Inside Metal: The LA Metal Scene Explodes 2

October 4, 2016, 7 years ago

(MetalRockFilms.com)

Martin Popoff

Rating: 8.5

review hard rock heavy metal inside metal

Inside Metal: The LA Metal Scene Explodes 2

Very interesting slant and take and premise to this scholarly and thorough documentary, commandeered by LA metal expert and industry figure Bob Nalbandian. But to step back, the first part of this two-parter (same title, just drop the 2), was a gripping, detailed, informative look at metal’s birthing in LA. And as awesome as it was, with interview after interview with all these guys we’ve followed for years, it necessarily took a pan-metal approach.

What we get this second time however, adds a layer, immediately setting the distinction not between glam and thrash, but between glam, thrash and the focus of the film: what was right in-between. And so what we get is the likes of high level artists from all three (i.e. Lars through to Stephen Pearcy, plus Dave Meniketti, John Bush, Jack Russell, Gene Hoglan), really tackling this topic, along with the general vibe of what the LA scene was like for everybody as metal was now taking off.

And there’s tons of live footage, rare fan photography, and interview after interview, expertly edited for strength of theme and theme to follow, as we move through time with these legendary bands. I mean, at least for me, these guys are all at least acquaintances, so it feels like a home movie, even though I never spent any time in LA. But the sense of community is heart-warming, and these artists’ dedication to a life of metal even when it paid a pittance... it just shines forth from every frame.

And I gotta say, the best thing about the two Inside Metals, is that as you move through the story, you can just sense that it’s been assembled by total fans, experts who knew exactly what to use to make their salient and often “inside baseball” points. All told, an essential three-hour trip that will teach you all you need to know about it was done—personal interaction and being a people person. And if you had none of that, if you were a dick, steadfast and fanatic belief in your art coupled with blind ambition. And those lessons and layers of insight and inspiration... they are all over these two action-packed docs of rock.



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