IMDb RATING
7.2/10
4.5K
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Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe footage of London was filmed in director Penelope Spheeris' garage, as the members of London did not have homes at the time the movie was filmed. The hot tub Odin was filmed in belonged to Spheeris as well. Likewise, the footage of Aerosmith and of Ozzy Osbourne were filmed in a producer's house. Chris Holmes' pool scene was also shot at the producer's house.
- GoofsMegadeth drummer Chuck Behler's last name is misspelled as "Beehler" in the end credits. This is not corrected on the DVD/Blu-ray release.
- Quotes
Alice Cooper: Rock and roll should corrupt kids enough to think. There's nothing wrong with thinking.
- Crazy creditsA clip of Bill Gazzarri appears after the credits, with a dance contest winner nowhere to be found.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Greatest: 100 Most Metal Moments (2004)
- SoundtracksUnder My Wheels
Written by Michael Bruce (as Bruce), Dennis Dunaway (as Dunaway) and Robert Ezrin (as Ezrin)
Performed by Alice Cooper / Axl Rose, Slash and Izzy Stradlin
Carlin Music Corp.
Produced by Jim Faraci
Mixed by Eric Thorngren
Alice Cooper appears courtesy of MCA Records
W. Axl Rose, Slash and Izzy appear courtesy of Geffen Records
Featured review
As a former metal groupie (the horror!), when I saw this depiction of the lonely lives and substance-riddled minds of my heroes, it actually inspired me to go to college! It is a poignant, wistful, sad, and insightful look at a genre of music that instilled fear in the hearts of parents(well, at least in mine), and a venue for teens to unleash their anger toward a misunderstanding world.
The best kind of musical documentary is always done best through the eyes of a true fan, and Penelope Spheeris is no exception. While to the casual viewer the film may seem shallow and all fluff (which is how the LA metal was widely portrayed), if one looks past the hair, excess, bravado, t & a, and flowing alcohol,it is easy to uncover the painfully lonely, opportunistic, naiveté' of the struggling bands, and even some of those who "made it." The scene with Chris Holmes guzzling vodka in his pool was simply heartbreaking...and the expressions on his mother's face were fully able to convey her harsh reality. Some of the "classic" performers... Aerosmith, Ozzy, and Lemmy were able to reflect on the business with some learned wisdom, while Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons attempted to convey a fantasy life that appeared way too scripted and laughable (I'm still a huge KISS fan, though). One interesting element in viewing the film almost 20 years later, is how some of the bands downplayed or sidestepped the issue of drug use (note the expressions on their faces when substances are discussed), then appear on "Behind the Music" years later to reveal their debilitating addictions.
Having been involved peripherally in the scene for a few years, I can say that Spheeris' portrayal was 100% accurate based on what I witnessed. I would've liked to have seen the inclusion of other important bands of the LA scene (Motley Crue, Skid Row, etc), and a separate documentary highlighting British metal (Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest)would've been fantastic.
It was a fun, irreverent, and exciting time! I can look back at it and laugh since I emerged relatively unscathed... although I am somewhat embarrassed by the extraordinary heights of my hair and the plunging depths of my blouses in "86.
The best kind of musical documentary is always done best through the eyes of a true fan, and Penelope Spheeris is no exception. While to the casual viewer the film may seem shallow and all fluff (which is how the LA metal was widely portrayed), if one looks past the hair, excess, bravado, t & a, and flowing alcohol,it is easy to uncover the painfully lonely, opportunistic, naiveté' of the struggling bands, and even some of those who "made it." The scene with Chris Holmes guzzling vodka in his pool was simply heartbreaking...and the expressions on his mother's face were fully able to convey her harsh reality. Some of the "classic" performers... Aerosmith, Ozzy, and Lemmy were able to reflect on the business with some learned wisdom, while Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons attempted to convey a fantasy life that appeared way too scripted and laughable (I'm still a huge KISS fan, though). One interesting element in viewing the film almost 20 years later, is how some of the bands downplayed or sidestepped the issue of drug use (note the expressions on their faces when substances are discussed), then appear on "Behind the Music" years later to reveal their debilitating addictions.
Having been involved peripherally in the scene for a few years, I can say that Spheeris' portrayal was 100% accurate based on what I witnessed. I would've liked to have seen the inclusion of other important bands of the LA scene (Motley Crue, Skid Row, etc), and a separate documentary highlighting British metal (Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest)would've been fantastic.
It was a fun, irreverent, and exciting time! I can look back at it and laugh since I emerged relatively unscathed... although I am somewhat embarrassed by the extraordinary heights of my hair and the plunging depths of my blouses in "86.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Занепад західної цивілізації 2: Роки металу
- Filming locations
- Los Angeles, California, USA(main location)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $373,743
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $45,008
- Jun 5, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $373,743
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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By what name was The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) officially released in India in English?
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