Parents' Guide to Into the Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal

Seeing bands like Hellion, Death, and NME on the episode list makes it clear the filmmakers know their stuff, and that this won't be a run-of-the-mill heavy metal doc. Into the Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal does an excellent job of making you want to hear more about musicians you may be unfamiliar with, but who were nonetheless deeply influential in their scenes. That said, things can get dark and disturbing. In one especially intense episode, a band is stunned to learn their guitarist had murdered his mother after a psychotic break. Hearing how they dealt with the aftermath is fascinating, but it could also be overwhelming, especially if you're binge-watching.

But even in the darkness, there are sweet moments—like Chuck Schuldiner's family recalling his warmth and creativity, even after his brain tumor diagnosis. The episode on Hellion's female lead singer Ann Boleyn is especially inspiring: not only did she launch her own record label, but she turned her experiences with misogyny in the industry into fuel for a second career as a sexual harassment attorney. There may never be a definitive documentary on the subject, but this one succeeds in painting a complex, nuanced portrait of heavy metal legends.