I don’t think I’d surprise anyone if I said metal music and horror movies are intrinsically linked by some shared aesthetic. I’m not sure what it is about either that seems to connect one to the other — but the overlap in fan interest there is undoubtedly prolific. In fact the biggest metal fan I know is also the biggest horror fan I know.

Beyond similarities in imagery, I would argue there is a certain spirit embodied in both. A certain history there. “Both were the sites of moral panic in the 1980’s,” writes Andrew Hatch in his article, ‘A Match Made in Hell’ (Damn that is a better title than mine). “Britain waged war against the ‘video nasties’ imported into the country, while Tipper Gore led the assault on metal music in the United States.” I imagine, if I was a more dedicated and interesting writer than I am, I could go into most genres of film and music and find their counterpoint.

Black-sploitation and Funk? 70’s Anarchy Auteur and Punk Rock? Gangster Movies and Hip-Hop? Rom-Coms and Pop? Christian and Christian?

But I’m not that good of a writer. See, I just used the adjective “good” in a piece of published writing. It’s just lazy is what it is. And, beyond that, I still haven’t mentioned The Devil’s Candy. Shameful.

Alright, so Devil’s Candy. In his article, Hatch writes “Metal and horror also share a fascination with death.” He makes the connection between the music genre and movie monsters like zombies, citing a psychological study carried out by Open University’s Stephanie Lay, where she found “a particular fear of near-human faces” to be prevalent in subjects. He goes on to make that uncanny valley connection to the chaotic and challenging sound of, say, Black Metal. Often-times enjoying true metal music requires a sort of acquired taste, like eating the most metal of all dairy, Casu Marzu. The screaming, the volume, the smells. It’s all close enough to “regular” music to be very disturbing to some listeners.

So it makes sense that a viewer who likes films with this uncanny quality would also gravitate to to this genre of music. And it would follow that gatekeepers of both genres seem to speak the same language. It’s hard to find fans of anything, really, who argue about classifications and quality as much has horror and metal fans. Well, maybe “Gamers” (not fans of videogames, but capital G). Though I’d suspect that is more of an age thing.

All of which makes me wonder — would Horror fans or Metal fans actually like Devil’s Candy? Or is it just a ridiculously stupid move to go so on the nose with a film? Is it not extreme enough for fans of the “true” horror films? Is it too hack-y to be accepted by those infamous Norwegian church-burners of Mayhem?

In theory, it should be a match, well, made in hell. Just a total lean-in towards the metal connection with Horror. Characters who love it. Chugging sound tracks. Blood, fire, and a sick “axe” murder with a guitar.

But, we are talking about Horror and Metal — I’m sure something it does just a little wrong will keep it from being classified as either. But as far as I’m concerned, this film did an amazing job combining two of my interests with mood, style, and integrity. Fucked up killers, sexy-ass ripped metal dudes, satanic possession, evil … uh.. mural painting.

Oh yeah, and it just so happens to feature likable characters in a relatable situation. Give it a watch.

Though maybe only if you aren’t turned off by loud guitars.