By HEAVY-HITTIN’ MOVIE REVIEW #1: DEATHGASM
Okay, so I’ve decided to add Metal-adjacent media reviews to Hails to vary things up a little when I’m experiencing “choice paralysis” with picking albums to review.
First up on the cinematic slab for review is a fun little romp out of New Zealand called DEATHGASM.
Not a new movie, and it’s one I’ve seen before, but it’s just as fun when you see it again a while later.
It was released in 2014. It was written and directed by Jason Lei Howden in his directorial debut, and it stars Milo Cawthorne, James Blake, and Kimberley Crossman.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. There was nothing painful about watching it for me, and any cringing I did was worth it.
Lemme explain.
SYNOPSIS
It all starts when some Kiwi boys named Brodie and Zakk meet in a record store and form a Metal band called “DEATHGASM” (all caps, bassist Zakk insists; “lower case is for pussies!”) with two other nerdy classmates, and they inadvertently summon some demons while doing so. After they uncover some ancient, forbidden sheet music – which they naturally perform – the song they ultimately play in Brodie’s uncle’s dingy basement proves to be more than meets the eye.
They recreate none other than the forbidden, arcane “Black Hymn”, which turns most of the adults of the town of Greypoint into bloodthirsty, violent, demonic beings. One of them becomes the choice victim of a powerful demon lord named Aeloth, “The Blind One”, and it’s up to Brodie’s crew to tackle him and restore him to his human form – if it’s not already too late!
Some… uh, interesting… methods are used to dispatch the demonic denizens, too!
Oh yeah, and there’s somewhat of a love interest between Brodie and a popular girl named Medina, but it’s not too mushy.
WOULD METALHEADS DIG IT?
The three big questions I am trying to ask while taking in these Metal-related movies are the following:
Is it entertaining?
Does it “get” Metal culture?
And finally, is it worth spending 90-120 minutes of your life watching?!
Oh, it’s entertaining, all right! We have a varied and talented cast of young people starring who look the part. It has plenty of laughs and bizarre moments, and the characters are likable and unique.
I thought the special effects were decent AND hilarious, and I cackled at the daydreams both Brodie and the popular girl Medina he’s infatuated with experience while listening to Metal – on Walkmans, naturally.
Does it “get” Metal culture?
I’d say so, but it certainly pokes fun at some of the stereotypes.
The attitudes of the two main boys are pretty normal for Metalhead guys, and they aren’t “posers” in the scene by any means. Can’t have that! They both know their Metal, and are both dedicated musicians with fairly purist tastes about bands and music. Oh yeah, and “Glam”? That shit ain’t Metal!
While I’ve never been much for the “Metal boy falls for popular girl” trope, this movie does a pretty good job of making us like Medina and see her as more than just a snobby chick or 2D character or whatever. I also kinda liked the almost-“triangle” aspect of their relationship with bassist Zakk.
Plus, Medina is not only adorable in her own right, but proves herself to be a legit fuckin BADASS fighter. A worthy companion for Brodie, on whom she shares a mutual crush. She eventually grows to enjoy Metal almost as much as he does, so that was awesome, too.
Is it worth sitting still for, for nearly an hour and a half? Hell yeah!
FAVORITE MOMENTS
It was especially funny when the Uncle undergoes his evil “transformation” after the Black Hymn is played by DEATHGASM, and when a character called “Terry” slides into the bathroom to give Brodie a rather… colorful… message from Hell.
Also, fighting demons with a big black dildo and some anal beads?! And fuckin chainsaws.
There’s also a very satisfying “answer” for the bullying cousin who is constantly bugging Brodie & Co.
WHAT IT’S MISSING
My only real “complaint”, if it can even be called such, is that there isn’t much if any original music OR even any legendary Metal songs in the movie.
I was kinda hoping for some Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny style goofiness at the very least. It’s not very music-rich at all, and I was kind of hoping for some fun, original/memorable songs or maybe some well-placed legendary Thrash tracks!
RATING
I’m giving it 8/10 HORNS for its uniqueness and sense of humor. Check out DEATHGASM on Tubi or Amazon Prime Video.
Good first job for the writer/director, and solid performances by the cast!
