Watch Death Metal Angola

Death Metal Angola is a unique and compelling documentary that delves into the world of black metal music in the country of Angola. The film follows the journey of Sonia Ferreira, a young Angolan woman who has a passion for death metal music and who dreams of organizing Angola's first-ever national rock concert. The story begins in the aftermath of Angola's 27-year civil war, which had ended only a few years prior to the start of the filming. The country is still rebuilding, and music has become one of the most powerful means of healing and moving forward. Death metal, with its raw and cathartic sound, has become a particularly popular genre among young people in Angola.

Sonia Ferreira is one of those young people. She fell in love with death metal at a young age, and has been a devoted fan ever since. As she tells the camera, "death metal is where I find my freedom, where I feel like I can be myself."

Sonia knows that there are other death metal fans in Angola, but they are scattered and isolated. She decides that the best way to bring them together is to organize a national rock concert, featuring bands from all over the country. She faces numerous obstacles along the way, from lack of funding to difficulty finding a suitable venue, but her determination never wavers.

The film also introduces us to Wilker Flores, a former street kid who has become one of the most respected guitarists in Angola. Wilker is one of the few musicians in the country who is proficient in the technical skills required for death metal, and Sonia persuades him to be the musical director for the national concert.

Wilker is initially skeptical about death metal, but he quickly becomes entranced by its power and energy. He also recognizes its potential as a means of expression for young people who have known only war and poverty. Wilker becomes a mentor to many of the young musicians who are trying to perfect their death metal skills, and his presence helps to give the film a sense of hope and community.

The documentary also goes deep into the history and culture of death metal music, with interviews and performances from some of the genre's most well-known musicians. They speak about the origins of death metal, its connection to punk rock, and its roots in the social and political context of the 1980s.

One of the most poignant scenes in the film is a performance by a death metal band in a rural village in Angola. The band sets up their equipment in the middle of a market square and begins to play, surrounded by curious onlookers. At first, the crowd seems hesitant and unsure, but as the music continues, they begin to dance and cheer.

The concert that Sonia and Wilker organize is an incredible success, with over two thousand people in attendance. It is a true celebration of Angola's burgeoning death metal scene, and a testament to the healing power of music.

Death Metal Angola is a powerful and moving documentary that explores the transformative power of music in a country still recovering from the trauma of war. It is an inspiring story of courage, determination, and community, and a window into a vibrant subculture that is too often overlooked. Any fan of music, and particularly heavy metal, will find this film deeply absorbing and engaging.

Death Metal Angola is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 68.