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The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

Documentary · Music · 1988

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..

Movie details

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

“It's more than music...it's a way of life.”

1988 Documentary · Music 1h 33m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

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..

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Penelope Spheeris

Dave Mustaine

Dave Mustaine

Self

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne

Self

Chris Holmes

Chris Holmes

Self

Lemmy Kilmister

Lemmy Kilmister

Self

Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley

Self

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons

Self

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler

Self

Court is in session

Put The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.