Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

2005
R
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

13K

YOUR RATING

Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video

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Music Documentary Documentary Music

An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.An examination of the heavy metal music subculture that tries to explain why, despite the longevity and popularity of the genre, fans are marginalized and ridiculed for their passion.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

13K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total

Self
(as Denis 'Piggy' D'Amour)

Pamela Des Barres

Self

Bruce Dickinson

Self

Ronnie James Dio

Self

Malcolm Dome

Self

Rose Dyson

Self

Robert Ezrin

Self
(as Bob Ezrin)

George Fisher

Self
(as George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher)

Gaahl

Self

Directors
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In one of the film's oft repeated moments, Dunn attempts to interview Mayhem's Necrobutcher at a festival, who clearly appears aggravated at the suggestion that black metal is not as popular as it once was. In 2015, Dunn would interview Necrobutcher again for his Metal Evolution series' "Extreme Metal" episode about the same subject, with a considerably more laid-back Necrobutcher admitting that Dunn's point about black metal being "fractured" to a more melodic and a rawer contingent is a valid one.

Goofs
Dunn also mentions the "Filthy 15", a list of artists with lyrics considered obscene in one of a number of ways. Sam mentions that, of the 15, 8 are metal bands- he has miscounted. Upon reviewing the list, Danish black metal band Mercyful Fate make the list but bump the count to 9 bands. They are also not highlighted like the other metal bands sharing spots on the list.

Quotes
Sam Dunn: Ever since I was 12 years old I had to defend my love for heavy metal against those who say it's a less valid form of music. My answer now is that you either feel it or you don't. If metal doesn't give that overwhelming surge of power that make the hair stand up at the back of your neck, you might never get it, and you know what? That's okay, because judging by the 40,000 metalheads around me we're doing just fine without you.

Connections
Features Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986)

Soundtracks
The Number of the Beast
Written by Steve Harris (as Stephen Harris)
Performed by Iron Maiden
Licensed courtesy of EMI Records

User reviews60

Review

Featured review

10/10

A Rock N Roll film that gets it RIGHT!

This was shown during the AFI Festival held in Santa Monica, CA.

Unlike 1988' The Decline II: "The Metal Years" disaster while a big deal at the time, it still remains a brutal "cringe-fest" from start to finish and focused on predominately one style (Glam)one era (The 80s) one location(Sunset Strip) and barely covers the period of Heavy Metal that is STILL alive and well: thrash, black, speed,etc

I would have never guessed that a film about Heavy Metal would take serious the attitudes, styles, individuals,genres and provide a clear history time-line unlike Decline and any others of that ilk.

Don't know when this will come out officially, but hopefully a distributor out there will take notice, even if its headed for the midnight movie circuit.

FEATURED INTERVIEWS: Dio *Iron Maiden * Girlschool * Twisted Sister * Motorhead * Slayer * Rob Zombie* Tony Iommi * Slipknot and more.