September 15, 2012 by A.S. Van Dorston

In 2011, Banger films released the most complete history of heavy metal on film yet on the “Metal Evolution” series. Headbanger/anthropologist Sam Dunn (M.A. from York University), who did Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (2005), traveled around the world tackling 40 sub-genres of metal in 11 episodes. It was a huge success, reaching #1 for VH1 Classic (the network’s prime time ratings grew 33% this year) in the U.S. and networks around the world, including metal-lovin’ countries like Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil and even India. Yet that success wasn’t enough for the networks to greenlight a 12th episode on extreme metal, despite the outcry from the international metal communities. Networks are afraid to air a documentary about death, grindcore and black metal, yet they have no problems showing the lowest depths of human stupidity and depravity on reality shows? Hillbilly Handfishing? Gigolos? 16 And Retarded (or Pregnant, same diff)?? Are you F**KING kidding me??? That is the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard. VH1’s own “Big Ang,” “Ev & Ocho,” “T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle,” “Basketball Wives: LA” and “Rehab With Dr. Drew” probably have more objectionable material in 15 minutes than the whole Metal Evolution series, not to mention upcoming Behind The Music episodes on Nicole Scherzinger and P!nk. Hey vH1 (212-258-7800), these guys made you some money. Kick some back and let them cover what many fans consider as the only metal genre that matters currently. For crying out loud. And while you’re at it, put a proper release out of the series on DVD/Blu Ray. Currently it’s only made on-demand on buggy DVD-R, probably on Dunn’s laptop.

I won’t discourage those who want to support the project. You can contribute to the campaign at Indiegogo, but while you’re at it, let VH1(212-258-7800) know they should at least match the funding if they don’t want to look like complete dickheads. If it succeeds, great, then maybe they could do a 13th episode on desert/stoner/psych/doom/sludge! Probably will never happen, but you can at least see Joerg Steineck’s Lo Sound Desert once it’s completed.