Banger Films Launches Campaign to Fund Lost ‘Metal Evolution’ Episode

Banger Films, the Canadian documentary company behind the comprehensive series ‘Metal Evolution,’ is calling on metal fans around the world to help them complete the “lost episode” on extreme metal and why people are devoted to this dark, brutal music.

“Our first IndieGoGo campaign was a huge success and we were blown away by the support of the metal community,” host Sam Dunn said in a press statement. “The research, writing, travel and filming is now complete and we’ve captured some amazing interviews and footage. But we need to turn this footage into an episode!”

Bands appearing in the episode include Venom, Celtic Frost/Hellhammer, Slayer, Napalm Death, Carcass, Death, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Enslaved, Gojira and plenty more.

The episode will also feature some renowned locations in the history of extreme metal including Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Fla., as well as travel footage from Norway, Switzerland, UK, US, and Hellfest (France), one of the world’s biggest metal festivals.

“Some of the networks felt that extreme metal was too heavy or too niche. We’re out to prove that extreme metal is metal’s most vital sub-genre and that metal would probably die without it!” Dunn -- who is a metalhead and anthropologist -- said.

Banger Films has been nominated for a Grammy Award and won Juno Awards in Canada. Dunn and business partner Scot McFayden kicked off their entry into music docs with 2005’s ‘Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey’ followed by 2008’s ‘Global Metal,’ before venturing into one-band docs like 2009’s ‘Iron Maiden: Flight 666,’ 2010’s ‘Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage’ and forthcoming one on Alice Cooper.

The ‘Metal Evolution’ series features 11 episodes -- and originally aired on VH1 Classic (USA) and MuchMoreMusic (Canada). It was based on the 'Heavy Metal Family Tree' originally shown in their 'Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey' documentary. For ‘Metal Evolution,’ Dunn traveled the world investigating the history of heavy metal over its 40-plus year history.

For Banger’s first IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign for this extreme metal episode, they raised nearly $40,000; this second campaign for $35,000 is to raise money to cover editing, archival and music licensing, onlining, sound mixing and other post-production costs.

“People are often surprised by how much making quality film and TV costs,” said Dunn. “It requires a lot of hard work from a team of talented people to ensure we make the best possible show. Extreme metal deserves the same high-production value and attention to detail that we gave the other ‘Metal Evolution’ episodes. I’m not getting paid to make this episode but what matters to me is that the ‘Metal Evolution’ series is finally completed!”