“What if, back then, the slaves had denied the religion of their oppressors? What if they had become Satanists? That was the basis of a few songs, and I released Devil Is Fine on Bandcamp, without any great expectations.” (Manuel Gagneux)

As new addition to its list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘Playing with the Devil : Becoming Zeal & Ardor’, a documentary exploring exploring  the rise of Swiss-American musician Manuel Gagneux and his groundbreaking band, Zeal & Ardor. Blending Black Metal with African-American spirituals—a concept born from a response to online racism—the project propelled Gagneux from obscurity to global fame after the release of Devil Is Fine (2016).

Through pivotal moments like their early tours, albums Stranger Fruit (2018) and Zeal & Ardor (2022), and the protest-driven Wake of a Nation EP, the documentary tackles themes of religion, racism, and cultural appropriation. While fans see him as a leader breaking taboos, Gagneux struggles with the weight of their expectations, offering an intimate look at his creative process and personal challenges.

The full documentary is available right now on the platform with a 7-days FREE trial.