Search - Heavy Metal - Louder Than Life on DVD

Good at some points, disappointing in others

P. Lazzarotto | 03/03/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Not considering the content, this documentary has one design defect, which is not presenting labels between the chapters. In one scene, it's talking about vocals in Heavy Metal....and in another, changes to drums, or other topic, without any further explanation. Of course one can understand what is been talking about, but a bit of organization of the content would be welcome.
Now talking about the content: the documentary has great moments, especially at first half, which discuss the origins of heavy metal (the pro-metal bands of 60's and 70's, and the further development of heavy metal in 80's). But, with rare exceptions, it's focused just in the heavy metal of United States and U.K, as the rest of the world didn't exist. The storyline considered that the heavy metal in 80's was represented by trash metal in U.S (and few considerations about death metal). Further, it's explained that in beginning of the 90's, the great force of metal was Pantera. Ok, I agree that Pantera was a great band, but there was some overreacting. After, the reputation of the documentary is put on the ground: it considerer that KORN (yes, believe me, KORN!!!) were the great heroes and innovators of heavy metal in 90's! And it didn't stop, Slipknot is considered a great band too, with comments that really pissed me off, like: "They get various influences, from trash, death, black, hip-hop, and get the "best" (believe me....he used this word) from it at their music". The "noise" that this band does can barely be considered METAL...but considerer that what they do is the "best" of many glorious styles is a big heresy....
It's difficult to understand why many good and influent bands (like Kreator, Destruction, Mercyful Fate, Sepultura, Death, Dimmu Borgir, among many others) are not even cited, while those garbage bands like Korn and Slipknot are raised to status of "Metal God's". This is the main reason to the low rate of my review.
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Good little movie, entertaining cast of Metalheads

Concerned One | Clarinda, IA | 03/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good documentary of the origins and the development of what has become to be known as heavy metal. This has a ton of first hand interviews with Geezer Butler, Dave Mustaine, Dio, Steven Pearcy, Dee Schneider, Scott Ian and others... The list goes on. They tell some of their stories, confirm some of the legends, and give thier opinions on why Metal is here, and why it's going to stay. This does not give a great timeline, nor a history of Metal, just a rough family tree, but not as much of an in depth look at the different genres like "metal: a headbangers journey". Between this film and "Metal", rock fans can become enlightened about their music they are listening too. Worth a rent or a buy."

Get It!

Cathleen Azzinaro | Baltimore, MD USA | 01/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Get it! Buy it! Hell, steal it! This is great material for any lover of HM and what makes it tick. Dee Snider at his best, and a host of metal icons keep it true. Prepare to revel in the music of your heart. Cat"

Mediocre Documentary on under-analyzed genre.

James Simpson | USA | 01/27/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Not nearly as comprehensive as I had hoped,this book attempts to trace the history of the genre from it's inception in the late 60s through the modern day.
Alot of cool people are interviewed like Dio,Dee Snider,Dave Mustaine,Geezer Butler among others,but the information falls flat often.
The film has a difficult time defining the difference between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal,and misses many interesting bands to focus on newer acts like Korn and Slipknot,in an obvious stab at the youth market.
It never really works fully and many important eras like Thrash and the entire area of Power and Prog are eliminated.
Some music video clips,which are welcome,but it all feels somewhat hobbled together.
The result is rather glaring,too,considering the in depth examination offered on the superior,"Metal:A Headbanger's Journey" documentary.
Sadly,even the take of the genre presented on VH1 was more enteratining.

Die hards may want to give this a glance,all others can feel free to skip.
"