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THE PIT Presents ‘Rat Skates: Born in the Basement’ Documentary

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 12, 2025
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In 1980, the East Coast of the United States was immersed in the cultural vortex of punk, disco, stoner, new wave and heavy metal. Frustrated by an identity crisis in the suburbs and fueled by the new wave of British heavy metal, a small group of young people unknowingly created a more extreme and aggressive music, thrash metal. One of these pioneers was Lee Kundrat, aka Rat Skates

As new addition to its expanded list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘Rat Skates – Born in the Basement’ : a documentary, told by Overkill’s founding drummer Rat Skates, and exploring the birth of the band and the thrash scene. Fueled by frustration and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a group of energetic youths unknowingly created one of the most extreme sounds in music history.

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

Rat Skates: The Visionary Behind Overkill and the Rise of Thrash Metal

Rat Skates, drummer and founding member of Overkill, launched the band in 1980. With relentless drive and a bold DIY ethic, he helped propel the New Jersey group from garage rehearsals to international stages.

A one-man creative force, Skates designed the band’s logo, merch, stage setup, and even edited their demo tapes—all by hand. When resources were scarce, he used sheer ingenuity to fill the gaps.

Despite Overkill’s rising success, Skates left after just two albums, frustrated by an industry that didn’t seem to reward his effort. In hindsight, with the band still thriving and releasing their 20th album in 2023, his exit seems premature.

In his documentary Born in the Basement, Skates revisits Overkill’s origins and the birth of Thrash Metal through his own eyes. 

The film avoids typical rock-doc drama and instead celebrates the camaraderie and passion that fueled their rise.

It’s a raw, inspiring look at the 1980s underground scene—and a must-watch for any musician or metal fan. Just like Skates himself, it’s all heart, hustle, and DIY spirit..

THE PIT Presents ‘Underground Civilization’ Documentary- Underground Death Metal Scene of 1990s Washington D.C

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 5, 2025
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“In the ’90s, people really thought you were a nutcase if you liked Death Metal.”

As new addition to its expanded list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘Underground Civilization : the documentary’ : A 100-minute documentary exploring the raw, underground world of Washington D.C.’s 1990s death metal scene — a subculture defined by its sonic extremity, DIY ethos, and the tight-knit community that thrived beneath the shadow of the capital.

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

Launched in 2003 in Baltimore, just outside Washington D.C., Maryland Deathfest has grown into one of the largest extreme music festivals in the United States, with a lineup rooted in death metal, black metal, and grindcore. But its origins trace back a decade earlier to a little-known scene that took shape in the early 1990s around Washington D.C., led by three pioneering bands: Deceased, Abominog, and Morbius.

These bands ignited a tight-knit, underground movement that would lay the foundation for an entire subculture. The documentary Underground Civilization dives deep into this hidden chapter of American music history, featuring rare live footage of Deceased, Morbius, and Abominog, along with in-depth interviews with key figures such as King Fowley (Deceased, founder of With Your Teeth Records), Doug Souther (ex-Deceased), members of Morbius (Matt Sylvester, Andy Sylvester, Jason Weir, V. Bee Somphone), Pete Reid and Chris Yuastella (Abominog), Vince Matthews (Sadistic Torment), Jon Currle (Meatgrinder), Mike Bossier (Oblivion), and Flo Homer (Gravewürm).

The film also revisits the legendary venues that fueled the scene — including both iterations of the Safari Club (D.C.’s answer to CBGB), Club Asylum, Club Scar, Bender’s Club, Wilmer’s Park, The Bayou, and Jaxx.

More than a historical recount, Underground Civilization plays like an intimate conversation among old friends — musicians reflecting on the scene they built, the moments that defined it, and the energy that made it unforgettable. It’s a compelling and immersive journey into a lost era of 1990s underground metal.

THE PIT Presents ‘Dark Sanctuary: The Story of the Church’ Documentary

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 13, 2025
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“We learned that there was a group of people who didn’t fit into mainstream society. And The Church became the centre of the community for the goth and alternative crowd in Dallas.”

As new addition to its expanded list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘Dark Sanctuary: The Story of The Church : a hauntingly beautiful documentary that explores the rise and fall of one of America’s most iconic gothic clubs. Through intimate interviews and atmospheric visuals, it captures the soul of a venue that was more than a club—it was a cultural sanctuary and chosen family. 

A tribute to a lost era, filled with music, memory, and meaning.

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

There’s a reason why The Church was one of the longest-standing gothic clubs in the United States before its closure. The venue, its location, and its hauntingly immersive décor all contributed to its legendary status. Dark Sanctuary: The Story of The Church traces the club’s remarkable and poignant journey, told through the memories of its founder and the artists who brought it to life. More than just a nightclub, The Church was a cultural landmark—an institution and a chosen family for many.

This documentary preserves the spirit of a place that still holds deep meaning for its former community. It offers a powerful reflection on a lost era, evoking both reverence and a bittersweet sense of nostalgia for a world that can no longer be revisited.

THE PIT Presents ‘UNSCENE: Making Hell Accessible’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 1, 2025
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“We can see that the bigger the capacity, the more difficult it is for people with disabilities. And here it was perfect, it was inversely proportional. The other festivals we’ve been to have a lot more room for improvement than Hellfest.

As newest addition to its growing list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘UNSCENE : Making Hell accessible’ by the team who brought ‘UNSCENE Casablanca’ a powerful documentary that explores Hellfest’s groundbreaking efforts to make festivals accessible for people with disabilities. 

Follow the journey of first-time festivalgoers from the Pension de famille de l’Orangerie as they share their experiences, challenges, and feedback. This eye-opening film highlights how Hellfest stands out with its commitment to inclusivity, setting an example for future festivals.

The full documentary is available right now on the platform with a 7-days FREE trial. Watch now on THE PIT and be part of the change.

Stream the documentary here.

Festival accessibility for people with disabilities is often an overlooked topic, yet it’s incredibly important. In this compelling episode of the Unscene series, we dive into Hellfest’s PSH (People with Special Needs) initiative, where accessibility isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a priority.

Sociologist Corentin Charbonnier follows the journey of residents from the Pension de famille de l’Orangerie in Amboise, as they embark on their first Hellfest experience in 2023. From the excitement to the challenges, they share their raw, honest thoughts on the festival’s organization, their fears, and the impactful feedback that will shape future events.

Unlike many larger festivals, Hellfest’s approach was refreshingly different—proving that bigger capacity doesn’t always mean less accessibility. In fact, their efforts were a standout example of what could be achieved when inclusivity is at the core.

Catch this inspiring documentary that brings to light essential conversations and showcases best practices in festival accessibility. Unscene: Making Hell Accessible premiered at the Omega Sound Fest and the Etats Généraux du Metal in Montpellier 2024, sparking much-needed dialogue on how we can make music festivals accessible for all.

THE PIT Presents “The History Of Metal And Horror” Documentary

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 11, 2025
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“In a way, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is about the end of the world, and I think that might be why Leatherface and ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ are so appealing in heavy metal. It’s really apocalyptic and Leatherface is an apocalyptic character. I think that’s where you start to see an overlap with the interests of a lot of heavy metal music.”

As new addition to its list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents“The History Of Metal And Horror”, a documentary that explores the history of heavy metal music and horror, and how the two genres ultimately crossed paths. 

Various metal artists share their first introduction to horror, their favorite horror films, their influences, and more. Horror film icons also discuss how their films have influenced the horror genre, their connections to metal artists, and why metal and horror work well together

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

The electrifying fusion of heavy metal and horror, showing how these two genres have inspired, influenced, and collided to create a lasting cultural phenomenon.

Directed by Mike Schiff, this captivating documentary explores the origins of heavy metal, its profound ties to classic horror cinema, and its enduring cultural impact. “The History of Metal and Horror” offers a deep dive into the dynamic relationship between these two iconic genres, featuring insights from over sixty prominent figures in metal and horror.

Adding a creative twist, the film weaves its chapters with segments of a post-apocalyptic short film hosted by horror legend Michael Berryman. Interviewees include some of the biggest names in the industries, such as Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, John Carpenter, John 5, Tom Savini, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Corey Taylor, Kane Hodder, Jonathan Davis, Scott Ian, Doug Bradley, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, and Chris Jericho.

THE PIT Presents ‘Rédemption: Lumière Sur Les Légendes Noires’ 6-Part Documentary Series

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 28, 2025
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“He is the one who can legitimately be called the theorist of Satanism as we know it or as it is currently codified.”

As new addition to its expanded list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘Redemption’ ;which narrate the untold stories of Charles Baudelaire, Aleister Crowley, and Countess Elisabeth Báthory in a gripping 6-part documentary series on THE PIT, unraveling the dark legends and controversies that made them icons of rebellion, subversion, and pop culture infamy.

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

…Synopsis…

Baudelaire, Dracula, Bathory… These historical figures share a black legend that sticks to them. Vampires, witches, satanists? What is the truth behind the accusations against them? Together, let’s explore the hidden face of these legends. From Dracula to Anton LaVey, from Madame de Montespan to Aleister Crowley, here is the redemption of pop culture’s most infamous characters…