Former A&R exec Howie Abrams has announced a new documentary titled “Heavy Healing.” The film will explore the healing powers of heavy music.
“Fans of Heavy Metal, Hardcore Punk and the like have been told since forever, whether by their parents, teachers or religious leaders, that these genres are “not music,” but noise. Each has been labeled as disorderly, violent and detrimental to the physical and mental health of young people.
Be that as it may, many who have been affected by a wide variety of enervating conditions have come to rely on heavy artists to successfully assist them through the worst of times such as severe illness, weighty medical conditions and mental health challenges.
New documentary film Heavy Healing seeks to dispel rumors and shine a much-needed bright light on the healing powers of aggressive music. You will hear directly and candidly from artists, fans and industry types – remarkable individuals who have leaned on (or even become) “controversial” music-makers in order to inspire and be inspired through the grueling process of recovery from the likes of cancer, anxiety and depression, strokes, heart attacks, cerebral palsy, blood diseases, diabetes and HIV/AIDS to name a few.
Appearing in Heavy Healing are Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), Lou Koller (Sick of It All), Jaret Reddick (Bowling for Soup), Mike IX Williams (EyeHateGod), Vinnie Stigma (Agnostic Front), Eddie “Sutton” Pomponio (Leeway), Jesse Malin (Heart Attack, D-Generation), Jimi Hazel (24-7 Spyz), Michael Alago (A&R Metallica, White Zombie…), Michael “Kaves” McLeer (Lordz of Brooklyn), Jimmy G. Drescher (Murphy’s Law), Brian “Mitts” Daniels (ex-Madball), Adam Blake (H2O), as well as one of HH’s filmmakers, and the inspiration for this documentary, music business veteran Seth Abrams, among others.
Seth offers, “I’ve survived several severe, life-altering medical ordeals. When you strip away the doctors and family and friends’ support, it’s the music that gets you through it all. In my case, I specifically leaned on Suicidal Tendencies’ “You can’t Bring Me Down.” Heavy Healing gives a voice to those who have relied on heavy, aggressive music to recover from any number of things – medical, emotional or both.”
Heavy Healing director Howie Abrams adds, “As someone who has worked with underground bands for over four decades, I’ve encountered far too many musicians who are forced to cope with one disorder or another. That said, it’s incredible to see how they’ve been able to rely on the extreme music we grew up with to help them remain motivated and to recover. Our hope with the film is that others can draw just as much inspiration from the music as our interviewees have.”
Heavy Healing has been accepted into the ReelAbilities Film Festival in New York City, the world’s largest film festival dedicated to disability. It will screen as part of the festival on:
Saturday, April 25th 7:00 PM Maysles Documentary Center Harlem, NY
Monday April 27th 7:00 PM Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park Brooklyn, NY
In addition to the screenings during ReelAbilities, Heavy Healing will also be showing at the New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market in Edison, NJ on April 11; a portion of the proceeds for which will be donated to Sick of It All vocalist Lou Koller’s Sweet Relief fund as he continues battling esophageal cancer. It will also show at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, NV on April 18.”
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