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Black Metal is a 2013 indie drama-thriller film that takes a dark, intense, and gripping look into the world of black metal music. It is directed and co-written by Kat Candler and stars Jonny Mars, Heather Kafka, and Addisyn Stevenson, among others. The movie begins with a satanic metal band arriving at an isolated cottage deep in the woods to record their much anticipated new album. The band members, Daniel (Mars), Kuzma (Frank Mosley), and Aaron (Jason Bowen), are eager to create music that would cement their position as the kings of the genre.

As they dive into their creative process, tensions soon emerge between the band members. Daniel, the lead singer, and the primary songwriter, is a perfectionist to the core. He refuses to compromise on his artistic vision and wants the album to be unique and groundbreaking.

Kuzma, the bassist, is the exact opposite of Daniel. He is laid back, enjoys life, and is willing to ride along. He is constantly irritated by Daniel's intense and focused approach to music, and this leads to multiple arguments between the two.

Aaron, the drummer, on the other hand, is the quiet one of the group. He is more interested in the music than the drama between Daniel and Kuzma.

The tensions between the band members increase when Sara (Heather Kafka), Daniel's ex-girlfriend, arrives at the cabin. There is a palpable discomfort between Sara and the band members. Daniel, who is still in love with Sara, tries to overcome their past issues and reconnect with her, which Kuzma sees as a distraction.

As the recording progresses, it is evident that the band members are not in the best mental space. They are haunted by their demons and have difficulty tuning their thoughts away from them. Daniel, in particular, is haunted by dark and disturbing thoughts, which he channels into his music.

Things take a dark and unexpected turn when Sarah's daughter Ada (Addisyn Stevenson) shows up at the cabin. Ada, a precocious 10-year-old, develops a fascination with the band members, and their music fueled by her passion for writing. As Ada becomes an unwelcome new addition to the cabin, the group's strained cohesion comes to a breaking point.

The movie does an excellent job of immersing us in the world of black metal music. The ambiance is dark, foreboding, and eerie, amplifying the suspense and foretelling of the dark secrets and emotions of each character. The music is intense and haunting, contributing to the film's atmosphere, and helping to tell the story.

The characters are well-drawn and intriguing, and the actors convey complexity and authenticity in their performances. Jonny Mars delivers an intense performance as Daniel, bringing to light the character's struggle between his perfectionism and his internal demons.

Heather Kafka and Addisyn Stevenson deserve a special mention for their portrayals of Sarah and Ada, respectively. Kafka delivers an intense performance conveying a mother's concern for her daughter while trying to navigate the complicated dynamics with her ex-boyfriend.

Stevenson, who was only eleven at the time of the movie's production, brings a maturity well beyond her years in portraying the sardonic Ada. Her character's innocence and boredom fuel her fascination with the band members, leading to a tense and climaxing thriller.

Overall, Black Metal is a thought-provoking, character-driven drama that brings to life not just the world of black metal music but also the complex dynamics of relationships that it can foster.

Black Metal is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 9 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.