Metal Lords airs on Netflix as of today and the original movie is simultaneously a love letter to heavy metal (complete with some pretty heady cameos) and a coming-of-age story that every single person who was once a teenager can relate to.
As is the case with most films that need help navigating the narrative to a solid conclusion, conflict is inserted to a varying degree of effectiveness. Here we have a typical teenage boy who must choose between his friend and his lady friend—one he has begun to know more romantically. This trope has been used hundreds of times, but in Metal Lords, it is effective, albeit pedantic.
Toss in a band that is much more popular, but much less “raw” as a rival for an upcoming Battle of the Bands, and a relationship between a father, Dr. Sylvester (played by Brett Gelman), who doesn’t “get” his son Hunter, and a child who has no idea what makes his babe chasing plastic surgeon dad tick.
<iframe width="753" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TzAAtZx6xzk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Director Peter Sollett (Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) has captured that period in one’s life where we are still trying to figure out who we are, what we enjoy, and who we want to surround ourselves with as we trudge through this thing called life. Traditionally, the metalheads have been the outcasts of the social scene in the teen world and that is painted no differently here by Sollett and his screenwriter D.B. Weiss. Yes, they play Dungeons & Dragons and obsess over classic riffs and a history that doesn’t involve the industrial revolution—more of the metal music type that landed stars like Dee Sneider in front of Congress testifying under oath about corrupting morals of minors.
Many of us who were music crazy as kids and teens remain so to this day. But there are other elements to life that must be attended to and honestly, there is nothing like the musical aficionado one becomes during those high school (and college) days. You knew every word to every song, a band’s timeline better than the human race’s, and most importantly, went to concerts like there was no tomorrow. If that description hits close to home, Metal Lords is the movie for you.
Much of the film’s success lies on the skinny shoulders of Martell. He goes through a real character evolution over the course of Metal Lords from reluctant hero and friend to someone comfortable with the spotlight and confident in their place in the landscape of high school. He might even lose his virginity. The young actor handles it brilliantly, much like a young Wiley Wiggins did as Mitch in Dazed and Confused back in 1993.
Not giving anything away, but this film will absolutely resonate with metalheads, evidenced by the extraordinary cameos Sollett has secured. It will blow you away.
Grade: B