96-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Finds Catharsis in Death Metal

I’m hesitant to tell you too much up front about Inge Ginsberg, a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor who now writes, records, and performs death metal*, even though she didn’t even know what death metal was until she was an octogenarian. Director Leah Galant, you see, has made a highly entertaining and deeply moving short documentary about Ms. Ginsberg for the New York Times, centered almost entirely around first-person interviews and fly-on-the-wall footage of the woman herself. I can’t possibly tells Ms. Ginsberg’s story as well as she can. Suffice it to say, she has a unique perspective which I think will only deepen one’s appreciation for this particular sub-genre of extreme music, and articulates aspects of DM’s appeal that we sometimes take for granted. She’s also pretty funny. She should be everyone’s new hero.

Take twelve minutes out of your life to watch Ms. Galant’s documentary below. Below that, enjoy Ms. Ginsberg’s music video for her song “Totenköpfchen.” It’s also pretty great.

*It’s really trad metal, but whatever, Ms. Ginsberg has earned a pass.

Thanks: Jeff S.