Sam Dunn, a 30-year old anthropologist, takes the viewer on a trip through the culture of heavy metal music on this DVD released by Warner Home Video on May 23, 2006. Mr. Dunn explores this much maligned and misunderstood musical genre and culture not only as an anthropologist; he has been a metal fan since he was 12 years of age in British Columbia, Canada.
The DVD begins by exploring the origins of the genre and attempts to answer the question: "Who was the first heavy metal band?” Geddy Lee of Rush gives a nod to Blue Cheer, a little known, barely remembered trio from the late sixties as being the loudest, rudest, most metallic-sounding band of the time. Lemmy from Motorhead casts a vote for Deep Purple. John Kay, formerly of Steppenwolf, talks about the origins of the term from the song, “Born to be Wild” referencing the thrill of riding a motorcycle. Alice Cooper claims that Rolling Stone magazine first used the term in reference to his band.
Mr. Dunn’s conclusion, along with others like Rob Zombie and Lamb of God, is that Black Sabbath was the first heavy metal band. There is an interview with Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath in which he talks about the "accidental" development of their unique sound. The twin influences of classical music and blues are then discussed by Bob Ezrin, a record producer and Robert Walser, a musicologist from UCLA.
The particular sound of heavy metal is discussed in interviews with Deena Weinstein, a sociologist from DePaul University, who has written extensively about the genre. Bob Ezrin and Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse talk about the use of the tritone or diminished fifth in heavy metal which gives it its unique, menacing sound. It was called “diabolus in musica” ("the Devil's interval") by some from early musical periods such as the baroque period.
There is an interview on the stage of the Hammersmith Odeon with Bruce Dickinson, vocalist for the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band, Iron Maiden. His operatic style of singing is recognized as one of the leading influences on other metal vocalists. He talks about his goal of "shrinking" the venue when the band plays in order to grab the attention of the guy in the last row at the back of the hall.
A segment filmed at the Wacken Open Air Festival which is an annual metal festival held in Wacken, Germany features an interview with a couple of inebriated members of the black metal band, Mayhem and an interview with Ronnie James Dio, frontman for the hugely popular band, Dio. Ronnie talks about the origins of the universal symbol for metal around the world, the "devil's horns," as well as the culture of metal being more like a family than anything else with its "us against the world" mentality. Mr. Dunn recognizes that just like any other culture, heavy metal provides its fans with a sense of belonging.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
Right on, Metal Dad! This is a worthwhile film for metal fans. I wonder if others will try to make intelligent films on this most fascinating genre of music.
It would be interesting to see a film about what bands have progressed and matured, as their fans have aged, over the years, if not decades, and yet stayed thoroughly in the metal genre. What seemed cool when I was a kid often seems passe now that I'm old enough to be a dad to a teenager.
2 - Brian Gould
Well written article, I definately have to check this DVD out myself. I am also a huge Heavy Metal fan, so I would be viewing it as an insider mainly.
If the producer of the film sides with Black Sabbath as the first "true" metal band, I can't argue that point, because it was the first loud guitar orientated rock music made that had zero influence from the Blues. It was that same year, though, that Deep Purple ditched their hippie dippie sound and created another, and equally as monumentally groundbreaking album "In Rock", and Uriah Heep came out with their, not-to-be outdone self titled album. It was their mix of prog and metal that paved the way for Rush and their ilk. 1970 was a great year ! :)