A new documentary called “Heavy Healing” is set to explore how heavy and aggressive music helps people through serious health struggles. It features musicians from Killswitch Engage, Sick of It All, EyeHateGod, Agnostic Front, and more.
For years, parents, teachers, and religious leaders have told fans of Heavy Metal and Hardcore Punk that these genres are just “noise,” disorderly, violent, and bad for young people. But for many dealing with severe illnesses, weighty medical conditions, and mental health challenges, aggressive music has been a crucial tool for recovery.
“Heavy Healing” aims to put those rumors to rest and highlight the restorative power of aggressive music. The film talks to artists, fans, and industry folks, remarkable individuals who have relied on (or even become) these “controversial” music-makers to find inspiration and push through tough recoveries from cancer, anxiety, depression, strokes, heart attacks, cerebral palsy, blood diseases, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, among others.
Who’s In It?
The documentary features a stacked lineup, including:
- 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)
The film is directed by former A&R Executive/Author Howie Abrams and produced by Howie Abrams, Seth Abrams, and Jammi York. Seth Abrams, who also inspired the documentary, has worked in various music industry roles and survived multiple severe medical ordeals.
Seth offered this on his experience:
“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.”
Director Howie Abrams added:
“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.”
Upcoming Screenings
The film has been accepted into the ReelAbilities Film Festival in New York City, which is the world’s largest film festival focused on disability. You can catch it there:
- Saturday, April 25th at 7:00 PM at Maysles Documentary Center, Harlem, NY
- Monday, April 27th at 7:00 PM at Nitehawk Cinema, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Beyond the ReelAbilities screenings, “Heavy Healing” will also be shown at:
- April 11th at the New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market in Edison, NJ. A portion of the proceeds will go to Sick of It All vocalist Lou Koller’s Sweet Relief fund, as he continues his battle with esophageal cancer.
- April 18th at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, NV.
For more information, follow the film @Heavy_Healing_Film on Instagram.
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