Dead Metal

Dead Metal
Participation Information
UK Series	1-10, Extreme 1-2
US Series	1-2, Nickelodeon
Dutch Series	1-2
German Series	1
Live Events(Mentorn)	Robot Mayhem, 2001
Other Names	Death Metal (Dutch Series)
Robot Statistics
Weight	343kg (Series 8) 112kg (247lb) (Series 7)
Dimensions	160cm (63in) x 100cm (39in) x 70cm (28in) (Series 7)
Speed	13mph (Series 8) 12mph (19km/h) (Series 7)
Power	Battery powered engine
Weapons	4,000rpm circular saw Pneumatically powered pincers
Personnel
Driver	John Boundy (Series 1-7) Robo Challenge (Series 8-10)
Weapons Operator	Andy Lazell (Series 1-7) Robo Challenge (Series 8-10)

"Ahh, Dead Metal. A cross between a hedgehog and a stealth bomber... 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 a scrapyard, 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.

Dead Metal was originally built and 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.

Design

Official promotional image of Dead Metal (Series 4, front view)

"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. All incarnations would also utilise a two-wheel drive system, a common layout shared by most other House Robots from both televised runs.

"Our own version of a scorpion!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Dead Metal being introduced in Series 1

Dead Metal's base plate

Dead Metal under construction

Dead Metal in testing shortly before Series 1

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. Its circular saw was attached to a tail-like arm that would swing overhead from the robot's back end; the mechanism contributed to both Chris Reynolds and Jonathan Pearce likening this incarnation of Dead Metal to a scorpion. 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, which was unreliable and caused little damage. The arm rotated 180 degrees at its pivot, but moved very slowly.

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 saw was changed from a grinding blade to a diamond-edged cutting disc. The steel exoskeleton was also completely changed to accommodate the new saw mechanism, giving Dead Metal a much more complex and well-protected appearance. The new cutting disc was more powerful and created sparks whenever Dead Metal attempted to slice through other robots, but still did not give the production team the destructive power they wanted. The arm was also modified - it was now driven by a pneumatic ram and only moved up and down on an 80-degree pivot, allowing it to descend on trapped competitors at a faster speed. Not only would this change visibly increase the weapon mechanism's potency and reliability, but also make it less complicated to operate.

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 during the Series 5 House Robot introductions; note the adjustable chassis height

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.

Rear view of Dead Metal at the time of Extreme 2

Dead Metal in the arena in Series 7

As part of the upgrades, 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. The armour and exoskeleton would remain the same throughout the rest of the Classic Robot Wars run, with only a few minor modifications to improve protection and durability. Dead Metal also later gained the ability to adjust the height of the front of his chassis, the idea being that this would allow the pincers to grab robots of different heights, and was often demonstrated in its arena introductions.

"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 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 higher top speed of 13mph, orange LED lights for the front 'eyes', and a weight increase of over 200kg; the adjustable height system was also discarded to prioritise a consistently lower ground clearance. Overall, the new Dead Metal retained almost all of the main design elements of the Series 3-7 version, while once again able to cut through competitors with ease and create vast showers of sparks. In official media, such as Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot, the Series 8-10 build of Dead Metal is referred to as female, although Jonathan Pearce still refers to Dead Metal as male like in the Classic Series.

The width of Dead Metal's Series 8-10 claws is measured

The reboot Dead Metal under construction

Dead Metal in the arena during Series 9

Dead Metal's Series 8 stat card, posted by Robot Wars social media pages

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. 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 floor 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.

"...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 use 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 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.

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, marked by a small collision with Matilda as the latter proceeded to cut Skarab's aerial. Dead Metal otherwise retreated to his CPZ 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. 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 would continue to make consistent 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.

Though Dead Metal was introduced alongside the other House Robots in Heat A, 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 is dragged to defeat by Chaos

From that point on, Dead Metal began seeing great success in stopping opponents in the Gauntlet, using a combination of speed, pushing power and trapping ability to prevent robots including Sting, Onslaught, Killerhurtz, Panic Attack and Loco from completing it (although Killerhurtz knocked part of Dead Metal's armour off in the process). One of Dead Metal's signature moves was grabbing the competitor with its pincers and pushing it towards the pit, while cutting them with his saw. Notably, it continued to cut into the top of Wizard's protruding hat even after it had been pitted, prompting boos from the audience.

Dead Metal serving as goalkeeper

Dead Metal temporarily replaced Shunt for the Sumo Trial event in Heat L. Dead Metal defeated four out of five opponents, and only losing to Vercingetorix because time ran out. He did fall out of the ring once, against Haardvark, but Haardvark was already beaten at that time.

Despite this success, Dead Metal still faced several failures. He was completely outmatched by Chaos during the Tug of War event, and was easily dragged into the pit. Dead Metal was also pushed into the pit by Talos during its Gauntlet run. During the King of the Castle Trial run, Plunderbird 2 pushed it off the platform with Sergeant Bash. Also during the King of the Castle, Dead Metal managed to catch Mega Hurts with his pincers and forced it over the edge backwards, but as this happened Mega Hurts flipped over, and Dead Metal fell over the edge with it, crushing Mega Hurts' computer monitor with its weight.

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.

Dead Metal slices into Aggrobot

Dead Metal cuts Bumblebot's axe in half

Dead Metal damages Onslaught

Dead Metal cuts into a pitted Diotoir

Dead Metal's overhauled weapon system enabled him to make much more significant damage to competitors, such as Hammertron, Aggrobot, Razer and Onslaught. It also cut Bumblebot's axe clean in half, and dealt Chaos 2 serious damage in The First World Championship, enough for Chaos 2 to reverse into the pit to escape.

However, Dead Metal continued a string of bad driving, reversing straight into the pit during the fight between Inverterbrat and Terrorpin.

Dead Metal erroneously reverses into the pit

Dead Metal fails to stop Gnasher from scoring

Dead Metal was also assigned Goalkeeper for the Robotic Soccer competition, but was ineffective, being too slow to prevent Velocirippa or The General from scoring, and whilst blocking Gnasher's first attempt, it made no attempt to block the follow-up. In the bout between Alien and Evil Weevil, it left the goals to re-right Alien, but Matilda was able to prevent Evil Weevil from scoring. Dead Metal was replaced by Sergeant Bash in the final.

Series 4

"When the sparks fly, robots usually die."

— Jonathan Pearce

With subtle changes including increased weapon power and a stronger exoskeleton, 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 grabs 101

Dead Metal played a passive role in Series 4, tending only to attack when robots reached his CPZ or after they had been defeated. He immobilised Cronos after Steg 2 and Crusader 2 pushed it into the CPZ in Heat D, and dealt damage to 101 when Dominator 2 did the same in Heat E. Dead Metal also caught and dealt damage to Humphrey and Reactor, among others. He did, however, free 101 and Spikasaurus when they became stuck during bouts in the arena, and even served as a type of bouncer, separating team mates 101 and King B3 when they turned on each other.

Dead Metal and Sgt. Bash attack Humphrey

Terror-Bull lifts Dead Metal. Note the out of place plates near Dead Metal's saw

Dead Metal was not immune to some damage, however. In Heat P, an immobile Terror-Bull made a rare and difficult attack on Dead Metal, and managed to lift it off the ground and bend part of Dead Metal's triangular saw guard "face" out of place. However, Dead Metal was not impeded from pitting Terror Bull shortly after. In the Northern Annihilator final, Dead Metal broke one of his pincers whilst freeing Spikasaurus once again.

Extreme 1

Diotoir is chased by Dead Metal

Dead Metal was involved in three separate incidents during the Allstars. In the battle between Diotoir and Wheely Big Cheese, after Diotoir had been counted out, a large strand of Diotoir's fur became snagged on Dead Metal, giving it a "tail" of sorts as it chased Diotoir around the arena. Then, in the battle between Behemoth and Hypno-Disc, Dead Metal wrongfully attacked Behemoth and received a yellow card. But then he attacked Behemoth again and Refbot gave him a red card as a result. Making Dead Metal the first House Robot to be red carded. Finally, during the fight between Chaos 2 and Tornado, after both competitors were fighting in a CPZ, Dead Metal attempted to attack Chaos 2 but both Tornado and Dead Metal were flipped against the side wall, with Dead Metal's claw trapping Tornado.

Dead Metal was involved in a spectacular moment in one of the Mayhem battles of Robot Wars Extreme Series 1 between Hypno-Disc, Wheely Big Cheese and Ming 3. After Hypno-Disc had immobilised both its opponents, Dead Metal went in to attack the damaged Wheely Big Cheese slicing into one of its wheels a few times. Due to the wheels being covered in titanium-tipped spikes, this attack caused loads of big and bright sparks to fly around the arena.

Dead Metal slices Wheely Big Cheese's wheel

Dead Metal launches a second unprovoked attack on Behemoth

A notable incident involving Dead Metal in Extreme Series 1 occurred in Behemoth's first-round battle of the All-Stars competition, where it faced Hypno-Disc. Behemoth pushed Hypno-Disc into the CPZ, so Hypno-Disc should have been attacked by a House Robot. However, Dead Metal came into the CPZ and attacked Behemoth instead. Refbot pushed it away and issued it with a yellow card. The battle continued, and Behemoth pushed Hypno-Disc into another CPZ. Dead Metal came out again, but proceeded to attack Behemoth again. Behemoth escaped and Refbot issued Dead Metal with a red card, meaning it was unable to leave its CPZ for the rest of the battle. This made Dead Metal the first House Robot to be issued with a red card.

Dead Metal in the House Robot rebellion

Dead Metal also fought in the House Robot Rebellion with Shunt and later Matilda, where it faced Stinger, Scorpion and Plunderbird 5. It started by attempting to attack Stinger, but Stinger escaped, and Plunderbird 5 attacked Dead Metal, prompting it to attack Plunderbird 5 with its saw. After Plunderbird was thrown by the Floor Flipper, Dead Metal was attacked by Scorpion and Stinger. Shortly after this, Dead Metal caught Stinger with its claws and began cutting into its wheels. Stinger escaped and hit Dead Metal with its mace and drove away before cease was called. As it was the only challenger still moving, Stinger was announced as the victor.

Dead Metal cuts into Stinger's wheel hub

Dead Metal pits Anvil illegally

Dead Metal twice forced judges' decisions in fights involving the Royal Air Force and their robot Anvil. In the Armed Forces Melee, Anvil pitted both Mega-Hurts and Rhino, but Dead Metal pushed from behind resulting in Anvil falling in with the other two. More controversially, Dead Metal seized the dominant Anvil in the final of the Forces Special and spun around. Anvil flew out of the grips of Dead Metal and fell into the pit. Craig Charles quickly pointed out that the move was illegal and the judges awarded the fight to Anvil based on the fight up to that point.

Series 5

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. He was also absent entirely from Heat F and the Grand Final.

Dead Metal slices into Hippobotomus

Dead Metal pits one half of Gemini, along with himself

Dead Metal would appear in three of the Eliminators from Heat C, his most significant contribution occurring during Stinger vs Hippobotomus. During the latter battle, he inflicted major cosmetic damage to Hippobotomus by slicing into its sandpit shell multiple times. In the process, he also caused the Team Torque machine's top lid to loosen.

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.

Twister is caught by Dead Metal

Dead Metal lays into the immobile Twister

The House Robot also had his way with Twister after it was immobilised in its battle against Clawed Hopper in Heat L, as he sliced into Team Berserk's machine and then cooked it on the flame pit.

Dead Metal punishes the beaten Wheely Big Cheese

Shunt lifts Wild Thing to separate it from Dead Metal

Dead Metal was a consistent presence during the Semi-Final second round battle battle between Razer and S3, with Razer involving the House Robot throughout the battle to help pressure and cause damage to S3. Dead Metal was previously involved in a moment where Shunt lifted him to separate him from Wild Thing. Dead Metal then sent sparks flying from Wheely Big Cheese's titanium wheels after it was defeated in its Semi-Final first round battle against Dominator 2.

"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 attacks Wheely Big Cheese

Dead Metal pits Fluffy

Dead Metal is flipped up by Wheely Big Cheese

There was one more occurrence of Dead Metal's erroneous driving when disposing of a beaten robot, as he followed through when pitting Fluffy in the Heat L final, which left him beached over the arena hazard for a third time in the series. Wheely Big Cheese also lifted Dead Metal from the arena floor in the Heat H Final, the closest the House Robot had come to being flipped.

Series 6

Dead Metal waits to attack Inshredable

Dead Metal slices into Revolution 2

Dead Metal made his mark in the first round melees of Heat G, causing significant damage to Inshredable's chassis before slicing through Revolution 2's spinning blades, sending copious amounts of sparks flying on both occasions. The damage he and Matilda inflicted on Inshredable was sufficient to prevent it from being properly repaired in time for its Round 2 clash with Anarchy.

Dead Metal cuts into 13 Black

The House Robot then made an impression on the overturned 13 Black in its Losers' Melee battle against Wild Thing 2 and Dantomkia, as he cut through one of its support brackets and sent sparks flying.

Dead Metal brings its weapon down onto Razer

Dead Metal was involved in the final two battles of the UK Championship, as he first helped Shunt pit Terrorhurtz after it became immobilised against Firestorm 4 in the Playoff, before bringing its circular saw down onto Razer in its Grand Final battle against Tornado when the two-time world champion ventured into the CPZ.

The immobile Dynamite is carved by Dead Metal

Dead Metal appeared in the UK vs Germany Special at the end of the series as well, an episode in which he inflicted damage to loanerbot Dynamite and Ansgar's Revenge. He also pitted 259 after it was beaten by Fluffy.

Dead Metal drives himself into the pit with Sir Chromalot

Dead Metal and Sir Chromalot in the pit

The House Robot also carried out arena hazard duties on Chompalot in Heat F and Sir Chromalot in Heat D, although, in the latter incident, the House Robot repeated his driving errors from The Fifth Wars, as he miscalculated his pitting of Sir Chromalot and went into the pit with it.

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 in the series were 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 provokation. 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 lead 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 was also involved in a lot of moments throughout the Tag Team Terror. The first battle of Round 1 where he chased Sumpthing around the arena and also slicing into X-Terminator's axe mechanism. In the first of the semi-final battles, he made a persistent presence in the battle slicing into X-Terminator's scoop, the top of Barbaric Response and also slicing into Mini Morg when it had been immobilised. Finally, he and Growler pitted Mini Morg before the battle ended.

In the first Round 1 melee of the Middleweight Championship, Shunt was attacking Broadsword along with Dead Metal. However, Shunt turned with his scoop raised, and became stuck on one of Dead Metal's claws. Dead Metal reversed to try and release his fellow House Robot, but this merely pulled Shunt, so Shunt had to raise his lifter to free himself. In the other Round 1 battle of the Middleweight Championship, Dead Metal managed to catch up with Mammoth and slice into it.

Sparks are sent flying as Dead Metal attacks X-Terminator

X-Terminator pushes Barbaric Response into Dead Metal

Dead Metal helps Growler to finish off Mini Morg by pitting it

Dead Metal's blade falls off

Shunt gets himself stuck on one of Dead Metal's claws

Dead Metal catches up with Mammoth and slices it

During the Minor Meltdown battle between Bigger Brother and Rick, Dead Metal's saw blade fell off. It proceeded to fly across the arena floor, before colliding with the side wall and falling into a gap between the arena and the side wall.

Dead Metal is flipped by Firestorm 4 as Sgt. Bash crumples its rear

Dead Metal was also attacked during the Commonwealth Carnage final between Firestorm 4 and Crushtacean after the former had propped the latter up against the wall. As Refbot counted the South African robot out, Firestorm chased after Dead Metal and started trying to flip it, only for Dead Metal to get stuck on an angle grinder, pinning both robots and stopping either move. Sergeant Bash then proceeded to crush into Firestorm in retaliation for that attack and for flipping both him and Mr. Psycho in the previous battle.

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.

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, Ewe 2 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.

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

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.

Dead Metal slices into Foxic

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, though both competitors would survive to a Judges' decision. Dead Metal inflicted further damage to Foxic during its otherwise uneventful Head-to-Head against M.R. Speed Squared, generating 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.

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 10th February 2017. The teaser showed him and the other House Robots destroying household appliances, with Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" playing in the background in one version.

"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

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 a tussle with Crackers during Crackers 'n' Smash's Head-to-Head against Coyote, as he sliced into the green half of the clusterbot after Coyote moved it into its pincers. During 'Rogue House Robot', he proceeded to place Crackers onto the Flame Pit, though Crackers 'n' Smash would still go on to win the battle regardless. Dead Metal's final appearance of the episode came in the final Head-to-Head between Crackers 'n' Smash and Apollo, and he made his mark on Crackers once more by sawing into it after it was overturned. He also sent sparks flying from Crackers after Apollo hurled it onto the House Robot's saw.

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 damaged Dead Metal's right pincer as Eruption pushed it disc-first into him, before both competitors escaped.

Series 10

Dead Metal appeared five times in Heat A, beginning with the Robot Redemption round between Sabretooth and Apocalypse. This 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 his CPZ upon striking Donald Thump. He 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, he 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 his CPZ while cutting into the latter's titanium scoop. Later on, he 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 in Heat C, including both Robot Redemption rounds. In the second - featuring Vulture and Bucky the Robot - he 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 his 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, he 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, he 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 his 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 himself being attacked by both Coyote and Thor late into the fight, as revenge for the House Robot's attack on the immobilised minibot Detention. Though not seeing much action in the Robot Redemption between Expulsion and Push to Exit, Dead Metal would again maintain a strong presence in each of the Heat Semi-Finals. Firstly, he attacked Thor once again during its second match against Coyote, sawing into Jason Marston's machine after it ventured into the CPZ. Secondly, he 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 - he drove into the arena through a lowered entry gate, but 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, he 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 his pincers around Behemoth

Dead Metal briefly pressured Eruption again later on in the same episode, after it was thrown into his CPZ by Behemoth during their Semi-Final. Michael Oates' machine would later respond by throwing Behemoth onto Dead Metal's sawblade, allowing him 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 he initially attempted to attack a wayward TMHWK, then Cobra, but got one of his 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 his 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 he 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 his 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 his 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.

"...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.

During the US Championship, he illegally attacked Rippa Raptor during Heat 3, receiving a yellow card from Refbot as a result. Dead Metal also recieved a yellow card for attacking Sobek in the Civil War.

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 Mk 4 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 be enveloped in his own cloud of blue smoke. Dead Metal later separated Panzer Mk 4 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 came out of a CPZ, and illegally attacked Marauder, but Refbot intervened, and Dead Metal backed off, possibly receiving a yellow card.

Along with Shunt and Sir Killalot, Dead Metal featured in the eponymous finale of the Robot Rebellion episode. Starting the fight alongside Shunt, he used his saw to cut into Snake Bite, but became immobilised halfway through the match. Regardless, the House Robots came out the victors.

Nickelodeon Robot Wars

In Nickelodeon Robot Wars, Dead Metal, along with Shunt and Sir K (Sir Killalot), was able to dispatch loanerbots Squirmin Vermin and Humdrum to win the House Robot Rebellion. Dead Metal was able to cause huge damage to both robots with its weaponry, slicing right into Humdrum's chassis at least twice.

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' Round, 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 Jury'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)

The Dead Metal pullback

The Dead Metal Minibot

Dead Metal Construction Set

Dead Metal in Robot Wars: Metal Mayhem

Dead Metal in Robot Wars: Arenas of Destruction

Dead Metal in Robot Wars: Advanced Destruction

Dead Metal in Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (GBA)

Dead Metal in Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (PC/Xbox)

Gallery

Dead Metal without claws during construction

Dead Metal in the Series 2 arena

DeadCam (Series 1-4)

DeadCam in Series 8

A cartoon Dead Metal attacking Spawn of Scutter on a Poster from Issue 17 from the Robot Wars Magazine

On a Poster from Issue 19 of the Robot Wars Magazine

Dead Metal with Sgt. Bash and Matilda during a photoshoot

Dead Metal with Chris Rowland and Terry Bates during a photoshoot

Razer and Dead Metal in a promo shoot in Robot Wars: The Official Magazine,Issue 5

Dead Metal official photo for Series 4

Both Classic-era builds of Dead Metal (top-right) stored in the warehouse

Dead Metal on display

Dead Metal replica model used for displays

Dead Metal's internals

A closer look at Dead Metal's internals

Sir Killalot and Dead Metal in the House Robot Workshop during Series 6

Dead Metal (background) mounted on the wall at the Robo Challenge workshop, 2023

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

Dead Metal lines up alongside the other House Robots during The One Show in July 2016

On July 21st, 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 various Robo Challenge logos present. 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'.

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.
• As of Series 7, Dead Metal has 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.
• Originally Dead Metal was suppose to have appeared in the Redemption battle between Hobgoblin and Coyote, however, for unknown reasons, it went berserk and crashed into the Dial of Doom, ultimately forcing Shunt to pin the machine down and be replaced with Sir Killalot.
• Out of all the House Robots built for Robot Wars, Dead Metal was one of only three that have appeared in all series of the classic era and the reboot. 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.