Global Metal

The follow up to Metal: A HeadBangers Journey, Global Metal is rather disappointing.

Its failure lies in trying to compress a global metal scene into a 90 minute feature. It states that its purpose was an anthropological study into the heavy Metal scene globally and how (if at all) it adapts and reinvents itself in each culture. By trying to do this, it reduces its study into snippets and soundbites. Brazil (sepultara), Japan (Marty Friedman (Megadeth) and X-Japan, China (Tang Dynasty), Indonesia, India and Mid East. Imagine cramming all of this into 90minutes.

This would have been better served if it was a multi episode documentary done on A&E or Discovery.

The plus, the music. I admit to listening to metal since my childhood (Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast). Nothing gets the old heart rate up then the a good solid metal gallop. Also the introduction of some bands that we would not normally hear of in this side of the world. (Unfortunately most of the time is spent on bands (western) we all know).

Well worth a watch but don't expect an anthropological study.

Global metal is the second Sam Dunn Heavy Metal documentary. The first, 'Heavy Metal: A Headbanger's Journey' is, so far as I know, the standard documentary covering the Heavy Metal scene. It does an excellent job of both detailing the history of Heavy Metal, and explaining its appeal, but it is focused on explaining Heavy Metal to those who do not know much about it, and because of this, might conceivably have less appeal to hardcore metalheads.

'Global Metal" by contrast, is probably better calculated to bring new information to the attention of experienced Metal fans, but is not a condensation of extensive knowledge about the global metal scene, and it shows. This is not a bad documentary, but as exploration on Dunn's part, and constituting a light survey, it is not quite so informative as the first.

I would further note that this is not a comprehensive documentary on metal throughout the world, but is more a "metal is spreading to exotic places" sort of documentary. This fact is not a criticism, but knowing this is likely to be important to at least some of the people looking up the film on IMDb.

A truly comprehensive film covering the history of metal would necessarily be of epic length, considering that this documentary does not cover the US or European Metal scenes in any significant fashion and yet at 93 minutes, the film does not seem to be especially dilute.

It was all clear, after the roots and influences of metal were told in "Metal - A Headbanger's Journey" the next chapter was about to begin: What happens to Metal if it goes global?

I guess "ambitious" is the best word to describe the second metal documentary of Sam Dunn and Scott McFadyen - it will probably never win an Oscar - but even more hearts of metal fans. I am really thankful for the fact that the two didn't get carried away too much with certain topics. It is very interesting - especially from an anthropological point of view - to see how foreign cultures react to something almost completely western. Metal doesn't incorporate as many commercial aspects as other global trends, it transports different messages which are more genuinely reflected by the fans worldwide. I think the statement of the film is Bruce Dickinsons, who claims that kids all around the world reach a state in their development where they just want to get up, scream and go wild. It think this is the base for this film - it is normal that young people have a lot of compressed energy and anger to let loose. The times of the easter rabbit, santa clause and gnomes is over. They realize that reality is cold and tough - Metal offers them a valve to let release these feelings. It's nothing bad, in fact it should be considered a treatment. Let them go wild.

But in many cultures this behavior is not welcome and mostly not understood. This film tries to explore how kids (and adults) try to be understood and not be linked to extremist thoughts or low lives.

At some points it is explained very well, at some others it unintentionally mixes politics with culture. Although Metal definitely has certain political aspects the messages are interpreted in a very different way around the globe and unfortunately this documentary doesn't fully capture these impacts. The comments of some artists, especially Tom Araya from Slayer are rather dull and prove that some musicians have no idea of the real consequences their fans face in different parts of the world. Is this good or bad? The film leaves these decisions to the viewer...

I for myself really enjoyed this journey and though it has ups and downs it draws a very impressive momentum of a genre that has mostly chosen to go its own way.

This film could be considered as a "sequel" to the film Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. Saying that you must imagine where this film tries to take you, another big travel around the globe to explain Metal Music, his fans, etc. And it results really well, but I must say the final product is not as great as Sam Dunn's first film (Metal: A Headbanger's Journey). You might get kind of bored when you see it, and the reason isn't that the film has mistakes or something like that, the reason is that it's such an enormous sub-culture that the film tries to show you that the film may feel long and with a slow treatment. Once again they show us some aspects a fan may have not seen about the music or the people who hears that. It's not a film you must have to see or to own, but if you are interested into Metal or it's fans around the globe, you won't get disappointed.

Id like to start by saying, that although this film is obviously going to be most enjoyed by fans of Heavy Metal, Don't let never having been in a Mosh Pit stop you from checking out this Grade A work of Documentary film making.

I was lucky enough to win free passes with a friend to see an advanced screening of this film presented by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen days before I was set to see Iron Maiden and Mastodon live. As a big fan of their previous work "Metal: a Headbangers Journey" I had a lot of expectations of this film, but was still pleasantly surprised.

Although as a youth I had been somewhat aware of Metals International heritage due to Bands Like Sepultura and the almost endless TV and movie Jokes about Bands making it in Japan, I was impressed by the truly Global scale of this film. Covering some countries most viewers will know little or nothing about, the Film making duo paints a rich portrait of Metal's global flavor.

The depth of this documentary is impressive, delving into the politics and cultural contexts behind the Metal scenes in many of the countries. This is part of what raises this film above what could otherwise have been just snapshots of a few bands and fans.

On top of it all is the Music, oh the music. After admittedly drifting away from my head-banging youth for the last few years, this film captured the raw energy that got me into Metal in the first place and sent me right back where I belong, into the arms of the Metal Militia.

A must see work for fans of Metal, Documentaries or both.