Heavy metal is a dark and wicked kind of music that does not preach peace, love, or a bed of flowers. It features the devil as well as death-related themes. Do you know what else is devilish and ominous? Horror films.
Heavy metal and horror have a symbiotic connection, always influencing one another to create a hideous attitude and visceral visual. They share and expand their shared killing ground; the piercing music excites your aural senses, amplifying the terror you experience with your eyes.
The outcome is an increased sense of dread and horror. Metal and horror are an unholy marriage. According to certain commentators and admirers, this heinous marriage began in the 1970s and rose to notoriety in the 1980s and 1990s.
Heavy metal and horror join together to establish an unholy relationship known as Metal-spoilation, similar to how romance and humour go hand in hand. In this video, we’ll discuss 11 films with so much heavy metal and so much kickass horror that you’ll have to sleep with the lights on.
Lords Of Chaos (2018)
Euronymous, a 17-year-old kid from Oslo, is hell-bent on defying his conservative upbringing and forming Norway’s first black metal band. He forms Mayhem after successfully gathering together members, but he quickly recognises that a fledgling band like his would be difficult to advertise and popularise.
He engages in promotional stunts that include violence and burning. Members of his band, especially Varg, burn down churches and commit murders, but quickly, the band’s criminal instincts overtake their desire to simply gain popularity.
Lords of Chaos was directed by Jonas Kerlund and is based on true events and adapted from a novel of the same name. Euronymous and Varg plan to start a band dedicated to devil worship and create “genuine Norwegian black metal.”
The picture combines a stunning blend of brutal violence and heavy metal, creating a terrifying atmosphere that foreshadows imminent catastrophe. Kerlund skillfully depicts the workings of an unstable adolescent mind when filled with anguish and resentment with society.
Euronymous and Varg have a love-hate connection with black metal, and when promoting and popularising their newly developed sub-genre of heavy metal, they enjoy a manic high. The film has fared commendable in terms of its technical aspect too: the artistic principles of a horror film are as potent as the pop-culture imagery presented – from music cues to poster art.
When the band is not succumbing to fits of violence and rage, they are indulging in the great metal LP’s of Metallica and Black Sabbath. Unsurprisingly, Lords of Chaos features original music by the real-life Mayhem band-members, including songs Funeral Frog, DeathCrush, and Pagan Fears, which were written by Euronymous and Necrobutcher.
Black Roses (1988)
Damian and his heavy metal band Black Roses perform at Mill Basin, a sleepy little hamlet. The villagers are unaware that the band is actually a satanic group with the sinister goal of turning the children into devilish zombies.
The youngsters enter a zombified trance when the band performs its evil music in a performance, becoming pawns for the band as they seek to take over Mill Basin. All the headbanging comes to a standstill when the townsfolk realize what’s going on, and Matthew Moorhouse is a local teacher who leads them in an effort to stop the band from hell.
When it comes to Black Roses, critics and fans have strong opinions; some think it’s sinfully underappreciated, while others think it’s so awful it’s excellent. The video is a terrifying visual interpretation of the statement “music transforms children into monsters.”
The special effects aren’t spectacular, but that doesn’t matter when legendary music from bands like Tempest, King Kobra, Hallow’s Eve, and Lizzie Borden is included. Black Roses’ music and score help to create the necessary suspense and gloom in a horror picture.
Director John Fasano did not really pay as much attention to the narrative and storytelling aspects, throwing together elements of catastrophe, possession, romance and some nudity here and there. There’s incoherence in the way it has been written, and the screenplay is sloppy with goofs. Having said that, Black Roses was not made to be technically perfect – it was intended as a poetry, dedicated to the Heavy Metal culture of the 80s.
Trick or Treat (1986)
Eddie and his Heavy Metal idol Sammi Curr are the focus of Trick or Treat. Eddie is a high school student who is occasionally bullied. A local DJ named Nuke gives him one of Sammi’s rare records.
Sammi died in a terrible fire shortly after the album was completed. Eddie plays the recording but somehow, it is played backward and somehow summons Sammi’s ghost into the world. The vengeful spirit unleashes his wrath onto Eddie’s bullies in the name of metal and revenge, embarking on a spree that leaves a pile of dead bodies.
Ozzie Osbourne and Gene Simmons, as well as a band named Fastway, play important parts in this vicious and terrifying heavy metal nightmare. Mark Price and Lisa Orgolini, who play Eddie and his girlfriend, respectively, have excellent performances under director Charles Martin Smith’s direction.
After seeing Trick or Treat, you’ll see that the scary element is the film’s mildest aspect. Is it necessary for us to tell you how fantastic Heavy Metal is? This film is any metal lover’s wet dream, or maybe a wishful nightmare.
Interestingly, the film has some humorous and satirical elements, mocking the treatment of metal music and musicians by American society back in the 80’s. Both heavy metal and horror films were treated by many as things that were corrupting young American minds, and this film was Martin Smith’s answer to such accusations.
The Gate (1987)
Al and Glenn are alone at home since their parents are out of town for the weekend, and they take advantage of the situation. Little Glenn and a few buddies examine a bottomless hole in their backyard that was made after a tree was removed, while Al throws a party.
When one of Al’s friends buries Glenn’s recently deceased pet-dog Angus, the gates of hell are accidentally opened, summoning creatures and demons from the hole. Al, Glen and their friend Terry will have to survive the house filled with demons and Old Gods.
This Canadian film succeeds as a children’s fantasy picture about monsters while also doing admirably as Metalspoilation. There is some mild violence and gore, such as blood-splattered symbols on the wall and a figure piercing an eyeball with a glass shard.
Despite this restraint, the picture manages to establish and retain its horror aspect, thanks in large part to the film’s gloomy soundtrack. The film doesn’t really build a story around heavy metal – the album referred to in the film acts as a part of the summoning.
Though the heavy metal is sprayed all over the film, it has been well incorporated throughout and doesn’t seem out of place in any of the sequences. Songs like DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR and EVERYBODY’S RUNNING are particular gems.
Deathgasm (2015)
Brodie is a metalhead whose mother has been removed from his life owing to her drug addiction, and he is being raised by his aunt and uncle. Brodie struggles to adjust to his new existence until he meets Zakk, a fellow headbanger.
Their shared passion for metal draws them closer together, to the point where they establish Deathgasm. To complete their band, the two enlist Gion and Giles. Brodie and Zakk later break into the house of a metal superstar named Rikki Daggers and find a music sheet named The Black Hymn.
Deathgasm plays the Black Hymn and unleashes a demon who possesses the townspeople and wreaks havoc. Now it is up to Deathgasm and a friend named Medina to send the demon back and save the day.
Deathgasm is without a doubt one of the most hilarious Metalspoilation films ever created. There’s some brilliantly violent zombie slaughter, a terrifying demon, a smidgeon of romance, plus a tonne of humour and heavy metal in this film.
New Zealand has produced a number of entertaining horror comedies, with Jason Lei Howden’s Deathgasm topping the list. We think it’s amusing when orthodox Christians turn into zombies and get murdered with their own sex toys after listening to some extreme heavy metal.
The film’s name tells the audience what to expect and delivers precisely that; Deathgasm is a laugh riot. It is like a volcanic eruption where gore and heavy metal music fuse together to wreak havoc in all directions. Special effects used in the film are top-notch and complement all the head-smashing and gut-slicing.
Shock ‘Em Dead (1991)
Martin works as a pizza delivery boy during the day and composes music at night. Martin receives a call for an audition with a band one day, but his supervisor refuses to grant him a day off, so he quits. He goes to the audition but fails miserably, so he goes back to his former boss and begs to be reinstated.
Martin, who is unemployed and destitute, meets a strange woman who claims to know Voodoo and can cure his issues for a modest fee. Martin sees no harm in giving in to the woman. She stabs him in his heart, but Martin is resurrected, and finds himself living with three hot women by his side, having gained the wondrous guitar skills.
But all of this comes with a price, Martin has to kill people and eat their souls in order to remain alive. Martin re auditions for the spot with the band and this time he aces it. He soon falls in love with the bass guitarist’s girlfriend, and his band becomes suspicious of his secrets.
The performance of the actors is a letdown, but the picture as a whole isn’t bad. Within a few years following the release of outstanding films like Trick or Treat and Black Roses, Mark Freed created this picture, but it remained virtually ignored.
The film’s lack of success can be ascribed to its poor narrative, which was written in three weeks and shot in another three weeks. Shock ‘Em Dead has flaws that are hard to ignore, but it is definitely a fun watch. It’s metal thunder will leave you rock and rolling, but that’s about it.
Phantom Of The Paradise (1974)
Swan is the wealthiest and most powerful music producer of the period, and he is preparing to open The Paradise, a magnificent rock palace. He wants a one-of-a-kind piece to commemorate the start of his new business, and he intends to steal the music of Winslow Leach.
When Winslow discovers this, he is beaten up, falsely accused of drug trafficking, and imprisoned in his quest to discover why Swan has stolen his music.
However, Leach breaks out of prison and visits The Paradise, killing everyone who intends on helping Swan, except for a beautiful young singer called Phoenix. Leach attempts to exact his vengeance, only to find out that Swan had sold his soul to the devil twenty years ago. Leach now faces a dilemma.
The film is a parody on the music industry, portraying the typical storey of industry corruption and abuse of a talented artist. It’s essentially a musical about heavy metal and rock music.
Paul Williams was chosen by director Brian De Palma to write the dark and energetic songs, and he was also cast as the film’s villain Swan. “Goodbye,” “Faust,” “Upholstery,” “Special to Me,” “Old Souls,” “Somebody Super Like You,” “Life at Last,” and “The Hell of It” are among the tunes.
Paul Williams was nominated for that year’s Oscar in the category of Best Music, Scoring Original Song Score. Phantom of the Paradise is a living proof why they should make more horror films spliced with heavy metal DNA. It doesn’t quite rank as one of the great horror films, but in the Metalspoilation sub genre, it is definitely a classic.
Death Metal Zombies (1995)
Brad Masters is a young child who is a death metal aficionado. He can win an album by his favourite Death Metal band, Living Corpse, in a radio competition! Brad is apprehensive about entering the tournament, but is convinced by his buddies, who convince him that he can win, which he does.
He receives an album with a song specially curated for him called Zombified, and you may be able to guess the effect the song has on Brad’s friends when they listen to it. These are not some regular zombies, but zombies that headbang! Nevertheless, it is now up to Brad’s girlfriend Angel to save the day.
In terms of performance, directing, and script, the picture falls short. The zombies have the same appearance as the ordinary characters, with the exception that they have black rings around their eyes. If, on the other hand, you’re seeking for some metal-loving zombies that enjoy spreading gore through pointless stabbing, here is your one-stop-shop.
The songs are filled with dark and grim themes and they are heavy death metal! Let us just judge the film based on these factors. We have included the film in this list because it is a super fun watch, even with all its imperfections.
We Summon the Darkness (2019)
Alexis, Val, and Bev are driving down a highway in 1988, on their way to a heavy-metal event. The girls make a pit break at a small convenience shop, where a televangelist named Pastor John Henry Butler is being shown on the television.
The girls spot a newspaper headline that says TEENS SLAIN IN NEWEST SATANIC KILLING as Butler is lecturing about the horrors of heavy metal. The girls finally reach a grim rock show by a band called SOLDIERS OF SATAN, where they meet Mark, Ivan and Kovacs. After the concert is over, the six of them go to Alexis’ father’s ranch in an isolated countryside. The house-party soon becomes a slaughterhouse of sorts.
Whatever you may have heard about this film, we strongly advise you to disregard it and see it via a metalspoilation lens. We Summon the Darkness is a high-octane horror comedy that is a lot of fun all the way through.
In this brutally scary picture, Alexandra Daddario and Maddie Hasson provide riveting performances. Both when the killings are occurring and when they are not, the music is captivating. Director Marc Meyers and writer Alan Trezza have succeeded in producing a modern-day musical psycho-thriller.
Their murder-cult thriller manages to summon darkness in a brooding yet somehow funny way. The well documented fear of heavy metal that built during the 80s and 90s is realistically shown, particularly in the televangelist’s use of biblical references, but there’s a lot of graphic content here too. For heavy metal fans out there, the band Soldiers of Satan perform Black Funeral by Mercyful Fate in the film.
Rocktober Blood (1984)
Billy, the band’s lead guitarist, goes on a murdering spree. Before assaulting his lover Lynn, he kills about twenty innocent people, however she is spared by a security officer. Billy is put on trial and sentenced to death. Lynn has started her own band, Headmistress, a year later, and Billy has risen from the grave.
When Billy starts his murdering rampage, exposing himself only to Lynn and the victims he kills, the band goes on a musical tour called Rocktober Blood Tour. People begin to doubt Lynn’s sanity since she blames the killings on a deceased guy.
The climax of the film takes place in a rock-show by the band, with thousands of headbangers watching as Billy massacres the dancers and singers on-stage. At the same time, the audience is thrilled, believing that the blood bath is a part of the show. The undead Billy sings a song on the stage too. Rocktober Blood’s ending is one of the most open-ended ever.
In the closing scene, Lynn’s band is really a real Heavy Metal band named Sorcery, who deliver the film’s most euphoric moment. How do they deal with it? For a film like Rocktober Blood, their musical performance is outstanding.
The finale is a masked guy slicing and butchering barely clothed ladies while singing some pretty amazing metal. Blood falls everywhere like rain as dark music engulfs the scene like fog.
The irony being that the headbanging audience are loving all of this – even as a severed head is thrown at them from the humongous stage! As a slasher metal horror, Rocktober Blood fares well – if you enjoy a bit of 80s cheese and drama, this is your movie.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare (1987)
Triton, a band from Canada, travels to a remote farmhouse to record new songs, unknowing that it is home to some dangerous monsters. With the three men, John’s girlfriend Randy, Stig’s girlfriend Lou Anne, and Roger’s new wife Mary pay a visit to the farmhouse.
While the band is busy recording songs, the demons are quietly murdering the guests one by one and stealing their souls until only John remains. The demons try and repeatedly fail to possess John’s soul, and eventually the fallen angel Beelzebub appears, at which point John reveals that he is, in fact, the archangel Intercessor. A battle between angels is imminent.
You may be asking why a film with rock ‘n’ roll in the title was included in a list of heavy metal movies. Jon Mikl Thor, a renowned Canadian bodybuilder, singer, and composer, plays John Triton aka Intercessor and also wrote the narrative and composed the music for the film.
Because of the low budget and the fact that nearly everyone involved was an amateur, the film doesn’t provide much in terms of performance or directing. There is hardly any plot to the film – it seems that Thor put all his efforts into the solid heavy metal soundtrack instead – and the horror element is moderate but suffices.
All things said, the film proudly boasts a steady barrage of heavy metal, and with demons and angels fighting on-screen, this is exactly the kind of stuff that we highly recommend to our die-hard headbangers!