Metal - A Headbanger's Journey Reviews

Calling all metalheads!

This is an excellent account of what makes (heavy) metal so vital to millions of people around the world. It is not some 'token' documentary, but told from the point of view of a true, lifelong metal fan whose passion and belief is prevalent throughout. There are bags of excellent interviews with leading figures of the scene, and it also manages to cover every derivative - from hard alternative through to black Norwegian metal - without becoming muddled.

As a lifelong (almost!) 30 year old metal fan myself, even I learned plenty about the genre and its followings. Excellently put together, with some brilliant graphics, which is used to plot parallels and the 'family tree' of sub-genres.

Metal Ahoy!

This is an absolute must for anyone who considers themselves vaguely attached to the world of rock/metal, or for anyone who has a passing interest in the psychology behind the music. Not only are there the expected interviews with various heavy metal legends such as Ronnie James Dio, James 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher, and Dimebag Darrell, there is input from various sociologists and psychologists around the world. I was particularly interested by the delving into the controversial Norwegian black metal scene and the church burnings of '92. All in all, a very good watch, made even better if you are into the music.

One for all us aging rockers

If you 're in your mid-thirties and loved metal, you'll get a chance to relive your youth. If you're a nu-metaller you'll get a chance to see a bit of background. If you didn't like metal you won't understand it....

You are my people, this is my crowd!

I'm not sure who this is aimed at. Metalheads already know all the stuff covered in this film, and non-metalheads probably won't care.

Despite this, it was a thoroughly enjoyable film. It’s great to be told that you are one of the ‘chosen people’, even if you knew that already! It’s a bit like the feeling you get when you go to a festival. Seeing thousands of people who love the same thing as you is a real feel good factor and makes you feel part of something bigger than you are. I particularly enjoyed Dee Snider kicking Tipper Gore’s arse and was screaming “IN YOUR @£!*&! FACE” at the screen! Yeah, childish but satisfying.

If you are not into metal, will you like this film? Don’t know, but it might just make you realise that most metal fans are normal, decent, intelligent people. If you don’t know this already, and are struggling to understand why your boyfriend / child / neighbour / colleague loves metal then watch this and maybe you’ll start to understand. Just don’t judge us all by the Norweigians…..

GREAT METAL DOC SHOCK!!!

This has it all. A self-confessed metal fiend goes in search of the roots of metal and what it is that this diverse genre of music conveys in order to keep it fresh and relevant after many other fads have passed. It's pretty well made, if a little one sided, but some of the characters you meet along the way will stay with you long after you've finished watching...though in some cases, thats not necessarily a good thing!! Good insight for the curious, but just plain entertaining. Some great concert footage, fantastic music and very colourful individuals. Well worth a look.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Not comprehensive enough

This documentary makes some good sociological points but mainly focusses on the 'traditional' heavy metal and extreme 'death' and 'thrash' bands, many of which fit into the embarrasing stereotypes that make metal a laughing stock in the eyes of the meainstream media. The more credible and accessible 'alternative' bands are only mentioned once in passing, yet these bands are the ones who have the creativity to try something different, rather than plodding along with a one-dimensional sound. At least Rage Against the Machine had some coverage, but no Faith No More and nothing about the 'Grunge' genre that was so big in the 1990s!!

WATCH! WATCH! WATCH!

For all people who never got 'the Rock Thing' this is a look at the world of METAL and why we love it so much... No other programme I have ever seen sums it up... with views from the Bands, Journalists and of course the FANS.

A great wlk through the diff generes of metal and the History to date well worth a watch......

Not As Exciting As It's Subject Matter

A good film if you're interested in the subject matter, which I am, but it didn't have a 'wow factor'.

Watchable

As documentaries go this was very good. Informative and well researched.

Don't order disc 2 though as this is just the usual disc 2 you get with most films - extra's etc.

Not bad

Enjoyable enough, but only if you like metal, those Norwegian black metalers are grade A morons though!