Nick Calpakdjian

We're stoked to have hit the target for our campaign but still need more funds to finish the film. The $1500 target was pretty modest and the bills have started to come in for the archive material. So if you plan on buying / streaming the film in the future, why not get on board and say you helped make the film!!!

------------------------------------------------------

Metal Down Under is the first documentary to fully examine the history of heavy metal music in Australia. From its roots in the Australian hard rock and pub traditions of the 1970’s to the pioneers of metal in the early 80's. We trace the emergence of thrash in the late 80's and the emergence of death metal and grind core right up to the present time with technical death metal, progressive and much much more.

From interviews with promoters, radio hosts, magazine publishers and band members, to extreme fans, bloggers and collectors, Metal Down Under will introduce you to a world you either didn’t want to know existed, or have been a part of all your life.

We've got a growing list of people already interviewed including: Andrew Haug, Adam Agius and Rodney Holder (Alchemist / Metal for the Brain), Jason Fuller (Blood Duster), Dave Slave (Sadistik Exekution), Simon Lukic (Musically Incorrect), Greg and Richie (Dreadnaught), Karl and Sham (Nothing Sacred), John Gibson (Renegade), Greta Tate (Metal for Melbourne), Leigh Lemmy Wilson, Brian Giffin, Chris Maric, Dave Harrison and Tony Campo (Allegiance), Joe Kapiteyn (Infected), Daniel Estrin and Simone Dow (Voyager), Steve Hughes (Slaughter Lord), Mark De Vattimo & Metal Mike (Psychonaut), Matt Skitz (Damaged), Dave Haley (Psycroptic), Dan and Azza Bok (Frankenbok), Peter Hobbs (Hobbs Angel of Death), Dysie and Brad Wesson (Soundworks Touring), Cain Cressal (The Amenta). And we have more lined up!



A few quotes from the film...

Peter Hobbs: “I always used to write about imagery, satanic imagery, the dark side because that’s what I’m into. I love horror movies, I love all that stuff. Like I said, the heavier it is the better, the more gruesome it is, I love it. Bring it on… I’m sure if we were back in the 16^th century, 17^th century we’d be listening to guys there on harpsichords, playing harps while they’re having executions in the town square. Hey you can’t get any heavier than that.”

Dave Haley: “Sonically Abramelin doesn’t sound anything like AC/DC which doesn’t sound anything like a band like Devolved or Thy Art is Murder, Parkway Drive whatever. But i do think there is a common thread in bands that are from Australia and grew up in the Australian culture… to me it sounds like this don’t give a fuck attitude. AC/DC’s got the don’t give a fuck attitude, this is what they do. And that to me is the same as a band like Destroyer 666 has the same don’t give a fuck attitude and a band like Blood Duster’s got the don’t give a fuck attitude.”

Rodney Holder: "They took Rodney Rude and blended it with death metal and Grind Core and Rock n Roll... so they had that always really offensive, really tongue in cheek, really controversial images and song titles with this really cool, catchy, grindy and you know rock n roll."


Tony Campo (Allegiance)

We've shot most of the film and are now in post production. Nick is editing the film at his studio. However we still need funds for a final shoot and to finish the film ready for broadcast.

So the funds will be used for the following:

1. Final shoot
2. Animation
3. Colour Grade
4. Sound Mix
5. Music Licensing
6. Archive Licensing

We obviously need more than $1500 to complete all of this. But we need to set realistic targets and achieve them one step at a time. We've already raised just over $4000 through our website and Nick himself has invested $10,000 plus many hours of his time into the project. So hopefully we'll smash the target and get closer to finishing the film.

The main obstacle to finishing this film is time. The less money we have to finish the film, the longer it takes. If we can raise the necessary funds through this campaign, we will be well on our way to having this film completed in early 2014.