METAL: A HEADBANGER'S JOURNEY (SEVILLE PICTURES, 2005)

By Rick Jackson

Written and directed by Sam Dunn, Scott McFayden and Jessica Joy Wise, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey is an illuminating and informative documentary about metal music.

It not only covers a history of this musical genre but discusses its relevance and popularity from its earliest beginnings to the present. Whether or not you're a fan of heavy metal, it has a loyal following. Fans of this genre are, perhaps, more passionate than other kinds of music, but this point can be argued and debated for long hours.

Interviewing key figures such as Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and many others, it is presented in several sections beginning with the roots of heavy metal with Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin,Deep Purple, Geddy Lee (Rush), and John Kay.

Black Sabbath is singled out as the first heavy metal band by Iommi who explains their "tri-tone sound," and metal music's musical roots going back to classical composers such as Bach and Wagner whose orchestrations have provided the dark, heavy background that has been amplified. You may also be surprised to learn of their musical history in the blues or what Iommi calls "oppressed music." I didn't know Black Sabbath was a blues band in its conception.

The musicians who comprise heavy metal bands come from mostly poor sections of towns and cities. Individually, each seems themselves as being angry young musicians because they are longing to be heard and understood.

The lyrics they each sing about defines the individual musician on a personal level where it can conceivably be inspired by simply playing licks on your guitar.

In the section, Environmentalist, it mentions an "alternative universe" which Iommi says is part of the outsider or loner who is trying to be heard.

The elements of the heavy metal genre begin more with the way they dress. The black leather and silver threads make it possible for the musician to feel his way where evil and freedom co-exist on a larger plane kept alive by a dedicated core of fans.

Tattoos are worn as part of their appearance for both the musicians and hard core fanatics see this as a common denominator that unites them in a brotherhood where they feel they can communicate and, thereby, understand each other and the world they live in.

The sub-genres of heavy metal, such as power and glam, are mentioned and there is an interview with Metal Mayhem.

What many non-fans of heavy metal may find interesting is the section discussing the controversy that exists, especially censorship.

The genre's connection to religion comes up when Twisted Sister's lyrics come up since they can be best understood by looking at them in a didactic way.

What becomes apparent quickly while watching this documentary are the themes of the genre: hedonism, death and sexuality. Once male dominated and aggressive, its impact can also be discerned among the bevy of female heavy metal bands like Doro and Kittie.

Returning to its relationship to religion, especially satanism, writer Gavin Baddely says the sound of Black Sabbath is related to symbols, i.e. the pentagon, which helps define a certain band with a certain sound.

Slayer is mentioned as a progenitor of thrash metal which, in turn, is a reflection of society.

Yet with the all its darkness and impending religious motifs, Venom, Slayer and others related to their brand of heavy metal are surprisingly labelled as "cool."

Before ending their journey, the filmmakers look at Norway where Satanic heavy metal is a big cultural export and the Norwegian black market.

Rev. Wolf Rasmussen talks about certain incidents where anyone defying heavy metal openly in public has been punished by the aggressive and sick behaviour of certain fans who feel they need to destroy public property to make their point.

The establishment feels this destruction breaks down Christianity while fueling hard rock music. Their fans are expressing themselves as part of an elitist religion, although its unclear if the fans actually do.

The point is made that heavy metal fans comprise "a culture of outsiders." Their obsession with mortality and death unite them since they are singing about their position in society and how they each grasp a certain understanding whether or not you agree with it.

They are the voices of a genre whose collective thoughts are linked by the knowledge they can help themselves and others through the different amalgam of sounds, gyrations and lyrics.

By the time the end credits roll, it is quite evident this has all become an objective experience and all of it brings into focus a genre of music that you may well increase your understanding of it. However, it doesn't change this film critic's opinion about the genre as nothing but noise for the most part. At the same time, one must admit that it fills a void for those who need it. Besides, I do like some of the songs by Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin among others. After seeing Heavy Metal: A Headbanger's Journey it will be entirely up to you how you perceive and understand it.

March 11, 2006

Copyright 2006 Rick Jackson