I just got back from the movies with Cam and quick shop at JB HiFi. We saw Metal: A Headbangers Journey which I thought was pretty cool. It's basically a documentary about heavy metal, it's origins, the culture and how it is perceived by society. I found it interesting and decent, but unless you've got a thing for metal it's probably not your sort of thing. It's only showing at the Dendy on George Street so also need a bit of effort and botheredness to actually go watch it. I found it interesting the origins of metal started with Black Sabbath mainly because they were the first band to play the tritone (devil's note). The interviews in the movie were short and to the point and covered lots of musicians and genres from Twisted Sister to Slayer to Iron Maiden to Dio to Cannibal Corpse to Arch Enemy.

Highlights would have to be the interview with Mayhem at Wacken Open Air Festival. Mayhem's previous vocalist blew out his brains with a shotgun and was found by his fellow band member, who before notifying the police, took a photo of the mess for the bands next album cover. The band transformed pieces of his skull into necklaces that they still wear today. Mayhem were wasted when interviewed and when asked a question about what do they think about people who say they suck or something similar, the lead singer replied, "Who? Where, FUCK THEM, we'll fuck them up, FUCK YOU". Haha, yeah crazy.

The Norwegians are a crazy bunch, with some of the death metal bands burning down churches across the country to rid Christianity from the lands. I can't remember the name now, but one of band member who was imprisoned for burning the down churches (now released) said that they will continue to burn, and he had no regrets about burning them in the first place. I guess this guys go hard out with Satanism. One other band member was interviewed and was pretty blatant with his responses.

Interviewer: "What influences your band's music"
Member: ...."Satan"
Interviewer: "What does Satan embody for your band lyrics"
Member: ...."Freedom"

Scary fuckers I did agree with the start of the documentary and really liked how it talked about metal is different for everyone, listening to it gives people a sense of empowerment and belonging. I specifically like the conversation with one metalhead that one of the main reasons he enjoys metal is because it is always there. I can definitely relate to that. At the end of a shit day (or even a good day) nothing beats coming home to blast some metal. The thing with metal is that it's not a person, it doesn't judge, lie or discriminate, it just tells it how it is. The singers write how they feel and think, and don't really give a shit about censorship or what people think. They don't cover up sensitive issues or run from emotions, instead they just put it down on paper in an assortment of notes and raw English. If you like it and relate to it, you'll love it and take it with you forever. If you like it, you'll like it and headbang along. If you don't, you don't listen to it.

Metal has been there for me, and it's not going anywhere, which is nice to know I can count on something. My Megadeth albums aren't going to change, the lyrics will always be the same, and always trigger the same memories and emotions no matter what my age. I can relate to the lyrics and sometimes it just feels good to think, 'fuck, someone has been through what I'm going through, I'm not alone'. I can remember times when I have needed a good metal session to soothe my thoughts or just to vent too and how much it's helped. I can also remember where I've wished I had a few of my favourite metal CD's with me so I can chill out. Metal is a way of life and I'm glad that I've found and embraced it in mine.

I ended the day buying another CD (#178), which was Strapping Young Lad's self titled effort, it's pretty full on, definitely some good angry music

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