Every year during this marathon I find one movie that is a surprise hit. This year came real early, and I’m perfectly fine with that.
Brodie is a metalhead. His mom was a meth addict that did some particularly rude business with a mall Santa Claus and was sent to a mental institution. Brodie, having no other options, is forced to move in with his aunt and uncle, and their son. Unfortunately for Brodie, they are very religious, and their son David is just a dick. Brodie is basically hating life until he meets his new best mate Zakk. Zakk is a fellow metalhead and bassist. Zakk and Brodie, along with two other friends of Brodie’s decide that since they all play instruments, the only logical thing to do is to start a metal band. Thus, “Deathgasm” is born.
One day, when Zakk and Brodie are hanging out, Zakk decides to take Brodie to an abandoned house. As they are searching around inside, Zakk reveals that it is the secret house of a member of the legendary band Hexan Sword. While snooping around the house, the guys discover that Rikki Daggers is still in the house, and he’s clutching one of their albums. Naturally, they attempt to take the album and are nearly bludgeoned to death by Daggers. They manage to convince him they are fans, and Daggers tells them they are all in grave danger. He hands them the album and rushes them out the window before a mysterious man in a suit shows up to take care of Daggers.
Brodie and Zakk get back to Brodie’s house with the album and are still shaken and confused by Rikki Daggers’ words. They inspect the album and find pages of music. Deciding there is no better way to use their gift, they turn the music into a Deathgasm song. When the band gets together to perform the song things go from bad to worse, not only for Brodie but for the whole world.
It’s hard for me to find any faults in Deathgasm. This is the second independent horror movie to come out of New Zealand I’ve put on my list and again one that should get a lot more exposure and praise. Much like 2011’s “Devil’s Rock“, Deathgasm is helmed by a relatively unknown and untested director, and for the first showing of their talents, I can honestly say I am impressed. The writing is well thought out and doesn’t come off as pandering to metalheads or, as opposed to most movies about sub-culture, manages to not feel full or forced dialog. For as much blood and gore that fills the frames here, there is just as much humor and feeling. This isn’t a movie that will make you cry or question your purpose on the planet, but it did manage to make me genuinely laugh out loud and feel something for the “hero”. Which is more than can be said for most horror movies with twice the budget and “star power”.
Deathgasm is ridiculous, and I love it. It’s kind of fortuitous that it was released on the first Friday of my marathon. Much like Tucker & Dale, Deathgasm was a very welcomed surprise watch that I will recommend to all my friends from here on. As a side note, this was the very first movie that I ever purchased directly from iTunes and more importantly, pre-ordered. I was very excited to watch this one and was not let down when the closing credits rolled. It doesn’t hurt that deep down, I am still a metalhead from high school and got much of the same treatment myself.
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