Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
A film that will take you into the heart of the beast.
In this exhilarating trip through the world of its spine-tingling musical climaxes as well as its scandalous lows, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey explores the culture of heavy-metal music over the past 35 years. Following the sounds and rhythms of this movement, Sam Dunn—a 30-year-old anthropologist and a 20-year-long metal fan—gives an in-depth treatment of what he dubs “one of the most important cultural movements to emerge in last 40 years.” He explores some of life's most controversial topics, including sexuality, religion, violence, and death, from a heavy metal perspective. From interviews with musicians, fans, and metal experts, including conversations with Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson and Bob Ezrin, the answers to some longstanding questions bring unexpected answers. The research for this film spans across two continents and seven countries combined with rare footage to weave a unique insight into this often-misunderstood art form.
Member Reviews
a great documentary for anyone - hart
I'm not a huge metal fan, but my husband is. I love documentaries, so we thought this was something we could agree on. This movie hit all the right notes for me by being well researched and easy watch for someone who doen't know the history of metal, and entertained a true metal fan.Ah yes, commercialism at it's finest - Dr_Talk
From the 70s/80s generation of headbangers, and one who has had his share in listening and performing metal, I say WELL DONE! This is an extremely well done documentary with plenty of REAL research behind it. This is just the kind of film that anyone could watch for either entertainment or education. No one is trying to force anything on the viewer except facts and behind the scenes interviews of those who have succeeded in the industry.
I think however that the title may be a little misleading to the uneducated. If you're not a metal fan, chances are, one look at the cover and you begin to imagine nothing but mosh pits, drugs, sweaty guys, drugs, noise (not music), drugs...etc.
Even as an educated fan I found this most insightful. When the documentary begins to shift towards the death and satanic themes in metal it is reminiscent of passing a car crash on the highway...you just HAVE to look. There are brief segments with the most notorious Norwegian satanic/death metal performers. It's so completely laughable. Yes, for whatever reason the Norwegian bands seem to be the most violent, evil and wicked in imagery, but that's it...imagery! It's a marketing scheme to see who can be more controversial than the others. The few "artists" who claim to be satanists are so desperately trying to hold on to their evil image so the well doesn't run dry. These guys are the real sell-outs in the entertainment business as a whole. I'm very glad that this documentary shows both sides of the fable. Note: watch for the segments with Alice Cooper who takes great pleasure in debunking the myth of these "evil musicians".
Whatever your personal preference, this title makes for a good viewing experience. And prepare to raise your fist, making sure your hand is configured to represent the sign of the devil, thrash your head up & down and scream till you puke. Just kidding...save that for dinner at the in-laws.
From the Mind of Dr Talk!A Must For Any Music Fan - Big_J
Although I am only a casual metal fan, I am fanatic about music in general. From the point of view of a music fan of kind I can't imagine how this film could possibly be even remotely disapointing. Not only was this movie entertaining, it also paid due respect to a genre of music that is often underappreciated and/or not taken seriously. The film does a great job of showing the devotion of the fans and the musicians. For those of us not schooled in the ways of metal - everything is broken down (in very friendy charts) into genres and sub-genres. The diversity of musicians featured is also amazing. At no time was this movie cheesy or over the top. My only regret was not seeing it sooner.
Member Reviews
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a great documentary for anyone - hart
I'm not a huge metal fan, but my husband is. I love documentaries, so we thought this was something we could agree on. This movie hit all the right notes for me by being well researched and easy watch for someone who doen't know the history of metal, and entertained ...Ah yes, commercialism at it's finest - Dr_Talk
From the 70s/80s generation of headbangers, and one who has had his share in listening and performing metal, I say WELL DONE! This is an extremely well done documentary with plenty of REAL research behind it. This is just the kind of film that anyone could ...A Must For Any Music Fan - Big_J
Although I am only a casual metal fan, I am fanatic about music in general. From the point of view of a music fan of kind I can't imagine how this film could possibly be even remotely disapointing. Not only was this movie entertaining, it also paid due respect ...