Into the Void: Life, Death and Heavy Metal

In 1985, James Vance survived a dual suicide pact that took the life of his best friend. Months later he blamed the music of Judas Priest for mesmerizing them into despair. The trial that followed threatened the future of heavy metal music.

Chuck Schuldiner, revered as a founder of Death Metal, channeled grief into groundbreaking music. His death at 34, while completing his final work, devastated fans and a family already scarred by the tragic loss of Chuck's older brother.

In the 1980s Wendy O. Williams (Plasmatics) fused punk and metal while railing against consumerism and oppression. Facing obscenity and assault charges only emboldened her defiance, making Wendy an icon in the fight for social justice.

In 2010, Iranian teens Nikan Khosravi and Arash Ilkhani formed anti-establishment thrash metal band 'Confess'. Facing the death penalty for blasphemy the pair attempt daring escapes, hoping to continue making metal and fighting the regime.

As the leader of metal pioneers 'Hellion', Ann "Hull" Boleyn battled misogyny, industry bias, and sexual predators - until a series of frightening encounters led her to law, where she champions workers and women facing exploitation and abuse.

When a deranged fan killed Pantera founder and guitar legend Dimebag Darrell in 2004, it marked one of metal's darkest days. The tragedy deepened rifts between friends and bandmates who've recently reunited to honor his enduring legacy.