Global Metal follows the journey of metal-head documentarian Sam Dunn as he continues his research into the importance of “heavy metal culture in society” on a more global scale than his previous film “Metal: A Head Bangers Journey”. While the last film focused on the roots of metal, it touched on the diversity that the genre produces when influenced by other regions than North America. ‘Global Metal’ maps out the globalization of not just metal, but also the impact of western culture’s influences on the world as a whole.
In this chapter Sam focuses on getting the story from local acts in each of the places he visits. With each nation injecting their own flavor into the sound, it makes for a diverse and interesting story. When not interviewing musicians, Sam explores the community and gets feedback from people on the street. He asks them about the transformation of a culture that has mainly western influences. If you are like me, a person who loves to argue about people’s beliefs (or shall we say assumptions) that entertainment negatively influences people, you will find a heap of knowledge here with which to defend your thoughts on the subject. The people interviewed speak of persecution and censorship causing crime and violence. Above all else they believe that the integration of western society has given them a voice that was at one time, and in some cases continues to be, forced into silence. Where once kids were beating the Hell out of eachother when angry, they are now getting their aggression out through heavy metal. The people give you a real sense of connection and relation with the people in these cultures foreign to our own.
The only effect here is the idea that a unified peaceful world through the education and acceptance of all society, beliefs, and culture might not be as far a stretch as you might think. Although there are some extreme controlling powers stepping in the way of that obviously possible vision.
I absolutely loved Metal: A Headbangers Journey and while Global Metal might not entertain as well some of the time, it makes up for it by enlightening the viewer with stronger more important issues effecting the rest of the world. ‘Global Metal’ is so much more than the title describes and should be considered required viewing, horns up!
