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Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

  • 2005
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
9 Photos
Music DocumentaryDocumentaryMusic

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.

  • Directors
    • Sam Dunn
    • Scot McFadyen
    • Jessica Joy Wise
  • Writers
    • Sam Dunn
    • Scot McFadyen
    • Jessica Joy Wise
  • Stars
    • Tom Araya
    • Gavin Baddeley
    • Blasphemer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Sam Dunn
      • Scot McFadyen
      • Jessica Joy Wise
    • Writers
      • Sam Dunn
      • Scot McFadyen
      • Jessica Joy Wise
    • Stars
      • Tom Araya
      • Gavin Baddeley
      • Blasphemer
    • 60User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
    Trailer 1:40
    Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

    Photos8

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    Top cast69

    Edit
    Tom Araya
    Tom Araya
    • Self
    Gavin Baddeley
    Gavin Baddeley
    • Self
    Blasphemer
    • Self
    Randy Blythe
    Randy Blythe
    • Self
    Joe Bottiglieri
    • Self
    Eric Bryan
    • Self
    Jackie Chambers
    • Self
    Monte Conner
    • Self
    Alice Cooper
    Alice Cooper
    • Self
    Denis D'Amour
    • Self
    • (as Denis 'Piggy' D'Amour)
    Pamela Des Barres
    Pamela Des Barres
    • Self
    Bruce Dickinson
    Bruce Dickinson
    • Self
    Ronnie James Dio
    Ronnie James Dio
    • Self
    Malcolm Dome
    • Self
    Rose Dyson
    • Self
    Robert Ezrin
    Robert Ezrin
    • Self
    • (as Bob Ezrin)
    George Fisher
    George Fisher
    • Self
    • (as George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher)
    Gaahl
    • Self
    • Directors
      • Sam Dunn
      • Scot McFadyen
      • Jessica Joy Wise
    • Writers
      • Sam Dunn
      • Scot McFadyen
      • Jessica Joy Wise
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews60

    8.012.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7varathron1

    Metal as a lifestyle and not a passing trend

    Metal: A head banger's journey

    When this documentary starts showing at the multiplexes, it will be the biggest exposure this musical genre would have gotten thus far, aside from a few ridiculous lawsuits that went public throughout the years. The concept itself that mainstream audiences will be learning of everything from Dio's unique opinions on things to Norwegian Black Metal is quite appalling. More importantly, hopefully this documentary will clear once and for all every false doubt and misconception that Metal has always portrayed to the misinformed.

    A head banger's journey starts off by examining Metal's roots, the long debate in regards to who was the first Metal band ever. Then, we are taken through an analysis of how metal sub-genres came to exist. Dunn also gives his thoughts about Metal's culture, viewpoints, religious standpoints, the fans and every other aspect of metal. Some of the veterans of the scene as well as some insightful outsiders give their interesting opinions to support the argument at hand. The film balances the serious aspects of Metal with some unintentional humor. Personalities like Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson, Alex Webster, Slipknot, Ghaal, Dee Snider, Doro, Ihsahn and many others offer their own individual thoughts in an intellectual way while bands like Mayhem make a fool out of themselves during a drunken interview.

    Dunn is a true metal head. It is his passion, yet he gives a critical and sometimes subjective opinion of the music at hand. The documentary is extremely entertaining and informative. It made me proud to be a metal head. It even made me give bands I'm not too fond of another chance. Bottom line is, if you're a Metal fan you'll enjoy this from beginning to end. If you're a curious outsider, here's your chance to understand our world better and get a more defined opinion of our music. And even if you don't, well to quote Dunn at the end: "We're doing just fine without you…"
    7Playbahnosh

    A decent documentary, but a little superficial

    I surprisingly found this DVD hidden in dark and secluded section of a local DVD store, mostly reserved for B grade flicks, art and indie material. Me being a metal-head myself, was thrilled about watching a documentary that digs into the world's most controversial and "forbidden" style of music/art/life. The experience was a little odd.

    The first few seconds into the film, when the all familiar intro of Number of the Beast began, with the clips of metal-heads on screen, I shivered, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I felt something very rare, I felt "I'm at home, baby!" \m/ I won't go ramble on about the things everyone knows. Yes, this film is awesome. It has that rare atmosphere, that only a true metal-head could create, like Sam Dunn. If you are a true rocker, you'll feel in sync with the guy, you'll know what he is talking about and why, but if you aren't into metal, you'll have a hard time understanding some of the meaning.

    My biggest problem with this doc, is the same as the others: it's too superficial. For me, it's too much about satanism, gore and torching of churches. For me, metal is not about that. Metal is a form of expression, a way of life. I wanted to see more about metal from around the world.

    For an anthropologist, Dunn is far too concerned about the different styles of back and death metal, rather than reviewing metal as a phenomenon and culture around the world. He focuses on the US and Norway, but that is just a little piece of the big picture. What about the rest of Europe? What about eastern metal or other regions of the world? What about the other genres of metal? I wanted to hear more about the different genres, the history and pioneers of each of them...etc, how those evolved and transformed over the years, and who are the artists that made it happen.

    In a nutshell, it's too one-sided, too narrow perspective. I know it's only 90 minutes, but it could've been done. Okay, I'm maybe splitting hairs here. I agree, it's a decent documentary, and for such an (pardon the term) amateur team, it's a very good film about metal, but it left me with a nagging feeling of "something's missing", it's somehow not complete, and I guess that's what most people are feeling about this documentary. The interviews are very well done, but with the wrong people. I wanted to hear more big names, more name bands and real pioneers of metal. I know the film is very low-budget, and they probably couldn't pay for an interview with Ozzy, Lars, Joacim Cans or even Serj Tankian, but I really miss those bits from a documentary about metal. Other than that, its a pleasant experience, and I recommend it for every metal-head and non-metal-head out there.
    8ecatalan98

    Where is "Thrash Metal"?!?!

    METAL: A HEADBANGER'S JOURNEY is probably the best documentary EVER on the Heavy Metal scene. It encompasses virtually all of metal sub-genres like Hard Rock, Glam, Black, Power (although I have trouble with defining this sub genre in particular), death, prog and thrash. The film's mastermind, 31 year old Sam Dunn, does an excellent job dissecting the genre, from its classical and blues origins, to why the Scandinavian black metal scene is so evil. He even goes out of his way to set up a genealogical tree for metal! For the metal fan who enjoys or enjoyed some of the metal sub genres presented here, he/she will be full of ecstasy and for the uninitiated, this is a good place to start. Interviews with SLAYER, MOTLEY CRUE, EMPEROR, IRON MAIDEN, MAYHEM, DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RUSH, SLIPKNOT, KORN, ARCH ENEMY, TWISTED SISTER, etc. will only leave you wanting for more and more. There's a nice flow to the documentary and, in my humble opinion, wasn't bored in the least.

    What I didn't like too much was the fact that Sam Dunn barely talks about thrash metal. Yeah, he mentions METALLICA, MEGADETH, and there's the SLAYER interview, but this sub genre is the one that gets least mentioned (taking into account today's biggest metal band, METALLICA, arose from the thrash movement).On the other hand, black metal and death metal receive more film time. Maybe Sam Dunn wanted to leave the thrash part less explored due to the upcoming thrash documentary, "GET THRASHED", which has been in the making for at least 4 years.

    Minor complaints aside, this documentary rocks and if you're a fan of the genre you'll do no wrong in getting this essential film in your DVD library. Thrash on!!!
    8rhicik-1

    Color me impressed

    I saw the film today and was mighty impressed. The film captured the buzz in the '80s when heavy metal became the biggest thing going. It was good to see Iron Maiden and Judas Priest contrasted to current bands such as Slipknot to show how the spirit of the genre is thriving. Tony Iommi, Dee Snider and Ronnie James Dio all give standout interviews with Dio's digs at Gene Simmons being especially revealing. It was also great to see '80s curiosities Accept and Quebec's own Voivod being represented. The segment contrasting the grunting, leather-clad bands such as Man O War with the lace-wearing bands such as Poison and Cinderella was unexpected and fascinating. Showing the closeted Rob Halford performing in full cruising gear for a rabid hetero audience was quite poignant. I especially like how the film stresses how the music let its fans dream, cope and find solace. Those like myself, whose interest in metal may have flagged in the intervening years would do well to view it and remind themselves what all of the fuss was about.
    8biodagar

    Highly recommended. Well-wrought documentary.

    I agree with the previous comment.

    I saw this movie at an outdoor summer screening in a local park, and it was brilliant to hear the sounds of the metal we know and love pounding out through the park on a Sunday night.

    The film was a considered, thoughtful journey through some of the questions that plague the minds of those who aren't part of the metal community. Such as what the fans are like, how they get into metal, why they stay with metal and rarely stray from the various genres that it has. Others include sexuality, girls in metal, and so on.

    Each aspect of the documentary was soundly explored, rationally argued, and balanced. For instance, on the one hand you get the perspective of groupies, and then of groupies from bands. You get differing opinions.

    In fact, the documentary is a boon for both the metal community and the non-metal community alike. On the one hand, the mettles can revel in the exploration of their community and genres; on the other, the wider community can gain some real insight into the workings of the community.

    I must admit that some of the humour that our (predominantly metal) audience felt at the posturing of the Norwegian Black Metal scene, and other parts, the rest of the audience didn't necessarily get. The humour is often something which you must be part of the community to understand, which is why it all appears so serious to the rest of society: they don't get the humour.

    All in all, a well-wrought, skillfully crafted, and well argued documentary. Of course there were subgenres and things missing, but you get that with all docos - there just isn't the time to do it. Given the limitations, Metal: a headbanger's journey, makes the most of it and does it well.

    Highly recommended viewing.

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    Music

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 21, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Подорож металіста
    • Filming locations
      • Canada
    • Production companies
      • Seville Pictures
      • Banger Productions
      • 235 Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,095
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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