Rez Metal

October 1, 2020
Featuring the voices and images of many Navajo purveyors of heavy metal, aka "rez metal," this slim book serves as a companion to Stone's documentary film of the same name. Inspired by a major moment in Indigenous heavy metal, Flemming Rasmussen, the producer of several Metallica albums, flew to the states to meet the band I Don't Konform and witness the scene, a story that makes up one small part of the book. Split into four sections defining rez metal, showcasing the venues, meeting the bands, and looking to the future, the book focuses on the words of rez metal musicians and fans, including the President of Navajo Nation, Jonathan Nez. Rez metal is hugely popular on the reservation, but the bands don't make much money. More importantly, the music has become a way to deal with the daily hardships of life on the reservations, especially alcoholism and suicide. Many of the musicians see it as a coping mechanism: for themselves, their fans, and the next generation of headbangers. An intriguing and enlightening read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)