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"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 a lifting 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, 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.[1]

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[]

"It looked like the cross between a sort of lobster, and something that sort of formed from the scrapyard."
Chris Reynolds

Dead Metal was the least transformed of the 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 key elements - the horizontal pincers, circular saw and steel exoskeleton, consisting of jagged armour plates and spiked struts as wheel guards.

"Our own version of a scorpion!"
— Jonathan Pearce
DeadMetalProduction

Dead Metal under construction

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 move forward from the robot's back. During Series 1, the steel exoskeleton was simply designed, and as a result, its internal workings were visible and mostly unprotected. The saw blade was powered by a petrol strimmer motor, which was unreliable and caused little damage. The arm rotated at its pivot 180 degrees, but moved very slowly.

Dead metal01

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, which visibly increased its potency and reliability, being less complicated, and able to come down on trapped competitors much more quickly.

DeadMetal

Dead Metal in Series 6

In Series 3, Dead Metal underwent further improvements, and gained the appearance and destructive power it would retain for the remainder of the show's original run. The saw/pneumatic arm configuration was replaced with a Stihl 3000rpm cut-off saw (similar to the type used to cut steel and concrete on building sites) mounted inside the front and protected from damage by a triangular face-like exoskeleton.

Dead metal sparks

Dead Metal creating another shower of sparks

The triangular exoskeleton would become one of Dead Metal's most famous accessories. 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 powerful 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 aging. It retained its ability to produce massive sparks, however.

Dead Metal rear

Rear view of Dead Metal at the time of Extreme 2

Deadmetals7 arena

Dead Metal in the arena in Series 7

The original air-driven rams used to power the pincers were replaced by a new hydraulic system that ran on Carbon dioxide- the new system proved more durable and powerful than the original air rams. The armour and exoskeleton would remain the same throughout the rest of Robot Wars, with only 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 CPZ

Dead Metal inside the CPZ

In 2016, Dead Metal appeared in the BBC's second teaser trailer for Series 8. Dead Metal was rebuilt by Robo Challenge to feature larger claws which open 1.4 metres wide. Dead Metal gained a higher top speed, LEDs, and a weight increase of over 200kg, now weighing in at 343kg. Overall, the new Dead Metal retained almost all of the elements of the Series 3-7 version. The circular saw now runs at 4000rpm, with a larger 450mm magnesium saw blade, and also was built with an improved and stronger mechanism to shove the weapon forward. For the first time since Series 3, Dead Metal was again able to deal huge amounts of damage and slice through competing robots again. In official media, such as Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot this new version of Dead Metal is referred to as female, although Jonathan Pearce still refers to Dead Metal as male like in the Classic Series.

Robot History[]

Series 1[]

"And Dead Metal, with the pneumatic pincers and a steel cutting arm!"
— Jonathan Pearce introduces Dead Metal in Series 1

Dead Metal was the fourth and final House Robot to be introduced into the first series, driven by Colin Tilley.[2] However, memorable moments involving him were few and far between, due to the lack of power in his weaponry.

Roadblock vs Nemesis

Dead Metal grips Nemesis

Dead Metal Torque of the devil

Dead Metal's pincers claw through the head of Torque of the Devil

Due to the weakness of the saw, Dead Metal often relied on his pincers, as well as his speed and ramming capability. This proved to be especially effective in Heat D, when the featherweight Bugs was battered by Dead Metal when it got stuck on a grille; in Heat E, when the pincers cut through the plaster on Torque of the Devil's head; and in Heat F, when Dead Metal teamed up with Sergeant Bash and Matilda to push The Blob back in its Gauntlet run. However, this tactic still did not always work, as Robot the Bruce was easily able to push him aside in its Gauntlet run in Heat C, as was Skarab in Heat F. Dead Metal was also adapted to be used in the Football Trial in Heat C and acted as the goalkeeper. Instead of a circular saw, the arm had a solid wheel-like attachment on the end, used to hit and steer the ball away from the goal. One of his few instances of major damage to a robot occurred in this Trial, when he slammed WYSIWYG against the goalpost, causing it to break down (although, since WYSIWYG was a stock robot and not permitted to pass the trial, it is not clear whether or not it was truly immobilised). The Football attachment was also seen in many of the later Arena battles.

A serious accident occurred during the second day of filming, when Dead Metal's saw detached while cutting into a competitor. This resulted in the saw flying across the arena at over 200mph and embedding itself into a concrete wall behind where Jeremy Clarkson was standing. As a result, filming was delayed by over a week while the arena received protective Perspex barriers.[3] It is likely that this contributed to the saw being replaced with the non-spinning Football attachment for the rest of Dead Metal's appearances in the First Wars.

Series 2[]

Dead metal pit tug of war

Dead Metal is dragged to defeat by Chaos

With the upgrade, 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.

Deadmetalowngoal

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[]

Aggrobot Dead Metal sparks

Dead Metal slices into Aggrobot

Bumblebot Ultor Dead Metal

Dead Metal cuts Bumblebot's axe in half

DeadMetal onslaught

Dead Metal damages Onslaught

Diotoir vs Razer

Dead Metal cuts into a pitted Diotoir

Dead Metal's saw blade and saw blade mount were completely redesigned for the Third Wars, a new blade was fitted on a much larger mount with increased power. This arrangement would go on to be used on Dead Metal for the remainder of Robot Wars. The new saw enabled Dead Metal 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.

Terrorpin Inverterbrat Dead Metal

Dead Metal erroneously reverses into the pit

Gnasherscores

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
Dead metal side view

Dead Metal in Series 4

Dead Metal returned for the Fourth Wars relatively unchanged, but the power of its weaponry was increased in addition to it having a stronger exoskeleton. This was the last major change that happened to Dead Metal.

101 Dominator 2 Dead Metal

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.

Humphrey attacked

Dead Metal and Sgt. Bash attack Humphrey

Terror bull dead metal

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[]

Deadmetal vs diotoir official

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 cuts into Wheely Big Cheese

Dead Metal slices Wheely Big Cheese's wheel

Behemoth Hypno-Disc Dead Metal

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.

House robot rebellion extreme 1 official black and white

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.

DeadMetalStinger

Dead Metal cuts into Stinger's hubcap.

Anvil vs Mega-Hurts

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 Hippobotomus

Dead Metal slices into Hippobotomus

Dead Metal had the least appearances out of the House Robots in The Fifth Wars meaning that notable moments were few and far between. He also had to wait until Heat B until his first appearance in the competition, which meant that he was the only House Robot not to appear in the first heat of the series. He was also absent from Heat F and the Grand Final.

Dead Metal's first notable moment came in Heat C as he inflicted damage to Hippobotomus by slicing into its shell multiple times. He also caused the top of Hippobotomus to come loose in the process.

DeadMetalTwister

Twister is caught by Dead Metal

Dead Metal Twister

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 Wheely Big Cheese

Dead Metal punishes the beaten Wheely Big Cheese

ShuntLiftsWildThing

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 Gemini

Dead Metal goes into the pit with Gemini

FluffyPitted

Dead Metal pits Fluffy

Wheely Big Cheese vs Dead Metal

Dead Metal is flipped up by Wheely Big Cheese

However, Dead Metal also had his struggles in The Fifth Wars, as he got himself into trouble on multiple occasions while pitting immobile robots. In the battle between Firestorm 3 and Sir Chromalot in Heat D, the House Robot attempted to finish off Sir Chromalot but managed to suspend himself on the lip of the pit which meant that Sgt. Bash had to come in to finish the job. He went one step further in the next battle in the same heat between Reactor 2 and Gemini, when he overshot his drive while pitting one of the Gemini twins and ended up going into the pit as well. 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[]

Matilda Inshredable

Dead Metal waits to attack Inshredable

Dead Metal Revolution 2

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 13 Black

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 Razer

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.

Dead Metal Dynamite

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 Sir Chromalot

Dead Metal drives himself into the pit with Sir Chromalot

Sir Chromalot vs Dead Metal

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[]

Ex2AllStarsGrandFinal1

Dead Metal attacks Razer on top of Firestorm 4

Dead Metal made his mark in the All-Stars Grand Final between Razer and Firestorm 4 where after a tussle to begin with, the former had found itself in the CPZ with Dead Metal where he proceeded to bring his circular saw down on top of Razer's body. He was also involved in a lot of moments in 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.

X-terminator dead metal

Sparks are sent flying as Dead Metal attacks X-Terminator

BarbaricResponseDeadMetal

X-Terminator pushes Barbaric Response into Dead Metal

Growler mini morg

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

Dead metal's blade

Dead Metal's blade falls off

ShuntStuckDeadMetalClaw

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

MammothRunning

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.

CommonwealthCarnageFinal

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 vs Jackson Wallop

Dead Metal cuts into Jackson Wallop

One of Dead Metal's main highlights in the Seventh Wars came in Heat B, in the battle between Big Nipper and Jackson Wallop. With Jackson Wallop immobile, Dead Metal had the freedom to push it all around the arena, slicing through the artistic paintwork on top of Jackson Wallop's weapon, creating many sparks, eventually pitting the machine.

"Look what they've done to my paintwork!"
— Bernie Ryder, Team Battlebot
Gravity vs Shunt

Dead Metal watches Shunt get thrown over by Gravity

Gravity flipping dead metal

Gravity flips Dead Metal

The Seventh Wars marked the first time in the show's history when Dead Metal was flipped. In the Heat Final of Heat D, Gravity faced Lightning and defeated it relatively easily. After Lightning was counted out, the Gravity team decided to attack the House Robots. It threw both Shunt and Dead Metal over, leaving itself and Refbot as the only machines still moving. Refbot gave Gravity the red card, but at this point Lightning was already immobilised, so Gravity still went through to the semi-finals.

During the second melee of Heat H, St. Agro attempted to flip Dead Metal but did not succeed.

StAgroFlipsDeadMetal

St. Agro flips Dead Metal

Dantomkia vs dead metal & growler

Growler tries to intervene as Dantomkia lifts Dead Metal

During the semi-finals of the All-Stars, during the battle between Dantomkia and Panic Attack, after Dantomkia flipped Panic Attack out of the arena, it attacked not only Dead Metal, but also Growler, both of whom broke down.

Series 8[]

MerlinVSDeadmetal

Dead Metal takes on Merlin

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.

DeadMetalTerrorhurtz

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.

Mr speed squared vs thor 2

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 Foxic

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.

Apollo flips dead metal

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.

CC88 Dead Metal

Dead Metal immobilises Crazy Coupe 88

Beast Dead Metal

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 flips tr2 again

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 Robo Savage Dee

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.[4] 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 its first appearance of the series

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 attacks behemoth

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.

Rogue Dead Metal vs Concussion

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 vs Wyrm

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 Ms Nightshade

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 Aftershock

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 Sabretooth

Dead Metal goes 'Rogue' on Sabretooth

Behemoth Apollo 1

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 him to temporarily pin the Team Make Robotics machine against the side wall.

Rapid Terrorhurtz 2

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 Iron-Awe 6

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.

Coyote Thor Dead Metal

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.

Behemoth vs Magnetar

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 vs 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 her 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.

Apollo vs Dead Metal

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.

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 him and Sir Killalot at various moments, following its victory over the returning Irish machine.

Big Nipper Dead Metal

Sparks fly as Big Nipper goes charging into Dead Metal

Eruption Dead Metal Big Nipper0005

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[]

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 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.

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[]

In Heat G, Dead Metal came out of a CPZ, and illegally attacked Marauder, but Refbot intervened, and Dead Metal backed off, possibly recieving 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 broke down 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[]

Enderbot vs Slicer HF

Dead Metal pulls a tyre from Enderbot

As a House Robot hazard, Dead Metal also prominently featured in the international series. One of its more notable moments came in Heat D of Dutch Robot Wars: Series 1, in the Heat Final between Slicer and Enderbot. During the battle, Dead Metal pulled away one of Enderbot's tyres using its claws, to immobilise the machine, later cutting into the remaining tyre with its saw to release gas.

"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 (translated from Dutch)

Dutch Series 2[]

In Heat B, Dead Metal and Matilda carried a merciless assault on Impact during its loss to Twister. Dead Metal placed the beaten robot on to the Floor Flipper, and flew into Matilda's flywheel, and buried his saw into what was left of Impact, and pushed it on to the Flame Pit.

In Heat D, He placed Amok on to the Floor Flipper after it became immobilised right at the start of it's battle, and then put Tough as Nails down the Pit, but then drove in himself, like he did before in the UK series. In the Heat Final, Dead Metal attacked Gravity as it was pushed into a CPZ by Scrap-2-Saur and flipped. After Gravity was counted out, Dead Metal placed it on to the Floor Flipper, where it's Co2 cannister fell off and sprayed everywhere because Matilda attacked it with her flywheel. Then Dead Metal put the destroyed machine down the Pit.

In the Grand Final, Dead Metal placed Lizzard on the Floor Flipper, and then the Drop Zone where barrels fell and dented it's armour,

German Robot Wars[]

NotPerfectPit

Dead Metal pushes Not Perfect past the pit

SOASparks

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[]

Gallery[]

Outside Robot Wars[]

Two versions of the Series 3-7 Dead Metal was among other House Robots and a Robot from Robot Wars' sister show Mechanoids, made a cameo appearance in a BBC documentary about Leonardo Da Vinci in a section where the props team attempted to recreate some of Leonardo's designs with wood and other materials from around his time period [5]

House Robots One Show

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.

House Robots school promo

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'.[6]

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.

References[]

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