DREAM THEATER Drummer Comments On 'Get Thrashed' Documentary

September 17, 2008

DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has commented on "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal", the critically acclaimed documentary profiling the thrash metal scene of the early Eighties and its impact on the music scene which was released on DVD earlier this week.

Said Portnoy: "I just finished watching it and it was like re-living 11th and 12th grade all over again!!!

"Somehow when I went off to Berklee, I got sidetracked with the prog stuff and it re-routed my musical direction with DREAM THEATER... but this DVD shows MY LIFE from 1984 to 1986 when I was in the moshpit at all the shows at L'Amour Brooklyn and Sundance (New York-area clubs).

"Check out this post [free registration required] on my site with a few funny pix from that time that you may get a kick out of!!!

"You can take Mike Portnoy out of the thrash scene, but you cant take the thrash scene out of Mike Portnoy!"

Rick Ernst and Rat Skates — director and associate producer, respectively, of "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" — were interviewed for the latest episode of "Talking Metal".

The podcast can be downloaded at this location.

Lightyear Entertainment released "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" on DVD in the U.S. and Japan on September 16, 2008. The disc will be issued in the UK on October 20 and in the rest of Europe on September 26. The film covers the evolution, cultural impact, and musical influence of thrash metal, an extreme form of heavy metal which burst on to the scene in the early-to-mid-1980s. Told first-hand by members of bands such as METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX, as well as using raw, original show footage, writer/director Rick Ernst (MTV, VH1) demonstrates how and why many of these bands emerged from playing local parties and small clubs to headlining major arenas and stadiums. The film is a roller coaster ride of extreme music and personalities, starting with the most famous thrash metal pioneers METALLICA and highlighting other genre defining bands like MEGADETH, SLAYER, EXODUS and more. The documentary features interviews with over 50 artists, including past and current members of METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, SLAYER, PANTERA, EXODUS, LAMB OF GOD, TESTAMENT, SHADOWS FALL, IN FLAMES, KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, HATEBREED and many more. The artists discuss the groundbreaking music of the thrash metal scene, the culture surrounding it and includes raw, live concert footage depicting mosh pits, stage diving, head-banging, partying and the over-the-top antics that went along with the thrash metal movement. The movie breaks down how the thrash metal scene grew from its DIY beginnings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, then reached the East Coast, conquered Europe, and even took root in countries like Brazil and Australia. "Get Thrashed" highlights the similarities and differences in each region while illustrating how the seeds that were planted by thrash metal gave rise to the modern day breed of extreme heavy metal and hard rock. The film features wall-to-wall music from METALLICA, MEGADETH, PANTERA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, EXODUS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and many more, and contains over 90 minutes of bonus footage, featuring thrash scenes and bands from around the world. The DVD offers more than three hours of content, including director's commentary by Rick Ernst and associate producer Rat Skates (ex-OVERKILL drummer),plus liner notes from legendary EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt.

"Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" has appeared in over 20 film festivals, highlighted by invitations to the prestigious Silver Lake Film Festival (LA),Oldenberg Film Festival (Germany),Athens International Film Festival (Greece) and Raindance Film Festival (London). The film's year-long run on the film festival circuit saw the documentary screen to packed houses and sold-out theaters around the world while picking up awards including Best Documentary (2007 Seattle True Independent Film Festival, Backseat Film Festival, New York International Independent Film & Video Festival),SAFILM Grand Prize Award (2007 San Antonio Underground Film Festival),Best Soundtrack (2007 Backseat Film Festival) and Best Director (NYIIFVF).

Film running time is 100 minutes; DVD running time is 193 minutes.

Watch the "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" trailer below.

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