Heavier Trip picks up right where its predecessor, Heavy Trip, left off, with the fictional Finnish death metal band Impaled Rektum incarcerated in a Norwegian prison. The bandmates—Turo, Lotvonen, Xytraxm, and Oula—are offered the chance to perform at the legendary Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. However, Xytraxm dismisses the idea, deeming Wacken an “over-commercialized” event for mainstream metal fans and posers.
As the plot unfolds, the band learns that Lotvonen’s family will lose their slaughterhouse unless they can come up with €30,000. Faced with this financial crisis, Impaled Rektum decides to break out of prison, leaving behind the surprisingly gourmet seafood buffet, in hopes of getting in touch with the influential metal producer Maxwell Efraim Fisto to secure their spot at Wacken.
At its core, Heavier Trip leans into the familiar, playful absurdity of the metal world. The film embraces metal clichés with tongue firmly in cheek, never taking itself too seriously. From the appearance of Lemmy’s iconic hat to the running joke involving a security guard named Dokken, the movie revels in heavy metal’s self-parody. There’s also a recurring gag with Babymetal, who play a key role in the story, and Dave Mustaine gets a humorous moment poking fun at himself.
Like the first film, Heavier Trip shines brightest when it’s not bogged down by its plot. The storyline, revolving around the band’s drive to play music for the love of it and to save Lotvonen’s family business, is familiar and doesn’t break new ground. However, the writers manage to keep it engaging, and you’ll find yourself rooting for Impaled Rektum to chase their dreams and avoid returning to prison.
Overall, Heavier Trip is a fun, irreverent sequel that delivers exactly what fans of the genre want: a wild, no-holds-barred romp through the world of extreme metal. It’s sure to attract a cult following and is well worth watching, whether in theaters or on digital platforms starting November 29. If you can laugh at the metal scene and appreciate its quirks, Heavier Trip is a must-see.
