Ten Heavy Metal Documentaries
Heavy metal has an intensely loyal fan base. We voraciously devour any output from the bands we love. Liner notes and interviews offer insight into the genre but we always yearn for more. Documentaries can fill that gap. Whether you are into classic, thrash, or death metal, there is a film on this list for every metal fan.
THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART II: THE METAL YEARS
The Decline of Western Civilization famously documented the LA punk scene. By the mid-eighties, heavy metal came to dominate the Sunset Strip. Director Penelope Spheeris captured the new movement in a sequel to her cult film.
A variety of styles fall under the film’s definition of “metal.” Heavier acts like Megadeth are featured alongside glam rockers like Poison. Club acts are given camera time beside industry giants like Ozzy Osbourne and Aerosmith.
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years exposed the consequences of rock star indulgence. Perhaps the most famous scene is W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes drinking vodka in a swimming pool. The interview quickly turned into a cautionary tale against substance abuse.
IRON MAIDEN: BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN
Iron Maiden brought their World Slavery Tour to Eastern Europe in 1984. Given that the Cold War still raged, it was highly unusual for a Western band to penetrate the “Iron Curtain.” Cameras trailed Iron Maiden as they performed in Poland, Hungary, and Yugoslavia. Footage from their exploits was combined with music videos to create a 30 minute VHS/Laser Disc titled Behind the Iron Curtain.
MTV broadcasted a 58-minute version of the documentary in 1984. This expanded edition remained unavailable until the 2008 reissue of Live After Death.
Perhaps the most memorable clip is Iron Maiden performing as a wedding band! A very inebriated band hilariously romps through Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.”
THE PAST AND NOW
The Past and Now also explores heavy metal in the context of east and west tensions. Metalheads living in Eastern Germany describe being cut off from the thriving music scene just west of the Berlin Wall. Heavy metal was consumed through bootlegs that were essentially illegal contraband. After the unification of Germany, East Berlin held its first metal festival. 7000 fans gathered to witness Coroner, Sabbat, Tankard, and Kreator.
HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT
Two aspiring filmmakers turned cameras on tailgating fans outside of a 1986 Judas Priest concert. They captured a hilarious snapshot of hesher culture in all its drunken glory. Even without a distribution deal, bootleg VHS tapes transformed this 16-minute gem into a cult classic.
GET THRASHED
As Judas Priest was touring arenas, an underground metal movement was gaining momentum. Get Thrashed explores the rise of thrash metal. Vintage photos and interviews recreate the rise of thrash metal from an indie scene to a global phenomenon.
A YEAR AND A HALF IN THE LIFE OF METALLICA
Metallica moved beyond thrash and into mainstream culture. A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica documents the album that made them a household name. Part One captured the band in the studio as they recorded the self-titled “Black Album.” Part Two focused on the subsequent tour. Originally released as a double VHS set, a single DVD now holds the complete documentary.
DEATH BY METAL
Some music is meant to stay underground. Death by Metal chronicles the career of death metal pioneer Chuck Schuldiner. Founder of the groundbreaking band Death, this documentary interviews band members, friends, and family to paint a narrative of his influential career. To fans of extreme metal, Chuck is nothing short of a legend. Death by Metal is a fitting summary of his legacy.
ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL
Anvil was poised for success in the eighties. Albums like Metal on Metal and Forged in Fire led to a festival appearance beside acts like Bon Jovi and Whitesnake. Rather than attain the success of these rock giants, Anvil faded into obscurity.
The thing was…Anvil never REALLY went away. The band continued writing, recording, and playing gigs, patiently waiting for a breakthrough that would never arrive. Anvil: The Story of Anvil caught up with the band in their hometown. Cameras capture menial jobs, a disastrous European tour, and the recording of This Is Thirteen. Ultimately, The Story Of Anvil is a heartwarming tale of persistence that led to renewed interest in the small Canadian band.
LEMMY
Subtitled “49% motherfucker. 51% son of a bitch,” filmmakers simply titled their documentary of rock’s greatest badass Lemmy. The name instantly conjures images of the wart-cheeked Motorhead front man. Since his passing in 2015, Lemmy has become a treasured glimpse into the life of a beloved icon.
IRON MAIDEN: FLIGHT 666
In 2008, Iron Maiden set out to recreate the World Slavery Tour. Dubbed the “Somewhere Back in Time Tour,” the itinerary was substantially different from the original 1984 trek. Instead of a traditional tour bus, Maiden traversed multiple continents in their own Boeing 747. Piloted by singer Bruce Dickinson, “Ed Force One” allowed the band to play countries that were too costly to play through normal travel arrangements. The unprecedented outing proved that Iron Maiden is a truly global band.
