Sad news for the metal and underground cinema worlds, as Mike ‘McBeardo’ McPadden, author of renowned metalhead film guide Heavy Metal Movies, has passed away. He was 52.
No cause of death has been revealed.
Mike’s death has been confirmed by Bazillion Points, the metal-centric publishing company which released both Heavy Metal Movies and Mike’s teen boner comedy guide Teen Movie Hell. The compoany confirmed Mike’s death via social media:
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In a world of imitators and punch-pullers, Mike was the real deal. Heavy Metal Movies‘ strength was undoubtedly McPadden’s voice, which provided both sardonic wit and a sense that he was a metalhead like the rest of us, rating movies by how much they truly ruled. His Instagram account was equally priceless, roasting Oscar bait dramas and ‘elevated’ horror movies for the tiresome bullshit that they were.
But in classic metalhead fashion, Mike’s seemingly prickly exterior hid a really good guy. While dismissive of the mainstream, he fully embraced the underground, and was a vocal proponent of anyone sleazy, weird, and different. In this way, he was supportive and helpful to those who needed it most (this author can attest to that personally, as he once sent Mike an out-of-the-blue e-mail for publishing advice and received kind words, helpful tips, and encouragment in return).
Especially tragic about his passing is that in 2020, Mike also became a foster father alongside his wife Rachel. In their obituary, Decibel also confirmed Mike’s death via a social media post from Rachel, who wrote, “A few very short hours later, I became a single foster mother. This sweet baby (and all of you, all our family, anyone wishing well and sharing stories and sending love—all of it is felt) is saving me right now. Neither of us knows what comes next, the uncertainty of foster care. Uncertainty of loss, grief, starting over…We were loved to the max by this guy.”
A GoFundMe account has been started to help Rachel in the wake of Mike’s death, while Bazillion Points is selling a box set of Mike’s two books and Daniel Ekeroth’s Swedish Sensations Films with all proceeds going to help Mike’s family. While we know money is usually tight this time of the year, The Pit urges readers to give what they can to a family in need this holiday season.
Everyone at The Pit sends their heart out to Mike’s friends, family, collaborators and readers during this difficult time.
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Words by Chris Krovatin
