Tag Archives: sam dunn

Film and Television, Pop Culture

Airing Tonight: “Metal Evolution Part 2: Early Metal 1 – US Division”

Leave a comment

Hey my Metal fiends, its once again time to fire up that DVR programming if you plan on going outside somewhere this evening because tonight will be the second chapter in the “Metal Evolution” series that is currently airing on VH1 Classic. I say it like that since I will be hitting the Mastodon show at Terminal 5 in NYC but don’t worry if you are not going to that. I will have a lot of photos and a story for you to enjoy on this very site soon enough. Tonight’s episode focuses on “Early Metal – US Division”.

In This Episode: Metal morning in America begins with the clank of cars and guitars and the burning of draft cards, Detroit Rock City being home to the likes of Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes, The Frost, Iggy & The Stooges and the explosive MC5. (as taken from Wikipedia)

Being an American fan of the genre that crushes I am intrigued to see how they relate a lot of what I grew up loving against some of these earliest influences. Any show that has Uncle Ted Nugent and Iggy Pop in it clearly is on the right track. What do you think?

As there are a number of great films about Metal music and its larger celebrities, I created a code widget in Amazon.com to let you peruse a few solid recommendations. Dig in.

Film and Television, Pop Culture

Airing Tonight: “Metal Evolution Part 1: Pre-Metal”

Leave a comment

Have any of you seen the fantastic documentary “A Headbanger’s Journey” which was a film by Sam Dunn? Man do I hope so because you really should before delving into this brand new multi-part series that begins airing on VH1 Classic tonight. This is truly a fantastic way to appreciate Metal and the as already discussed “National Metal Day”.

In This Episode: Tracing the origins of metal is a phantasmagoric odyssey that traverses cities and countries, oceans and continents. For Sam Dunn, stop #1 on this heavy metal pilgrimage is the birthplace of Metal’s indisputable progenitor: rock ‘n’ roll. (as taken from Wikipedia)

Are you excited about this show? I know I am and figure that before I get to any review commentary that I will wait until a couple of episodes aired. That will save me a little work as there are eleven proposed chapters.

As there are a number of great films about Metal music and its larger celebrities, I created a code widget in Amazon.com to let you peruse a few solid recommendations. Dig in.

Reviews, Videos

“METAL: A Headbanger’s Journey”by Sam Dunn

Leave a comment

Artist: Sam Dunn, Scot McFayden & Jessica Wise
Title: “METAL: A Headbanger’s Journey”
Label: Warner Music Group
Release Date: 5/23/2006
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 9/10

Sam Dunn found his love of Heavy Metal music at the very early age of twelve years old. The message and the power of this music stayed with him through his formative years and into adulthood as he became an Anthropology student. The study of mans evolution led to his deciding to apply the knowledge to explore and investigate the music he loved so much. He felt there was a level of anthropological detail in the way the music began in history and the factors that have kept it alive in the hearts of the fans that support it in legion and the bands that have come from its influence. It was an interesting idea and I admit that I liked the aspect as I glanced over the press copy of the film. Released as a double DVD set, you get the full 96 minute movie and a bonus DVD of a ton of features that make this something worth referencing against your own Metal love. As I watched I was impressed mainly by the level of detail placed within the film and the research done to put it together. Using a Metal history chart, the film is set up where Metal began historically and how it sprouted off into a number of other genres each holding its own unique audience and style. Dunn ties this all together and gives everything a level of coverage even if it is not the style he prefers. The other standout point of the film is that Metal is taken seriously and not presented as idiotic or childish. There are enough programs that belittle the form at every possible chance and it was admirable to see this would not be one of them. Popular music factions of today want you to believe that Metal is dead and you will see by the film and its commentators that this is very far from the truth. At one point of the film Dunn states regarding Metal “you either get it or you don’t”, “if you do then great, but if you don’t we don’t really care nor need you”. A bold but true statement that’s many of the readers will find themselves in agreement of as they revisit their own defenses of their musical preferences.
Continue reading “METAL: A Headbanger’s Journey”by Sam Dunn →