Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

[JayKeeley]

Has everyone seen it yet?

I watched it last night on PPV. It's good in that he at least explores some of the extreme genres, travels to Wacken and Norway etc. That said, there are parts of it that seem to leave it 'open ended'.

For example, he explores most of the major sub-genres, but completely dismisses DOOM. I find it very odd, considering the effort he's put into his metal 'family tree'. So for example, he'll list Hammerfall and Primal Fear, but no genere discussion around bands like My Dying Bride or Katatonia?

Also, WAY too much time spent on fucking Slipknot? How do they qualify above other bands? And the 14 year old girl he interviews insists on her identity and love for metal....and she turns out to be a Slipknot fan. Jeebus.

Otherwise, it's good -- mostly for beginners though I'd say. The obvious candidates are interviewed with the obvious questions. Iommi talks about the early days of Sabbath, Dio talks about "giving someone the evil eye" with those horns. Gorgoroth talk about burning churches.

Not bad.

 

[Demilich]

the guy from Mayhem was really drunk in his interview

 

[JayKeeley]

the guy from Mayhem was really drunk in his interview

Yeah that was Necrobutcher, the bassist. Not sure what the film maker was thinking trying to find anyone sober to interview at Wacken's backstage area.

 

[lurch70]

Zod had a thread about this some weeks ago ... on my Netflix queeeee

 

[JayKeeley]

Zod had a thread about this some weeks ago ... on my Netflix queeeee

Yeah I couldn't find it.

 

[General Zod]

I loved it. I enjoyed the perspectives of many of the academics. I thought Rob Zombie came across surprisingly well. And while you can argue that some of the interviews were less than interesting (the young girl, Slipknot, etc.), I think they were necessary to paint a complete picture of the scene. To me, the fact that he includes interviews with Mayhem, Gorgoroth, Enslaved, Emperor and Canibla Corpse, says he knows his Metal.

Zod

 

[Hell Mike]

To me, the fact that he includes interviews with Mayhem, Gorgoroth, Enslaved, Emperor and Canibla Corpse, says he knows his Metal.

Zod

Little mention of the current underground though? Maybe because that portion of time was taken by Slipknot...

 

[JayKeeley]

Yeah, it's a fun watch but I'm not sure if I learned anything new from it. It's pretty much focused on the early days, through the 80's including the obligatory "hair metal" coverage, and a glance into the Norwegian scene.

I think all of that is excellent if you're new to metal. Even the interviews with Dee Snider, and his debate with the PMRC, is all good stuff. I'm glad they referenced Tipper Gore and so forth.

Personally, I would have loved for this guy to explore where metal has reached today. He had an opportunity to do a brief historic overview, leading to the demise of metal from the 80's mainstream.....and then see how metal went back underground in the early 90's, aside from just the BM scene. Perhaps some coverage of the 'Peaceville Three', the Gothenburg melo-death scene, the enormity of on-line forum communities, the international contribution from bands all over the world (thanks to internet propaganda), from satanism to national socialism, all leading up to the recent resurgence with smaller bands playing small clubs and older bands still playing arenas or doing re-union tours. That sorta thing.

It's like this documentary really needs a sequel.