Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

[Wheezer]

I finally got to sit down and watch this yesterday. Marine, I saw you. Pretty cool what you had to say.

The movie overall was just OK. It jumped around a bit and had far too much of Slipknot in it. :zombie: I'd prolly have to watch it a few more times to figure out how much I agree/disagree with some of his opinions. I think it's well worth the time spent watching it. There are some cool interviews but at times I felt like he cut the interview short when it felt like it was just getting to the heart of the matter. Generally he'd offer up some opinion of his own rather than get it straight from the source. That's why I'm looking forward to the second disc which contains all of the interviews, uncut.

I bought it but I would suggest renting it first.

 

[carnut]

Also saw it and it's a very good effort. It's a little bit incomplete as for example he has far too much attention to the Norwegian an Swedish Black Metal scene and completely forgets his own 80's US Metal scene... But overall very interesting. Indeed cool to see Marine there !!! (although he was wearing the wrong shirt I think, hahaha, we should have pushed our ideas harder when he asked us what to wear ). Overall it puts up a positive image of metalheads, out with the stupid Beavis and Butthead image we have and in some very intelligent conversations from Dio, Alice Cooper, Dee Snider, Bruce Bruce, etc...I would have loved to see more interviews with fans, like who can forget to put Hawk or people like King Fowley in here ??

 

[Hawk]

Also saw it and it's a very good effort. It's a little bit incomplete as for example he has far too much attention to the Norwegian an Swedish Black Metal scene and completely forgets his own 80's US Metal scene...

Indeed!! I have seen it as well and it seems most Americans don't really know how to appreciate their own bands. It still weirds me out when I think about it.

But overall very interesting. Indeed cool to see Marine there !!! (although he was wearing the wrong shirt I think, hahaha, we should have pushed our ideas harder when he asked us what to wear ).

You mean that Lamb of God shirt? Yea well we are just to damn liberal here!!

Overall it puts up a positive image of metalheads, out with the stupid Beavis and Butthead image we have and in some very intelligent conversations from Dio, Alice Cooper, Dee Snider, Bruce Bruce, etc...

He sure tries! But I am not sure he succeeds that well.

I would have loved to see more interviews with fans, like who can forget to put Hawk or people like King Fowley in here ??

Well you do have a point there, not about me not being in the movie but this docu does neglect the more cerebral side of metal. He could have talked about the lyrics of Rush drummer Neil Peart or given some time to prog-metal. I mean, were the hell are Dream Theater or Symphony X??

As I watched this movie I never got the feeling that I got the scoop from an inside vintage point. And it does places way too much emphases of the hypes that surround or have surrounded metal. It made me think of what the late great metal DJ Tommy Vance always said: "Its the music that matters"...

Still, it was interesting to see...

 

[Wheezer]

Indeed!! I have seen it as well and it seems most Americans don't really know how to appreciate their own bands. It still weirds me out when I think about it.

I sometimes wonder if Metal would have existed without the English bands (Sabbath, Zep, Purple, Cream, etc.) electrifying and hardening up the Blues. It's basically American music but we had to be shown how to do it first. Didn't the NWOBHM kick off the 80s US metal scene? It would seem to me that someone else always started it. I guess America started Disco and Rap but I'd rather not lay claim to that myself.

Label something as "imported" and it's a strong selling point here. Well, not always, but more often than not.

Well you do have a point there, not about me not being in the movie but this docu does neglect the more cerebral side of metal. He could have talked about the lyrics of Rush drummer Neil Peart or given some time to prog-metal. I mean, were the hell are Dream Theater or Symphony X??

There was really no mention of prog at all. When he was going over the connection to classical music I kept waiting for some mention of prog but it never happened. The closest he got was talking to Geddy Lee but his conversation had more to do with the early days.

As I watched this movie I never got the feeling that I got the scoop from an inside vintage point. And it does places way too much emphases of the hypes that surround or have surrounded metal. It made me think of what the late great metal DJ Tommy Vance always said: "Its the music that matters"...

Yeah! That's what I meant -- it's missing the inside scoop. The stuff on the hype, especially the PMRC thing, was overdone. John Denver actually did a better job with his senate testimony than Dee Snider did. Of course John Denver wasn't metal, so I guess I get that.

 

[Hawk]

I sometimes wonder if Metal would have existed without the English bands (Sabbath, Zep, Purple, Cream, etc.) electrifying and hardening up the Blues. It's basically American music but we had to be shown how to do it first. Didn't the NWOBHM kick off the 80s US metal scene? It would seem to me that someone else always started it. I guess America started Disco and Rap but I'd rather not lay claim to that myself.

What about MC5, Blue Cheer, Jimmy Hendrix and Mountain? Although I agree that the foundations of hard rock were laid by the English blues boom American bands have surly player a role.

As for the NWOBHM, it did not start with a clear slate. Most of the bands from the NWOBHM knew US bands like Riot, Y&T, Montrose, Rush, Cheap Trick [the guys from Raven were HUGE Cheap Trick fans!!], Styx and Van Halen [who had a huge impact on the metal scene]. Again; the role of the US hard rock/metal scene is underrated.

Label something as "imported" and it's a strong selling point here. Well, not always, but more often than not.

Yea I know. Not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to cars, but when it comes to metal it leads to an under appreciation of some fantastic US metal bands.

There was really no mention of prog at all. When he was going over the connection to classical music I kept waiting for some mention of prog but it never happened. The closest he got was talking to Geddy Lee but his conversation had more to do with the early days.

Exactly! Bands like Boston, Kansas and Rush were very popular among 70s hard rock fans. I know because I was one of them.

Yeah! That's what I meant -- it's missing the inside scoop. The stuff on the hype, especially the PMRC thing, was overdone. John Denver actually did a better job with his senate testimony than Dee Snider did. Of course John Denver wasn't metal, so I guess I get that.

And don't forget the testimony of Frank Zappa who blew the testimony of Dee out of the frigging water!!

 

[carnut]

I see, I see...gotta buy a camera soon

 

[Hawk]

I see, I see...gotta buy a camera soon

Indeed you must buddy!

 

[Death Animal]

I would want to see that video.
Hope it´s get here sometime.
Hope it´s not shitty like some Metal documents.

 

[sixxswine]

I'm gonna pick this up, but from what I had heard it's a mixed bag, if UMOS members are saying this then that's what it is...
Too bad. Had potential...

 

[Greeno]

Crap... I didn't know this was out already. Off I go to the shit mall cd shop to see it they have it...........

 

[Platinum Maze]

I stumbled on this last weekend and picked it up. Pretty cool, but I thought there would be more to it.

One thing though...I heard this guy that did the movie Sam interviewed on XM radio a few weeks ago, and I could have sworn he said he was from Canada (Ontario), not the US. I thought his accent pretty much confirmed that. Didn't want to crush any of your theories about the US metal scene being somewhat forgotten, but....

 

[carnut]

I stumbled on this last weekend and picked it up. Pretty cool, but I thought there would be more to it.

One thing though...I heard this guy that did the movie Sam interviewed on XM radio a few weeks ago, and I could have sworn he said he was from Canada (Ontario), not the US. I thought his accent pretty much confirmed that. Didn't want to crush any of your theories about the US metal scene being somewhat forgotten, but....

Haha, than he forgot the Canadien scene: Piledriver, Exciter, Razor, Anvil, Sacred Blade, Sword, Voivod....
(you see we allways wanna be right )

 

[Wheezer]

I'm gonna pick this up, but from what I had heard it's a mixed bag, if UMOS members are saying this then that's what it is...
Too bad. Had potential...

I'm thinkin' (hoping) the second disc of interviews is probably going to make it worthwhile for me. I kneejerked and bought it when I normally would have Netflixed it first. It's a bit pricey at $23.

 

[Wheezer]

What about MC5, Blue Cheer, Jimmy Hendrix and Mountain? Although I agree that the foundations of hard rock were laid by the English blues boom American bands have surly player a role.

I've always thought The Doors were a little underrated as far as an influence too.

Here's something that's a little funny -- Hendrix always seemed English to me. I'll bet he wished he was back when he started out. Maybe that's where it lies -- the underappreciation has a pretty serious history that goes back to the beginning. Maybe it's inherited! I agree with you but I really can't put my finger on why it is.

As for the NWOBHM, it did not start with a clear slate. Most of the bands from the NWOBHM knew US bands like Riot, Y&T, Montrose, Rush, Cheap Trick [the guys from Raven were HUGE Cheap Trick fans!!], Styx and Van Halen [who had a huge impact on the metal scene]. Again; the role of the US hard rock/metal scene is underrated.

Ah hah! That's exactly why I asked the question because what I know of the history of that time is convoluted. Thanks!

Yea I know. Not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to cars, but when it comes to metal it leads to an under appreciation of some fantastic US metal bands.

My wife and I have all Toyotas now.

And don't forget the testimony of Frank Zappa who blew the testimony of Dee out of the frigging water!!

How could I have forgotten Zappa? It was a simple matter, really. Censorship by law of any kind is bad. Censorship should begin and end with the parents. Quite honestly it scares me the way people continue to invite the government further and further into their homes.

 

[Iced Ray]

I liked it. It was well done. Yeah, there is a lot of metal that was not covered in depth or if at all but you would need a few hours to be able to do that.

 

[LivingCadaver]

Haha, than he forgot the Canadien scene: Piledriver, Exciter, Razor, Anvil, Sacred Blade, Sword, Voivod....
(you see we allways wanna be right )

Ah! I saw some of these bands last year there was a hughe reunion thrash fest in Montréal, it was awesome! The following bands played: Razor, Piledriver, Anvil, Exciter, DBC,Aggression and a new band called Lying Truth.

I didn't saw this documentory yet, once I get money. I'll buy it.

 

[Greeno]

Haha, than he forgot the Canadien scene: Piledriver, Exciter, Razor, Anvil, Sacred Blade, Sword, Voivod....
(you see we allways wanna be right )

There is an interview with Lips from Anvil and Piggy and the drummer (can't think of his name... Away?) from VoiVod on the bonus disc. Some video with Exciter would have been great.

Overall I liked this dvd. It's not "the history of heavy metal", he's trying for something more than that. He's trying to answer "WHY" heavy metal... why people who likes it like it sooo much and why it's lasted for all of these years. It's about the culture of metal, not realy the history (although he does touch on that little).

To be honest I would have liked to have seen less interviews with the bands and more with the fans who were there as each scene developed.

 

[SavaRon]

I bought this the day it came out and I have to say it's pretty good. (Circuit City had it for around $16 on sale) Like Greeno said, it's not a history of metal. He's trying to find out why some people love it so much including himself. There should have more interviews with actual fans though if that's what he was tring to acheive. It was missing the whole Prog/Power thing for the most part. You could tell he was into the more extreme stuff, so it kind of covered that a bit more. There is even a mini documentary on the second disc about the black metal scene.

Overall it's a decent DVD and would recommend it for any fan of the genre.