London’s Fresh Take on Heavy Metal
In the brand‑new Netflix comedy Metal Lords, two unlikely students set their sights on turning their high‑school music room into a roaring arena of rock. It’s a dry‑humor coming‑of‑age story that blooms from writer D.B. Weiss’ own teenage riffs.
Meet the Misfits
- Kevin (Jaeden Martell) – the drummer who’d rather keep his hands happy than his friends happy. He’s the pragmatic one who follows the beat without over‑thinking.
- Hunter (Adrian Greensmith) – the guitarist with a heart full of treble and a goal: dominate the Battle of the Bands with their band Skullf*cker.
- Emily (Isis Hainsworth) – the unexpected bassist, a cellist who’s secretly the band’s missing puzzle piece.
The Big Quest
When the duo desperately hunts for a bass player in a school that favors pop tunes over thunderous riffs, the search turns into a comedy of failures. It’s only when Kevin hears Emily practicing on the school stage that the gears finally start turning.
Why Metal Matters
Martell shared with Reuters his newfound respect for the genre after diving into the film: “At first, it feels like everyone’s smashing cymbals and screaming. But there’s an almost mathematical precision behind it. It’s a special art that demands real talent.”
Preparing for the Part
Hunter’s prep included watching School of Rock, while Hainsworth sought inspiration from cellist Tina Guo—a neat nod to how different worlds can collide on the same stage.
Feel the Beat
With Kevin on drums, Hunter on picks, and Emily riding the cello, Metal Lords amps up the soundtrack of teenage ambition, giving fresh characters a chance to write their own epic.
<img alt="" data-caption="Cast member Jaeden Martell attends the premiere of "Knives Out" in Los Angeles, California, US, on Nov 14, 2019.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”832c51ba-90f1-442c-bfd3-d0fdbda2400d” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/07032022_actor.jpg”/>”I have mad respect for metal and people who play metal,” Hainsworth said.
As well as focusing on the genre, the movie, released on Friday, also looks at growing pains and mental health.
“In a very oblique way, there are experiences that I had in high school playing music…that you accumulate over the years,” said Weiss, co-creator of hit series “Game of Thrones”.
“Years ago I started to see how they might shape together into a fun small personal story about three kids who don’t fit in learning how to not fit in together. And so that’s where it came from and then in the interim, obviously, it changed a lot.”
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello served as executive music producer on the movie, and wrote Hunter’s composition “Machinery of Torment”. He said he could identify with the story.
“Heavy metal was my first love and the connection and the opportunity it provided to enhance a kind of self-worth when you’re a teenager growing up, especially sort of as an outcast in a conservative suburb,” he said. “It was my lifeline.”
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