While the original incarnation of heavy metal video show Headbanger’s Ball was before my time, the 2000s version was right on cue for me, and helped introduce this young metalhead to loads of bands, particularly DevilDriver, who are still one of my favorite acts to this day. The show was influential to so many in both of its original runs on MTV, and now, Gimme Metal TV is bringing back the cultural touchstone.
Knotfest is helping bring The Ball to Gimme Metal TV beginning on March 27th at 6pm PDT / 9pm EDT. What’s better is that the original host Riki Rachtman is reprising his role for this new era of The Ball!
In a statement, Rachtman said the following:
"I think we are all starving for something like this,” comments Rachtman, “There are so many great bands currently making videos that might never get the eyes watching them. I hear the ridiculous comments about rock being dead. I find that to be preposterous. Especially in heavy music. It is alive and the fans are rabid for it. It might be a video you haven’t seen in decades or one that was just dropped. It could be a video you forgot about and watching it brings back the excitement of the first time you saw it. There was nothing more flattering than being stopped and told that I turned someone on to their new favorite band. I’m hoping some of the younger fans get into some of the old-school thrashers and some of us rock vets see how many great bands are out there now grinding. The great thing about GIMME METAL and Knotfest is we are all doing this for the right reasons. The Ball feels more outlaw. No budget; no fancy sets with greenscreen. It’s all shot from my phone."
Tyler Lenane, the CEO of Gimme Metal, adds this:
“Just like my thirteen-year-old self, a whole generation of fans got their first exposure to metal from MTV’s Headbangers Ball. From the first note of the show’s theme song, Stormtroopers Of Death’s 'March Of The S.O.D.,' you could be sure Riki Rachtman would play something you’d never heard before. We’re genuinely excited to be able to bring The Ball to the GIMME METAL audience of metalheads.”
To download the Gimme Metal app to watch The Ball, as well as their 24/7 metal music videos and content, follow this link. Fans can also use the Gimme Metal website to stream.
See the full announcement from Riki Rachtman below:
Comments