This is only thing I can say after having watched this HBO documentary about Aryan National Front, Alabama based skinhead nazi organization led by their so called fuhrer Bill Riccio. In this one hour movie shows all the preying on young boys from broken families, whom Riccio gathered in his compound, so called WAR house. Through undercover filming of their rallies, lame direct actions and fraternizing with Ku Klux Klan who were not much impressed with them and it is in fact sick how one lunatic can gather and fill the minds of broken teenagers, broken family stories, beaten and abused kids and put into their minds ideas of white supremacy and nazism. Some of their tries to convince people on the streets to take their side and join their ranks are so stupid that I laughed out loud couple of times while watching this one. Riccio served time in prison and is now active in local KKK in Birmingham, Alabama and former followers only now bring out all the charges of sexual abuse and mental abuse that so called fuhrer did over them. Never again, I wish Riccio and all like him to drop dead right now. Urgh!
I am blessed because I witnessed this metal legend live back in the days in Austria, I am pretty sure it was 1999. Ronnie James Dio. What to say about him? The man, the legend, for me one of the best vocals and voices rock music ever had and will ever have. I was waiting for this movie since the day it was announced with early trailers. This man was responsible for metal horn sing, you know the one, with your hand, that all metalheads around the world use till this day. It was in fact sign against evil curses that his Italian grandmother used to make when she felt something threatening to her family. The movie describes Dio’s beginnings from his early r’n’b and doo wop singing abilities, to Elf and Richie Blackmore and Rainbow, then coming to Black Sabbath when practically no one believed that he will be able to fill in Ozzy’s shoes. Afterwards, his career peak with solo band, Holy Diver, full arenas and tours to nineties which broke hearts and put metal as underdogs. From all the hardships and heartbreaks, to return with Heaven & Hell, this man earned status of eternal metal legend. Small in height, but his voice is still soaring from metal afterlife, although he passed away from cancer, his legacy will never die. Excellent movie.
The same titled book is on my wish and to buy list for many months now. So, when I saw that the movie is made, a documentary based on that book, it was time for me to see it pronto. Based on Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew’s book, this one offers nice insight into Bay Area thrash metal scene, probably the most famous thrash metal scene in the world, coming out of California. This movie is chronological, from end of seventies and all the characters being teenagers and starting their own bands with people like guys from Metallica, Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Dark Angel, Megadeth interviewed in the movie, nice tribute to fallen brother Cliff Burton and great live action footages, describing golden years of thrash metal through eyes of people who are still active in their respected bands and delivering killer albums. My personal opinion is, maybe the movie should have focus less on Metallica, more on other bands, and maybe more anecdotes less facts already known, that would make even better movie, although this one is good and fun to watch. I will get the book soon and see the difference between book and movie, I am certain that you can not put entire book into an hour and a half of movie.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 