U.S. cable network VH1 Classic has dubbed November 11, or 11/11/11, “National Metal Day,” and will be marking the occasion with the premiere of the Banger Films documentary series Metal Evolution.

The 11-part series, distributed internationally by Toronto-based Tricon Films and Television,  features headbanging host Sam Dunn traveling around the world to chart the evolution of heavy metal music and features a wide range of the music’s purveyors, from Alice Cooper (pictured above with Dunn) to Rob Zombie.

“Celebrating National Metal Day on 11-11-11 gives us a platform to honor metal artists, and take metal music one step further than anybody has before,” said Ben Zurier, exec VP of programming strategy for VH1 & VH1 Classic. “We’ve lined up a tremendous collection of concerts, movies and specials, highlighted by the brand new series Metal Evolution – the ultimate history of metal and the larger-than-life characters who have written it.”

Banger Films co-founders Dunn and Scot McFayden are also behind the docs Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey; Global Metal; Iron Maiden: Flight 666 and Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage.