The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

Friday, August 8 - Saturday, August 16, 2025

From the director of Decline of Western Civilization and Suburbia comes the ultimate film about the world of heavy metal, THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART Il: THE METAL YEARS. Interviews with some of the music industry’s hardest rockers, like Aerosmith, Kiss, Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne. Performances by Faster Pussycat, Lizzy Borden, London, Odin and Megadeth.
 
In the mid 80’s a new scene took over the Los Angeles nightlife–Heavy Metal. Loud, rude, sexy, sexist and anti-authoritarian. Penelope Spheeris’ THE METAL YEARS takes an in-depth look at rabid fans, desperate groupies, wanna-be rock stars that go so far as to threaten suicide if they don’t “make it.” The film also portrays the harsh reality of the music business, where everyone’s dream to become a star can’t possibly come true. It’s a real life “Spinal Tap” that makes us look back and ask, “What the hell were we doing?”

Screening as part of Late Night Favorites: Summer 2025

• Country USA
• Year 1988
• Running Time 93 minutes
• Format DCP
• Distributor Avatar Films
• Director Penelope Spheeris
• Cast Ozzy Osbourne, Steven Tyler, Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper, Bret Michaels
• Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

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