The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

17/6/1988 1h 33m 6.8/10

Overview

An exploration of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles, with particular emphasis on glam metal. It features concert footage and interviews of legendary heavy metal and hard rock bands and artists such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Megadeth, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne and W.A.S.P..

Director

Penelope Spheeris

Top Billed Cast

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons

Self

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne

Self

Lemmy Kilmister

Lemmy Kilmister

Self

Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley

Self

Chris Holmes

Chris Holmes

Self

Dave Mustaine

Dave Mustaine

Self

Reviews

Wuchak

12/2/2018

8/10

***Amusing documentary on the mid/late 80’s metal scene*** Released in 1988, “The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years” by Penelope Spheeris is a documentary covering the 80’s metal scene. The film includes footage & interviews of popular acts (KISS, Ozzy, Aerosmith, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Poison), moderately successful bands (Faster Pussycat) and up-and-not-coming artists (London, Odin, Seduce). There are obviously staged parts, like the orange juice spill, Paul Stanley in a bed with three lingerie-clad women and the drunken pool sequence with Chris Holmes & his mother. These portions were included to amuse, but they're also informative, as far as the commentaries from the actual musicians involved in the 80's metal movement go. The rest of the movie is footage of live interviews and concerts, mostly at clubs with emphasis on bands that frequented the L.A. strip. There's nothing fake about these parts. The film covers the 87/88 metal scene and the people thereof, their ideas, attitudes, lifestyles and fronts. It’s interesting going back in time to see iconic musicians when they were younger, like Lemmy, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Dave Mustaine and Alice Cooper. It’s also nice to hear some quality obscure acts, like Detroit’s Seduce who were surprisingly heavy and aggressive when, by their looks and name, I was expecting conventional 80’s glam metal. Even Odin and London show that they were formidable and deserved greater success. The film runs 1 hour, 33 minutes. GRADE: A-

Similar Movies

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

6.8

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

2006

What Did You Expect: The Archers of Loaf Live at Cat's Cradle

0.0

What Did You Expect: The Archers of Loaf Live at Cat's Cradle

2012

Maison du Bonheur

6.1

Maison du Bonheur

2018

How to Cook Your Life

5.6

How to Cook Your Life

2007

10 + 4 (Dah be alaveh chahar)

5.0

10 + 4 (Dah be alaveh chahar)

2007

First Daughter and the Black Snake

5.0

First Daughter and the Black Snake

2017

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook

0.0

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook

2012

In the Realms of the Unreal

7.1

In the Realms of the Unreal

2004

The Battle of The Alamo

0.0

The Battle of The Alamo

1996

Mass Hysteria au Hellfest 2019

9.0

Mass Hysteria au Hellfest 2019

2019

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing

6.7

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing

2006

Slipknot Live - Wacken Open Air 2022

0.0

Slipknot Live - Wacken Open Air 2022

2022

Kathryn Bigelow: Hollywood Adrenaline

5.0

Kathryn Bigelow: Hollywood Adrenaline

2023

She's Beautiful When She's Angry

7.5

She's Beautiful When She's Angry

2014