Until the Light Takes Us (2008)

A candid, gritty, and sometimes shocking look at the Norwegian black metal scene in the early 90s. If you’re wanting to know more about the infamous immergence of black metal in Norway – the church burnings, the murder of Euronymous, the Count Grishnackh Kerrang! interview, and other disturbing internal conflicts – as well as its cultural impacts on music in 2008, with a decent amount of footage following Darkthrone’s Fenriz around and giving his insight into it all, this is essential viewing. Until the Light Takes Us is a very compelling and well-made documentary that, like the rest of the documentaries on this list, is surprisingly raw and unfiltered in execution.

Where to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube

Hired Gun (2016)

This one was recently recommended to me by our very own insomniac15, diving into the cut-throat nature of the music industry, told from the perspectives of a freelance musician, and what an iconic artist like Billy Joel, Rob Zombie or Alice Cooper looks for in a hired musician. Two highlights in particular really knocked me back, which involves Billy Joel’s story and Filter’s Richard Patrick, but I won’t spoil the moments if you’re intending to watch this documentary, as both sections really encompass what the industry can do to people when they’ve been involved in the industry for any decent amount of time. Suffice to say, like Until the Light Takes Us, Hired Gun is brutally honest in what it’s showing you.

Where to Watch: Plex, Amazon, YouTube

Artifact (2013)

I’ve not watched Artifact in a long time, but I absolutely loved this film when it first came out. After the success of their sophomore album A Beautiful Lie in 2005, the band were initially recording footage with the intent of making a “making of” for their third album. However, as they were going into the studio Thirty Seconds to Mars were informed by their record label, EMI, that they were being sued for $30 million for “breach of contract”. What follows is their stressful journey trying to write and record This is War with a lawsuit in full swing. Artifact is one of the most informative documentaries you’ll watch, as, while this does follow the band in their tribulations writing new music, it also investigates the insidious nature of how the music industry operates (in 2013). Jared investigates record contracts and how labels exploit the artist in every conceivable way – with informative interviews from former label managers and musicians, such as Chester Bennington and Serj Tankian, on their experiences with major labels. I’d say Artifact is one of the best, most educational music documentaries you can watch, and I definitely recommend you watch it even if you don’t like the band, as there’s far more to it than just what the band was going through at the time.  

Where to Watch: Google Play (in select countries)

Some Kind of Monster (2004)

Similar to Artifact, Some Kind of Monster was filmed at the time of Metallica going through some heavy troubles. This was shot during the making of St Anger; with the band still reeling over the loss of Jason Newstead, the band set out to record St Anger while searching for a new bass player. What makes Some Kind of Monster such an engaging movie is the fly on a wall, unedited, no-filter approach it takes. For a band as big as Metallica, it’s testament to them for releasing this documentary in its current state when you consider the stuff on it. Hetfield is literally going to rehab for addiction during shooting and you can see he’s in a noticeably bad place, with plenty of tense moments throughout; there’s the bemusing and hilariously awful drum beat footage, as Lars tries to experiment while the band is jamming; and even according to Jason himself, the narrative surrounding his departure is told transparently and truthfully. Genuinely, there’s dirty laundry on here 99.99% of bands wouldn’t dream of putting out there into the world – including the band calling out Bob Rock for thinking he’s part of the band now – and for that, as a viewer, it’s very entertaining stuff.

Where to Watch: Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube, JustWatch

Freedom Uncut (2022)

Freedom Uncut (2022) is the most comprehensive George Michael documentary on the market hitherto, and is likely to stay that way. The documentary was co-directed by the man himself and was the last thing he was involved with before his untimely death 25^th December 2016. Since George was a very private person this is a great look into the man himself, who he was as a person, and how he evolved creatively and artistically. The movie taps into his legal battles with Sony, the profound importance Anselmo Feleppa – his first love – had on his life, as well as staring the media in the face over his tabloid antics later in life. Freedom Uncut has high production values and contains never-before-seen footage which is guaranteed to please fans.

Where to Watch: Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV, Sky