Metal: A Headbanger's Journey

Sam Dunn is a 30-year-old anthropologist. He's also a lifelong metal fan. After years of studying diverse cultures, Sam turns his academic eye a little closer to home and embarks on an epic journey into the heart of heavy metal. His mission: to figure out why metal music is consistently stereotyped, dismissed and condemned, even while the tribe that loves it stubbornly holds its ground – spreading the word, keeping the faith, and adopting styles and attitudes that go way beyond the music.

Sam visits heavy metal landmarks as far flung as L.A.'s Sunset Strip, the dirty streets of Birmingham, and the dark forests of Norway. Along the way, the two sides of Sam Dunn – curious anthropologist and rabid fan – collide, as Sam explores metal's obsession with sex, religion, violence and death, meets his heroes, and discovers some things about the culture that even he can't defend. Part social document, part celebration of a misunderstood art form, this documentary is the first of its kind: a chance for metal fans to speak out and a window into a culture that's far more complex than it seems.

Theatrical International release dates:
Europe: Apr 28, 06
Japan: Jun 24, 06

Movie Details

Cast: Tony Iommi, Dee Snider, Slayer, Alice Cooper, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Vince Neil, Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, Cannibal Corpse
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 180 min

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DVD Features: - Over 87 minutes of special features including 17 extended interviews - Director's commentary - 20-minute mini-documentary on Norwegian Black Metal - Footage with Lemmy from Motorhead at the Rainbow

International rating:

Australia: M

DVD International release dates:
North America: May 23, 06
Europe: Aug 7, 06