When you hear the term “black metal,” one of the last things to enter your mind will be lighthearted comedy. Even the idea of heavy metal being a starting point for an underdog story is a pinch far-fetched as well. Heavy Trip is both and succeeds no matter how you view the final product. Filmmakers Juuso Laatio and Jukka Vidgren have delivered a film that’s super tight and entertaining from start to finish. Much of the success should be contributed to their ability to develop likable characters and casting a group of actors who bring them to life like no one else could.
Impaled Rektum just might be the greatest black metal band no one has ever heard of. The band has been slaying together for over a decade, having never played anywhere outside of their practice space. Turo (Johannes Holopainen) is the lead vocalist who spends his days working in a mental hospital as an orderly. Lotvonen (Samuli Jaskio) may shred on his axe, but spends the rest of his time working with his parents on their reindeer farm. Bass player Pasi (Max Ovaska) has photographic knowledge of music and refines his skill while working in a library. Together, they create a song so heavy, they literally create their own style of music known as “symphonic post-apocalyptic reindeer-grinding Christ-abusing extreme war pagan Fennoscandian metal.” They think they’re ready to make their move out of the practice space and play the biggest black metal festival in the world. It’s not as easy as they might think, with life getting in the way, they will have to find their true selves before they have a chance of making their dreams come true.
There are plenty of rock comedies out there, but none have come close to being iconic like This is Spinal Tap (1984) or Airheads (1994). Heavy Trip is so damn good, it could very well stand the test of time and be remembered in much the same way as those two. The film is subtitled in English with Finnish and Norwegian being the spoken languages in the film. This group of bumbling fools are so incredibly likable, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat hoping they get their crap together because you want to see them succeed. The three lead actors are terrific and elevate the film in every possible way. The cinematography by Harri Räty is absolutely stunning, capturing the beauty of the region’s natural landscape for all to see. Being a metal fan myself, the music in the film kicks ass and when you hear Impaled Rektum, you will not be disappointed.
Heavy Trip is available now DVD and most VOD (iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube, Amazon Instant). If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, I have some great news, as the film will be available to stream on February 28th. This is a heavy metal classic in the making so don’t waste your time. Put on your best black metal make-up and start banging your head because Heavy Trip will blow chunks all over your face!
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