Headbanger's Ball

Headbanger's Ball is a television show about heavy metal music that began in the 1980s, airing music videos late at night in stark contrast to Top 40 music shown during the day. "The Ball," as it is commonly called, replaced Heavy Metal Mania, helmed by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame, expanding the format and adding more live interviews with the bands. At its premiere it was hosted briefly by Kevin Seal, then by VJ Adam Curry, son of Tim Curry from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Hosted longest by Rikki Rachtman, it gave exposure to underground acts like Testament and Overkill and helped metalheads across America find new material to mosh to.

Related Topics:
Heavy metal music - 1980s - Music video - Top 40 - Dee Snider - Twisted Sister - VJ - Adam Curry - Tim Curry - The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Rikki Rachtman - Testament - Overkill - Metalheads - Mosh

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Bands would visit the set and go on trips with the VJs occasionally. One of the more memorable excursions was Alice in Chains's trip to a water park. Another memorable trip was Van Halen's adventure in Cabo Wabo. The show was later reintroduced on MTV2, now hosted by Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta, Saturdays at 10 pm. The show currently spans everything from the classics of early Metallica, to the nu metal sounds of Staind, to the less mainstream The Devin Townsend Band. The new version is also rife with informative interviews, from catching up with Bruce Dickinson and Iron Maiden, as Dance of Death was released, to finding out about a variety of well-known and newer bands at festivals and multi-stage tours. The new version is also one hour shorter than the old version. MTV2's Headbanger's Ball redux has also spawned a spate of related merchandise, including a tablature book and two dual disc CD sets featuring artists such as Chimaira, Sevendust, Atreyu, Shadows Fall, Children of Bodom, Lamb of God, Cradle of Filth and Godsmack. The compilations offer a full range of metal genres from the gothic Italian act Lacuna Coil, led by Cristina Scabbia, to the growling hardcore sound of Sal Lococo and Sworn Enemy. The MTV2 version also featured recurring guest spots by well known artists such as Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne.

Related Topics:
Alice in Chains - Van Halen - Cabo Wabo - MTV2 - Hatebreed - Jamey Jasta - Metallica - Nu metal - Staind - The Devin Townsend Band - Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden - Dance of Death - Chimaira - Sevendust - Atreyu - Shadows Fall - Children of Bodom - Lamb of God - Cradle of Filth - Godsmack - Lacuna Coil - Cristina Scabbia - Sworn Enemy - Rob Zombie - Alice Cooper - Ozzy Osbourne

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More information on Headbanger's Ball is covered in Ian Christe's Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. The book includes reminiscences from a variety of bands, as well as material from an interview with Rikki Rachtman. Another informative resource is David Konow's Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal.

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