movie

1988 · United States

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

Tonight at a glance

Runtime: 93 min
Age rating: R
Language: English
Country: United States

Why tonight?

Under two hours — there is still an evening on the other side of it.

The story

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..

punk rock
heavy metal
anarchist
social commentary
anthropology
anti-social
thrash metal
woman director

The look

A few frames, chosen rather than collected.

The bill

Paul Stanley — Self
Gene Simmons — Self
Steven Tyler — Self
Joe Perry — Self
Alice Cooper — Self
C.C. DeVille — Self
Bill Gazzarri — Self
Bret Michaels — Self
Riki Rachtman — Self
Desi Benjamin — Self
Aaron Samson — Self

Directed: Penelope Spheeris

Production

Rating: 6.8 / 10 · 86 ratings
Studio: I.R.S. World Media

The Collection

The complete story, in order.

1981
The Decline of Western Civilization
Where it starts.
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
1988 · You’re here

If this stayed with you

Then these are the nearest things Cue holds — chosen for what they share with it, not for what happens to be popular.