The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years: Directed by Penelope Spheeris. With Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons. Documentary showcase, what life was like for the music artists living during the Los Angeles Heavy Metal scene in the mid and late 1980s.

“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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe 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 u0026amp; a, and flowing alcohol,it is easy to uncover the painfully lonely, opportunistic, naivetéu0026#39; of the struggling bands, and even some of those who u0026quot;made it.u0026quot; The scene with Chris Holmes guzzling vodka in his pool was simply heartbreaking…and the expressions on his motheru0026#39;s face were fully able to convey her harsh reality. Some of the u0026quot;classicu0026quot; 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 (Iu0026#39;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 u0026quot;Behind the Musicu0026quot; years later to reveal their debilitating addictions.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHaving been involved peripherally in the scene for a few years, I can say that Spheerisu0026#39; portrayal was 100% accurate based on what I witnessed. I wouldu0026#39;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)wouldu0026#39;ve been fantastic.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt 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 u0026quot;86.”