Metal Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Dead (1999)

  

ONE-SIDE ONLY FOR SUNDAY

Imagine being a teenager with no access to the internet. Wild, I know. Back then, I even resisted having a mobile phone - I fucking hated them, because they seemed to be all about controlling you, wherever you went, and whatever you were doing. Even today, I use a phone only for some basics, and hate using it.

Hence the blog, instead of shit-tok.

In the high school years, being the only Metalhead in the class wasn't really that fun, because there weren't many people, with whom you could share your hobbies. So imagine my surprise, when my schoolmates, who were listening to hip-hop and techno, introduced me to Necrophagia, due to their infamous "Blood Freak" video. Shockvids were pretty popular then, and people were downloading them (if they could) and sharing them through the CDs and early pendrives. They wondered if I knew the band, and could tell them more about Necrophagia. But back then, despite my high self-esteem, I was a total noob that was still learning about the wide and huge Metal scene.

If you never seen it, then maybe don't, as it's very graphic. Like, really graphic. But if you have a stomach, and are not squeamish, then yeah, it's a classic video, deserving its acclaim. Necrophagia always loved to shock the people with its covers and themes, but beneath the surface, they were a fun little band. Alas, I digress.

The video itself, despite its graphic content, dealt with paranoia, dishonest pastors, hypocrisy, lust, greed, and innocence. So it wasn't all about the gore. Nope, there was some substance to think about. Alas, as I was about to learn years later, there were even more videos in that vein. Bah, majority of "Holocausto de la morte" by Necrophagia got filmed. The other videos are not slouches either *, albeit they don't live up to the infamy of "Blood Freak". Compiled together, and featuring a host, they form this neat little collection, called "Through the Eyes of the Dead" movie in sort of a twisted version of "Tales From the Crypt".

Originally released in 1999 on VHS, and later re-released in 2002 on DVD by Season of Mist. This collector's item was filmed by Jim Van Bebber, a rather talented filmmaker, in the category of grossing the shit out of a viewer. Necrophagia's vid, along with Guinea Pig 2 were the films that AFAIR, both Charlie Sheen and Eddie Vedder delivered to the FBI, thinking that it was a real thing. L-O-L

Necrophagia, being huge fans of horror movies, later did some more, including a tribute to Cannibal Holocaust movie, as well as both "Nightmare Scenarios" and "Necrotorture / Sickcess" special features, which were a worthy continuation of the tradition started here. Albeit you know how it is, the first love is always the special one, so "Through the Eyes of the Dead remains the best one.

All in all, this is a seminal classic that stands the test of time, and is highly recommended, but only for people who accept a lot of gore. This certainly was a milestone for me in regards to developing a craving for Death Metal. Sometimes, the word of mouth is a promotion worth more than millions in marketing.

* edit addendum: I forgot to mention that "Burning Moon Sickness" video is basically a compilation of scenes from another Van Bebber movie - "Roadkill: The Last Days of John Martin" (1994) - also recommended!