Hell Bent For Metal's latest special episode flips the regular show on its head again to talk about some directly relevant things that wouldn't fit the main show.
The guys begin by discussing the 1997 surprise blockbuster hit The Full Monty. There's talk on the economic landscape at the time in Sheffield, England, where the film was set. Many people had suddenly lost jobs they thought were secure, including the main characters of the movie which led them to become strippers. Tom and Matt discuss how in some ways the film was very much ahead of its time in terms of highlighting body positivity and some aspects of racial commentary, whilst also highlighting some things that would perhaps not pass today.
Obviously, there's then an in-depth look at the movie from a queer angle. Whilst one host grew up watching the film often and starting to see himself in one of the characters as he was growing up, the other is watching for the first time, so what will be picked up there? There's talk on how straight folk's perceptions on queer folks can be altered by them becoming friends and realising they're more similar than society has taught them.
The guys also chat on how, growing up queer, they'd look for cues in guys they liked to see if they were 'one of us', in order to avoid any potential confrontation, and also about the times they've tried to prove how 'hetero' they are in order to appease others.
Further, the film is commended for having a character who is out of the closet as much as would have been reasonable in the late 90s UK, and for featuring on of the first believable and relatable queer arcs in television or film.
After that, it's time for a drink so Tom and Matt enter the Hate Crew Gay Bar on 'classic albums' night. Today they're discussing Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), the third LP by Slipknot. You've probably heard of them.
Now somehow 17 years old, the album marked a departure any leftover nu-metal nuances from the Iowans, and moved into much creepier and more experimental territory, and found a sound that truly made the 'Knot the band they are today. For one host, Slipknot were the band that got him into metal, so where does this album rank in their discography?
There's talk on just how impactful the album was and still is as a whole, but also on iconic individual moments within in, such as the genius music video for 'Before I Forget' where the band are teased unmasked before anyone really knew what they looked like, and 'Duality's classic status, its notorious classic keg hit, and its own music video which saw a group of Maggots demolish some property.
Finally this week, the Camp Classic takes on its true meaning as the guys look at 'Şımarık', the 1997 pop anthem by Turkish star Tarkan. Given that neither host in fluent in Turkish, what could possibly be camp about this song? Somehow, a fair amount.
The music video in which Tarkan is running away from ravenous women is touched upon, but there's also lengthy conversation on how one host had his perception of 'camp' changed by a straight friend, and also why this sort of thing can be confusing for someone who's trying to figure out how to work their gaydar. Tom and Matt also examine why it is still important to have specific queer spaces in queer-friendly cities, to be around one's own community and not have to have any sort of guard up. And of course, this somehow derivates into discussion on Holly Vallance and Australian Masterchef. Why wouldn't it?
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