In a time when censorship was struggling more than a dinosaur trying to wash its hands, many metal bands came to light to capitalize on everything that is socially wrong and added shock value for the unheard masses. But, when you get to offend someone because of their beliefs, orientation or gender and they want to shut you up can it be considered censorship? The El Duce Tapes interestingly explores that question and more.

The El Duce Tapes shows the viewer a side of Mentor’s lead vocalist, El Duce, and how he went spiraling down into a horrible death. It makes you question why mental health was such a taboo subject and but makes you understand why no one bothered to give him a helping hand instead of showcasing him for the entertainment of others— it gets to a point when even he admits to hate himself for all the things that he’s done and portrays. It does display how society sometimes doesn’t like to intervene as long as the music keeps playing and it’s entertaining. I didn’t know there was such a thing like “rape rock” as a music subgenre until I had the chance to watch this documentary. I didn’t even know there was a politically incorrect metal band known as Mentors. Did I listen to their music after watching the film? No. I had enough of their, in my opinion, disturbing-for-our-times lyrics while watching the film which is packed with some of their greatest hits.

This is a documentary that goes beyond detailing the life of a controversial and misogynistic lead singer. It’s an informative showcase of the importance of mental health, alcoholism, abuse, racism and education. It also takes it as its base to show the evolution of censorship and how it was and still is handled. It doesn’t take a side, which is better for the viewers to make their own conclusions, but it does slightly favors sides as information is presented. It is composed of a collection of interviews recorded by actor Ryan Sexton during the early 90’s after finding El Duce one night lying on the street. It’s very well put and the line is never lost even when it mixes subjects to give it a deeper meaning to the interviews done by El Duce, other band members and even his sister.

Even as a documentary, The El Duce Tapes may be offensive for some viewers as they question the motives to producing such travesty. I recommend you watch the trailer before pressing play on it to understand what a weird rollercoaster you’re about to ride. It’s the easiest way to learn how to identify the red flags in a person who desperately needs help. It’s very well-crafted and, at the same time, it’s pretty sad.

8 OUT OF 10 DRUMS