Thrash metal emerged in the early 1980s, at a time when poppy glam metal was on the rise. In response to this, a genre emerged with a more extreme musical approach: a mixture of heavy metal and hardcore punk that is often played faster and more aggressively. Metallica is considered the founder of thrash metal. Their album ‘Kill Em All’ was a huge hit in 1983 and several songs from the album have become classics.
Beginning metal bands in both America and Germany immediately knew which way to go.
Director Daniel Hofmann discusses the German movement, its origins and development. What once started as groups of friends are now renowned metal bands that attract full houses at home and abroad: Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, Tankard, Holy Moses… the list is long. They are now once again part of the established order. The film clearly shows how the groups managed to conquer all of Europe and played an important role in the unification of East and West Germany. With a lot of humor and… the occasional beer.
Director Daniel Hofmann is present at the screening of ‘Total Thrash’ in Tilburg. We are doing our best to bring a number of band members from the top bands to the film festival.