Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

[WhiffleBallTony]

So, last night, I was bored and watched a little TV. I found that a movie called Metal: A Headbanger's Journey was on VH1. I went to it, figuring it would be another commercial, stereotyped view of metal similar to what is always on VH1 and MTV. I was actually wrong, and despite a few inaccuracies, it was actually a really interesting film.

The movie is basically a documentary by Sam Dunn, a headbanger. He grew up with Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Slayer, Venom, all that jive. In college, he majored in anthropology. Using this, he studies the culture of heavy metal.

For anyone who's a metalhead, I recommend this film. I found it extremely interesting and it was actually intelligent, quite the change from most stuff that is showed on VH1. It has interviews with Bruce Dickinson, Alice Cooper, Ronnie James Dio, and plenty of other legends who know what they're talking about. The whole thing is on YouTube in 10 parts, so if you want to watch it, you can.

[Rockbandfan23467]

My question is why do they cover Punk?

[WhiffleBallTony]

My question is why do they cover Punk?

Huh?

What?

[HyeJinx1984]

I'll be sure to check this out, thanks for the heads up! :)

[Rockbandfan23467]

Huh?

What?

The Metal Family Tree has Punk on it.

Also, Cream is Metal according to HBJ.

[HyeJinx1984]

Here you go, enjoy!

Part 01
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mVeVPkfiUo8

Part 02
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WY9DfcW0dhI

Part 03
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XDXTbbgLU1U&feature=related

Part 04
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oUrNPgYsJmo&feature=related

Part 05
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YYQARkyElv8&feature=related

Part 06
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h6dRfGAWPW8&feature=related

Part 07
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0IVCBHJtFhI&feature=related

Part 08
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7CFXsB-tRcg&feature=related

Part 09
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WFf5GKcBm6U&feature=related

Part 10
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VzvBJ1l7_OU&feature=related

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

The Metal Family Tree has Punk on it.

Also, Cream is Metal according to HBJ.

They are categorized under early metal IIRC, and that's pretty accurate since they were an early rock band that helped shape the genre of metal.

Also, it's fair that punk is covered. Both are fast, abbrasive types of music.

[WhiffleBallTony]

The Metal Family Tree has Punk on it.

Also, Cream is Metal according to HBJ.

Cream is early metal. They, along with Blue Cheer and Hendrix, had the heaviest music of the late '60s. They aren't straight up metal, but they really influenced a lot of it and were essential in its evolution.

With punk, I believe it was hardcore that was include, which has a lot of similarities to thrash metal.

[Hungryfreak]

It gets a few facts wrong, but a great and informative movie nonetheless. Greatest part?

Sam Dunn: What is the primary ideologies or primary ideas that fuel Gorgoroth's music?
Gaahl:............................................ ......................Satan...

(around 7:45 of part 8, for those who don't know it)

[Hastyl3]

It gets a few facts wrong, but a great and informative movie nonetheless. Greatest part?

Sam Dunn: What is the primary ideologies or primary ideas that fuel Gorgoroth's music?
Gaahl:............................................ ......................Satan...

(around 7:45 of part 8, for those who don't know it)

What about Mayhem?

[WhiffleBallTony]

It gets a few facts wrong, but a great and informative movie nonetheless. Greatest part?

Sam Dunn: What is the primary ideologies or primary ideas that fuel Gorgoroth's music?
Gaahl:............................................ ......................Satan...

(around 7:45 of part 8, for those who don't know it)

That part made me laugh so hard when I saw it. I love how he sips the red wine right after.

[Hungryfreak]

What about Mayhem?

What about Mayhem?

[Shredder87]

What about Mayhem?
"WE ARE THE GREATEST FU**ING METAL BAND EVER!!!!" or something like that from a drunken Necrobutcher. I laughed pretty hard. I like Mayhem, but come on now.

[culturedog]

That Gaahl bit was incredible - it was soooo stagy! Nobody has ever made the word "Satan" sound so damned funny!

A few years ago I did a radio interview with the director Scot McFadyen. Here's the link. (http://www.archive.org/details/SMcFadyenInterview)

Still waiting for Scot and Sam's follow up doc "Global Metal".

[ThrobingCane]

What about Mayhem?

Those guys are crazy.

[HyeJinx1984]

I don't know about anyone else, but when I clicked video 5 it said no longer available, same for all the rest down to 10.. disappointing :(

Anyway, I was struck by just how short Ronnie Dio is, lol

[bood-boy]

So, last night, I was bored and watched a little TV. I found that a movie called Metal: A Headbanger's Journey was on VH1. I went to it, figuring it would be another commercial, stereotyped view of metal similar to what is always on VH1 and MTV. I was actually wrong, and despite a few inaccuracies, it was actually a really interesting film.

The movie is basically a documentary by Sam Dunn, a headbanger. He grew up with Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Slayer, Venom, all that jive. In college, he majored in anthropology. Using this, he studies the culture of heavy metal.

For anyone who's a metalhead, I recommend this film. I found it extremely interesting and it was actually intelligent, quite the change from most stuff that is showed on VH1. It has interviews with Bruce Dickinson, Alice Cooper, Ronnie James Dio, and plenty of other legends who know what they're talking about. The whole thing is on YouTube in 10 parts, so if you want to watch it, you can.


correc me if im wrong... but the dude who made it is Canadian! the only thing i DONT like about the filom.. is how it depicts a metalhead as though he lives the lifestyle of a metalhead. im a metalhead, and im a normal guy. one would not know by simply looking at me that im a metalhead. yet thats the point he drives into the viewer..

the best part is when hes in Norway.. interview Gorgantan (or something along those lines the band name is) and he asks them....


Q: "What is the driving force behind your music?"

*long pause, twirls red wine around his wine glass*.....
A: "Satan."

Q: "ummm.. what does Satan represent to you?"

*long pause.........*
A: "Freedom."


awesome film. i recommend to any and all music fans. the stuff they have with Twisted Sisters singer in front of congress and Tipper Gore is incredible. thats a must see for everyone.

[culturedog]

Definitely pick up the DVD if you run across it, too. It comes with some great deleted scenes, extended interviews (and lots of footage of a metal bellydancer!) and another short doc about black metal.

There's another multi part doc with Gaahl on YouTube that I think is called "True Norwegian Black Metal". I'd post it here, but my work firewall don't like no videos. Anyhow, a bunch of guys with video cameras trek out to Gaahl's hometown where he attempts to kill them with excessive wine drinking and mountain climbing.

pause....wait for it...pause...almost there....pause..."Satan"

[HyeJinx1984]

ok so I watched the whole thing. Pretty good, though there are a few things that could have used more depth... for example, it doesn't really show what Metal does that is positive that other music doesn't do. Basically, at best it's worst it is destructive, and at it's best it is harmless... but shuldn't it be more than just harmless at it's best? shouldn't it be enlightening or something? I dunno, just playing devil's advocate here, since I myself love metal. I guess the best answer is the one he gives near the end "you either feel it or you don't" and that's very true, not just about metal, but of all Rock N' Roll.

Also, it reaffirms my distaste for most extreme metal, specifically black metal. Musically I just can't stand the stuff, but also subject matter wise I can't get behind Norwegian satanic black metal, not because I'm super Christian or anything... quite the opposite, but just like I don't like Christian rock telling me about how great Jesus is, I don't want these guys ranting about Satan either.. who, honestly, IS a worse example if you're going to follow on religious symbol over another. And as much as I think Christianity has done bad for the world, from a cultural and historic stand point I can never condone burning down a church, somethings are just wrong... I know I'm not in the minority of thinking this, but I just had to point it out.

Also, it's kind of weird to have a whole documentary on Metal and not have a single interview with Metallica. I know a lot of people consider them washed up or irrelevant, but really... a metal documentary that doesn't interview them, or even really talk about them much (other than one mention I think) is kind of weird... even weirder was, despite that, they ended the movie with Master of Puppets, lol.

[Rockbandfan23467]

And as much as I think Christianity has done bad for the world, from a cultural and historic stand point

Listen up pal,

It's done good for the world too. Hospitals, College, Education for Women, better treatment of the blind, and more!


But I do dislike Death/Black Metal for the same reasons you mentioned.

[HyeJinx1984]

Yes, Christianity has done good things too, but I'm just saying, even though it's done a lot of bad, it still doesn't justify burning down church's.

I guess I have a somewhat unique view on this because I think to most people Christianity is just a religion. You can be born into it, fall out of it, convert to it, ignore it, worship it, etc... however, I can see Christianity as a cultural thing to. It's kind of similar to how Jewish people feel... if you ask them if being Jewish is a religion or a culture, they say it is both. There are people who are absolutely not religious but consider themselves culturally Jewish. Most Christians don't feel that way about Christianity, but I think I have a unique view point on this because I am Armenian, and Armenians see Christianity and being Christian very similar to how Jewish people view being Jewish... yea, it's a religion, but even if you don't believe that stuff, it's a cultural thing. For example, I don't go into all the religious stuff, but I still wear a cross, I still identify as being Christian in a way that I think most American Christians don't really understand.

So, to get back to my point, as much as I think Religion is a big brainwashing scheme, and would agree with a lot of atheist and agnostic Metal musicians who write music about breaking free from the confines of religion, I can't define going the opposite direction to Satan, nor can I defend burning down churches or any building really, because it has a cultural and historic importance. When I heard in the documentary that the church they had burned down was 200 years old, it broke my heart.

[Hungryfreak]

Judaism is not only a culture, though, it's genetic. Our secret? Thousands of years of inbreeding!

As for the churches, being anti-religion, I don't care about the religious implications, but the historical value of the churches is something that cannot be replaced. Burning down a 200 year old church is on the same token as burning the original constitution.

[Mystlyfe77]

While I don't like Black Metal either, I'd recommend also checking out the documentary True Norwegian Black Metal. It's on YouTube and here (http://www.vbs.tv/shows.php?show=1072&source=sc). It's an interesting take on black metal, focusing on Gaahl.
Also know that Gaahl (and many other black metal musicians) isn't "satanic" in the Judaic sense of the world (ie, devil worship). He's definitely anti-christian, but his satanic senses are more of him translating his beliefs into "Christian language". His true religious belief is a norse paganism, but he strongly believes that religion should not be pushed upon other people, and that the Christian god is an oppressive monstrosity.
The other highly notorious black metal musician, Varg Vikernes, isn't "satanic" either, and has grown quite frustrated with fans thinking Burzum is. He created the Odalist belief system to distinguish his beliefs from Nazism as well.

[Hungryfreak]

Yes, black metal isn't necessarily satanic or anti-christian. A lot of it is just pagan. I mean look at the lyrics to a song like I Am The Black Wizards. Very well known (symphonic) black metal song. Exactly as I said; not satanic or anti-christian, but just pagan at most.

If black metal was just distinguished by lyrics, it wouldn't be justifiable as an entirely different genre.

[Shredder87]

Immortal rules. Not satanic, all grim and frostbitten.

AND THEIR PHOTOS ARE TO DIE FOR!!!!!

[Hungryfreak]

Of course! Immortal ignored all of the craziness and had fun generating great music and hilarious photos/videos. No Satan, just permafrost!

[Shredder87]

I know. They don't even take themselves seriously with their appearance. Plus they're the only ones that can work the "Corpse/War" paint. I mean, look at Lars from GH. THAT'S ALL ABBATH!!!!

[Hungryfreak]

Maybe Lars is just Abbath who got fat from having eated your powdered donut (http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v192/14/125/5744066/n5744066_37941188_3692.jpg), haha.

[Zidane]

Also, it's kind of weird to have a whole documentary on Metal and not have a single interview with Metallica. I know a lot of people consider them washed up or irrelevant, but really... a metal documentary that doesn't interview them, or even really talk about them much (other than one mention I think) is kind of weird... even weirder was, despite that, they ended the movie with Master of Puppets, lol.

He tried to interview Metallica, but he started filming a little after the recording of some kind of monster was finished. By that time they were all interviewed out.

I think the guy did an extremely good job on the documentary. I loved when Dio talked crap about Gene Simmons. I forgot what his next documentary was going to be, but I heard a rumor is was going to be a more inside look at Death Metal. I liked how bands said that a lot of the music was influenced by where they grew up, I think Slipknot made their best point there.

[Shredder87]

Maybe Lars is just Abbath who got fat from having eated your powdered donut (http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v192/14/125/5744066/n5744066_37941188_3692.jpg), haha.
A grim and frostbitten donut from the lands of Blashryk.

[cdestey]

the stuff they have with Twisted Sisters singer in front of congress and Tipper Gore is incredible. thats a must see for everyone.

There was a really good, really funny movie about those hearings on VH1 a few years ago called Warning: Parental Advisory.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308692/

[Onslaught_fei]

Pretty good film, hadn't seen it before. Its good for scratching the surface.

[Mystlyfe77]

I liked how bands said that a lot of the music was influenced by where they grew up, I think Slipknot made their best point there.

My exact response to Slipknot's comments were, "**** man, Iowa blows!"
Of course this was follow by Lamb of God's all too true comments about the violence in Richmond. I felt that Slipknot's were probably hyperbolic to an extent (although I've never been to Iowa, so I may be wrong), but given my dealings with Richmond (and knowing several people who live/goto college there), LoG's weren't.

Unrelated note, Dio is short.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

My exact response to Slipknot's comments were, "**** man, Iowa blows!"
Of course this was follow by Lamb of God's all too true comments about the violence in Richmond. I felt that Slipknot's were probably hyperbolic to an extent (although I've never been to Iowa, so I may be wrong), but given my dealings with Richmond (and knowing several people who live/goto college there), LoG's weren't.

Unrelated note, Dio is short.

Haha. It's hilarious to watch that gigantic roaring voice come from a man half the height of everyone else on stage. :D

[Hastyl3]

Anyone else waiting for the sequel, "Global Metal"? He's going into countries where metal bands are banned, it is very looked down upon to be a metalhead an whatnot. Looks to be a great documentary.

[Rev0lver]

Anyone else waiting for the sequel, "Global Metal"? He's going into countries where metal bands are banned, it is very looked down upon to be a metalhead an whatnot. Looks to be a great documentary.

there's countries where metal bands are banned? there's a band called Melechesh from Jerusalem. i didn't think you could get more anti-metal than that.

[Hastyl3]

there's countries where metal bands are banned? there's a band called Melechesh from Jerusalem. i didn't think you could get more anti-metal than that.

Yeah, either banned, it is very looked down upon by parents and other countries are more respectful and whatnot, film debuted already but I guess it hasn't gone into circulation yet.

[Hungryfreak]

Melechesh was banned from Israel, yes (despite being a black metal band that doesn't attack religion).

Behemoth was banned in Poland for a while.

Cannibal Corpse was banned from touring most of Europe and Australia for a while.

[culturedog]

Terrorizer magazine ran a great multi-issue piece a year or so ago about metal in the middle east. There are a number of countries where it is actually illegal to sing metal in public, so bands have to perform instrumentally and get their vocal aggression out through demos only.

I've been waiting for Global Metal too. I help run an annual film festival, and tried to contact Scot McFadyen and/or Sam to find out if it was finished yet, but haven't heard back yet. Originally I heard it was going to be completed in 2007, but I guess that isn't the case...

[Snap017]

My question is why do they cover Punk?

Because at the time, a lot of people confused "Punk" with "NWOBHM" or "New Wave of British Heavy Metal", because during that decade Punk seemed as heavy as Metal.

And i've seen M:AHJ, it was incredibly interesting. If anyone reads anymore and likes Metallica I also suggest checking out Metallica: The Frayed Ends of Metal. Showed me stuff I didn't know.

[AxlVanHagar]

Anyone else waiting for the sequel, "Global Metal"? He's going into countries where metal bands are banned, it is very looked down upon to be a metalhead an whatnot. Looks to be a great documentary.

Yea should be good, though bands that are banned are nothing new. That's been going since the beginning of rock n' roll. I always enjoy that particualr topic however as I'm always interested in censorship and the arguments behind it. Did a thesis in college on censorship.

[AxlVanHagar]

awesome film. i recommend to any and all music fans. the stuff they have with Twisted Sisters singer in front of congress and Tipper Gore is incredible. thats a must see for everyone.

All the stuff from the hearings is great. Dee Snider and Frank Zappa really stuck it to congress there. Some funny stuff from both of them. Dee just cause no one expected him to be intelligent and articulate and Zappa cause he was a master debater.