Little did I know, ten years ago, when I agreed to appear on a heavy metal documentary for a Canadian production company I’d never heard of, that I was becoming involved with an outfit that would change the way the world saw the music I’d grown up with. The resultant feature documentary, Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, garnered awards and plaudits worldwide, establishing the Canadians, Banger Films, as the definitive documentarians of music’s most disreputable genre. They’re now taking that status to the next level, launching a dedicated metal channel.

Even more excitingly, on a personal level, they’re also unleashing a new feature documentary that takes them beyond the realms of music, to a topic dear to my black little heart. The feature is entitled Satan Lives…

‘Satan. Lucifer. Fallen Angel. The Devil. He has many names but strikes a singular emotion in billions of people: fear. From Biblical times to modern day, Satan has been portrayed as the worst evil known to man and is undoubtedly the greatest villain of all time. And yet, what do we really know about Him?

‘Satan Lives will explore the role of the Devil in the modern age. It will trace His transformation from fallen angel to demonic beast to charismatic charlatan, showing how popular culture (from Milton’s Paradise Lost to The Exorcist to South Park) has influenced the public’s perception of the Devil’s presence on Earth. Featuring in-depth interviews with horror icons like John Carpenter, Linda Blair, Stephen King, Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro and musicians Bruce Dickinson, Jimmy Page, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson.

‘The documentary delves deep into questions of faith and the psychology of fear, travelling across North America, England and Europe to witness exorcism rites, examine psychiatric testing and reveal the scientific and supernatural forces behind Satan’s power today. Satan is about the power of fear and the nature of evil. It explores the story of the ultimate agent provocateur and reveals that perhaps Satan isn’t what we should be most afraid of at all.’

Between you and me, somebody else some of you may also recognise making an appearance. More info presently…