San Francisco International Film Festival 20 April - 04 May 2006

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In this intelligent, humorous and affectionate documentary, narrator, codirector and serious headbanger Sam Dunn creates a compact and ingenious framework for tracing the history of heavy metal music, its myriad forms and fans and his own passionate involvement in the scene. Neophytes and disciples alike will be fascinated by Dunn’s elaborate chart, unveiled at the beginning of the film, which delineates the various types of metal music—power metal, glam metal, stoner metal, thrash metal and more—and identifies the bands belonging to each category. From this brief and entertaining history lesson, the film then globe-trots to a bacchanalian music festival in Germany and on to a slightly creepier investigation into the Norwegian death metal scene, seamlessly mingling interviews with a multitude of musicians and fans along the way and featuring a laundry list of metal groups including Black Sabbath, Lamb of God, Gorgoroth, Motley Crüe and Korn. In one of many additional excursions, members of Girlschool, Arch Enemy and Kittie weigh in with their thoughts on the dearth of female performers and musicians. Other highlights include: the diminutive Ronnie James Dio talking about how he invented the “devil horns” sign; Dee Snider of Twisted Sister discussing Tipper Gore and homoeroticism; Alice Cooper reflecting on Norwegian black metal as “so Spinal Tap”; and Pamela Des Barres pontificating on (what else?) groupies. Ultimately, Dunn is able to dispel metal music’s stigma as the bastard stepchild of the airwaves and to make an undeniable case for its devotees to be treated and evaluated with the esteem they deserve.

—Rod Armstrong

Copyright © 2006 San Francisco Film Society