After James Vance narrowly survived his suicide attempt, he—and his born-again Christian mother—insisted heavy metal music led him astray. Their lawsuit against rock group Judas Priest was reported worldwide. But cross-examination revealed alcoholism and beatings at home. Caught between adults’ denial and a grim reality, James found power in heavy metal’s violent fantasies. Testimony, candid scenes in the Vance home, and interviews with the disfigured suicide survivor create a portrait of teen life on the fringes.