Metal Syndrome is a documentary project exploring the world of heavy metal music through the eyes of Finnish metal musicians and bands. Drawing from the PhD study of Laura Laaksonen this documentary takes a close look at musicians as international entrepreneurs and asks who they are, what they know and whom they know.
Directed by Laura Laaksonen and Janne Tamminen, cameras by Laura Laaksonen, Miikka Skaffari and Janne Tamminen, script editing by Miikka Skaffari, edited by Janne Tamminen.
Featuring: Nightwish, Amorphis, Ensiferum, Insomnium, Children of Bodom, Swallow the Sun, Omnium Gatherum, Sonata Arctica, Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani, Baton Rouge Morgue, Turisas, Jyrki 69 and much more!
Over 15 Hours of interviews with the bands and artists.
– 90 min full documentary available on DVD/BluRay/Digital in Spring 2016
(with English subtitles – hopefully also with Spanish, German, Chinese and Japanese)
– Webseries with all the extra footage, starting in January 2016.
A shorter 60 min “Academic” version premiered at Modern Heavy Metal Conference at Orion Theater Helsinki, Finland in June 12th 2015 – with Q&A with the directors.
The Short version was also selected for Rokumentti – Music Documentary Festival in Finland November 2015
Finland has given birth to an abundance of technically dazzling and visually and conceptually fascinating metal bands – even it’s own genre.
This documentary looks deep into the roots of these bands and what are the characteristics that differentiate Finland from other metal nations. We interviewed some of the most successful Finnish metal musicians, their management, other music industry professionals and of course fans to find out.
These bands have inspired fans to learn Finnish language and history. Some have even moved to Finland because of these bands. Metal music is one of Finland’s biggest cultural exports and they are true ambassadors of their country. We asked these artists what motivated them to start playing, who inspired them, what their goals were and what they think is so metal about Finland. The interviews took place on Caribbean metal cruise and on the road in North America.
In 2016, we’ll be filming in 360VR for Google Cardboard VR, Samsung VR, Oculus Rift etc. for full immersive Metal Experience! Stay in Tune!
Supported by Finlandia Foundation and Consulate General of Finland Los Angeles.