Although it was interesting I ended up fast forwarding most of it because I was hoping to see more of the bands backstage on stage but it was mostly about groups of fans attending the shows.
6 Reviews
head-banging
ferguson-611 March 2021
Greetings again from the darkness. "Rock 'n Roll is dead." It's a proclamation that many have attempted to push for the past 50 plus years. We know that during these past decades, many other music genres have had their runs: folk, reggae, pop, punk, disco, country, techno, hip-hop. But director Jonathan McHugh shows us that head-banging is still alive ... and more importantly, he explains why.
For those unfamiliar, this serves as an overview of heavy metal music. McHugh allows those involved to speak their minds. This includes musicians, DJs, promoters, security workers, and especially fans. I won't list all of the interviewees, but they are legitimate and include bands such as Korn, Metallica, Slipknot, Halestorm, Rob Zombie, Guns 'n Roses, Live, Machine Gun Kelly, Greta Van Fleet, and Alice in Chains. The insight from the musicians is quite interesting and thoughtful, though it's the fan segments that really hit home.
The euphoria of crowd surfing (even in a wheelchair), the energy (and rules) of a mosh pit, and the cringe-worthiness of a "Wall of Death" (compared to the BRAVEHEART battle scene) all feed into what's best described as a community of superfans. These folks use the festivals as an escape, and the solidarity of these outsiders is quite something to behold. Their words convey their appreciation for the communal experience of the big shows, and just how important the festivals are as a release of stress from everyday life.
Traditionally, heavy metal has been male dominated and even labeled as "satanic" music, but the film does a nice job of showcasing some of the female artists who are now popular and their impact on drawing more female fans to the events. Gender and race are discussed, and examples provided on how the divisions no longer exist - the festivals draw a cross-section of society from professionals (a dentist and nurse are featured) to working class to those who have been reformed. The music created a rare bond between an ex-convict and his prison guard.
Of course, it's not all one big love fest. There is much discussion of alcohol, drugs, and addiction. The musicians admit that fans are always trying to give free drugs to rock stars, or buy them a drink. It's yet another way to connect, only it can be destructive. The 2017 deaths of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park are noted. Their deaths occurred only 2 months apart and had a dramatic impact within the community - especially following the 2015 death of Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver). Director McHugh is a frequent movie Producer and cinematic Music Supervisor presents many facets of heavy metal, and does so in a way to show the importance of the community to its superfans. Love live rock, indeed.
Virtual Cinemas on March 12, 2021
For those unfamiliar, this serves as an overview of heavy metal music. McHugh allows those involved to speak their minds. This includes musicians, DJs, promoters, security workers, and especially fans. I won't list all of the interviewees, but they are legitimate and include bands such as Korn, Metallica, Slipknot, Halestorm, Rob Zombie, Guns 'n Roses, Live, Machine Gun Kelly, Greta Van Fleet, and Alice in Chains. The insight from the musicians is quite interesting and thoughtful, though it's the fan segments that really hit home.
The euphoria of crowd surfing (even in a wheelchair), the energy (and rules) of a mosh pit, and the cringe-worthiness of a "Wall of Death" (compared to the BRAVEHEART battle scene) all feed into what's best described as a community of superfans. These folks use the festivals as an escape, and the solidarity of these outsiders is quite something to behold. Their words convey their appreciation for the communal experience of the big shows, and just how important the festivals are as a release of stress from everyday life.
Traditionally, heavy metal has been male dominated and even labeled as "satanic" music, but the film does a nice job of showcasing some of the female artists who are now popular and their impact on drawing more female fans to the events. Gender and race are discussed, and examples provided on how the divisions no longer exist - the festivals draw a cross-section of society from professionals (a dentist and nurse are featured) to working class to those who have been reformed. The music created a rare bond between an ex-convict and his prison guard.
Of course, it's not all one big love fest. There is much discussion of alcohol, drugs, and addiction. The musicians admit that fans are always trying to give free drugs to rock stars, or buy them a drink. It's yet another way to connect, only it can be destructive. The 2017 deaths of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park are noted. Their deaths occurred only 2 months apart and had a dramatic impact within the community - especially following the 2015 death of Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver). Director McHugh is a frequent movie Producer and cinematic Music Supervisor presents many facets of heavy metal, and does so in a way to show the importance of the community to its superfans. Love live rock, indeed.
Virtual Cinemas on March 12, 2021
Solid documentary.
jordandavidfischer3 May 2021
But the one weird thing I noticed is that some of the stories told by fans actually just the one told by the guy with all the tattoos, he didn't mention music in his story until about 5 minutes from the end, I thought his story was entirely random until like he just added like twominutes before it ended that he listens to music.
Pandering to the camera
mrcameronrose21 April 2022
This had potential to be good but it just falls flat. It is about rock as a community. It is so obvious that the people in it are pandering to the camera and not being their true selves.
The music in the movie is great if you love rock and metal music but the subjects pandering, make it unwatchable. It feels as if the movie was rushed to be put together, because this is so obvious. The lady who blasts music with her kids in the car, is just brutal. Juggalos interviewed in other movies, feel more authentic.
I came in excited to see Andy BIersack, and Linkin Park and walked away wanting my hour and a half back Do not watch this for your favorite musician. Heck, do not watch this.
The music in the movie is great if you love rock and metal music but the subjects pandering, make it unwatchable. It feels as if the movie was rushed to be put together, because this is so obvious. The lady who blasts music with her kids in the car, is just brutal. Juggalos interviewed in other movies, feel more authentic.
I came in excited to see Andy BIersack, and Linkin Park and walked away wanting my hour and a half back Do not watch this for your favorite musician. Heck, do not watch this.
High Energy, High Octane Love Letter to Rock & Roll
SeanMcHugh2420 March 2021
Fantastic and quick doc about a subculture that doesn't get enough credit! Loved hearing first hand from all the rockstars and seeing those massive crowd shots. Made me miss concerts even more and can't wait to be back at shows.
No Such Thing As Rap On! No Such Thing As Reggae On And Definitely No Such Thing As Rumba On! There Is Only One Kind Of Music That Keeps Going ON Stronger And Stronger!
silicontourist11 October 2021
For those about to Rock...>>>...ROCK ON!
It was good that it was made more from the Rock Fan point of view; as it was/is their message of why Rock Music (and all its subsidiary styles, Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash, Glam, Goth etc. Etc) has and never will die! A good mix of Rock fans of all types of people, including very religious individuals who obviously disagree completely with it being the Devils Music :) I have a lot of varied music that I like in my very large collection of Vinyl Records albums, singles and EP's as well as my CD digital disc music. I would say that 50% of my collection is ROCK music, 35% is my big Soul vinyl music collection of originals and rare records (I started out as a DJ and have been a collector for 0ver 50 years) while the rest is Blues, Reggae, Jazz, R&B (but not the trash that is passed off as Rhythm & Blues today) and a odd bit here and there that I call world mix...like American Indian music etc. None - and never will it be so - of the music for thugs (and if there was another way to describe it without insulting the use of the word music, I would) that CRAP they call RAP! Some Hip-Hop was hip and some House Music was cool stuff but RAP...not in a million years for me (it won't even get to the 50 year anniversary mark because its so Rap a Pap Crap!).
There's a good reason why the term "Rock A Bye Baby" is used and not "Rap A Bye Baby"...lmao.
It was good that it was made more from the Rock Fan point of view; as it was/is their message of why Rock Music (and all its subsidiary styles, Metal, Heavy Metal, Thrash, Glam, Goth etc. Etc) has and never will die! A good mix of Rock fans of all types of people, including very religious individuals who obviously disagree completely with it being the Devils Music :) I have a lot of varied music that I like in my very large collection of Vinyl Records albums, singles and EP's as well as my CD digital disc music. I would say that 50% of my collection is ROCK music, 35% is my big Soul vinyl music collection of originals and rare records (I started out as a DJ and have been a collector for 0ver 50 years) while the rest is Blues, Reggae, Jazz, R&B (but not the trash that is passed off as Rhythm & Blues today) and a odd bit here and there that I call world mix...like American Indian music etc. None - and never will it be so - of the music for thugs (and if there was another way to describe it without insulting the use of the word music, I would) that CRAP they call RAP! Some Hip-Hop was hip and some House Music was cool stuff but RAP...not in a million years for me (it won't even get to the 50 year anniversary mark because its so Rap a Pap Crap!).
There's a good reason why the term "Rock A Bye Baby" is used and not "Rap A Bye Baby"...lmao.
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