likely because its armour was predominantly made from sections of scrap metal.Citation?
- In an April 2024 episode of the BBC quiz show Pointless Celebrities, Dead Metal was one of the robots listed as an answer in a round titled "Robots from Robot Wars".[31]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tinweb post stating Colin Tilley drove Dead Metal in The First Wars
- ↑ Robot Wars Technical Manual
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 'Robo Challenge Interview - RoboNerd 2020 - Robot Wars and the House Robots' Caley Creations (YouTube), uploaded 25 August 2020
- ↑ The Making of Robot Wars
- ↑ Robot Wars: The First Great War
- ↑ 'All Hail The House Robots', Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars Souvenir Programme, 2002, pp.14-17 (p.15)
- ↑ James Cooper and Grant Cooper (2017), Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot, p.29
- ↑ ibid, p.25
- ↑ ibid, p.25, p.29
- ↑ Laura Jackson (2017), Robot Wars: The Official Handbook, p.39
- ↑ Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot, p.29
- ↑ Tom Gutteridge's blog post mentioning the Jeremy Clarkson incident
- ↑ 'Robot Wars: Cold Fusion', Cold Fusion Team website (archived)
- ↑ 'Spin Doctors', Robot Wars Magazine, Issue 2, pp.10-11 (p.10)
- ↑ 'Robot Wars Series4 Rnd1 Iron-Awe', unedited version of Mortis vs Mazakari vs Iron-Awe uploaded by ironawe5 (YouTube), 17 February 2008
- ↑ 'Robot Wars Iron-Awe vs Steg2', unedited version of Steg 2 vs Iron-Awe uploaded by ironawe5 (YouTube), 17 February 2008
- ↑ 'Robot Wars: Chaos 2 vs Pussycat (Extended Battle)', unedited version of Chaos 2 vs Pussycat uploaded by spongebot64 (YouTube), 7 March 2013
- ↑ 'Tornado - Robot Diary - Robot Wars Extreme 1', Team Tornado website
- ↑ Series 9 Teaser Trailer, featuring the House Robots.
- ↑ Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot, p.29
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialRobotWars/posts/711235075822927/?comment_id=711378002475301
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialRobotWars/posts/711235075822927/?comment_id=711235685822866
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialRobotWars/posts/711235075822927/
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 'Tornado - Robot Diary - TNN Extreme 2', Team Tornado website
- ↑ https://twitter.com/thethomasandfr1/status/1687407834101858304?s=46&t=cwSCg5U5mzcS4xjG8EjJSA
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjCkiNRM-FI
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialRobotWars/posts/1777067849239639/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/RobotRebellionUK/posts/pfbid0WBVc9Xx16779EF5maGwUHKb8pupHMZ98NAEQJbVU7TTWanQL8kDvH72yEFx3F5fYl
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialRobotWars/posts/2234546576825095/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/CaleyCreations/status/1674865860794540049
- ↑ Unofficial Robot Wars - April 2024
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