"YouTube now offers free streaming of The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, focusing on the heavy metal music scene"
In the vibrant and chaotic world of 1980s Los Angeles, filmmaker Penelope Spheeris captured the essence of the heavy metal scene with her groundbreaking documentary, "The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years."
This film, which first premiered in 1988, offers a raw and often surreal portrayal of the era, featuring live performances by some of the biggest names in metal, including Megadeth, Faster Pussycat, Lizzy Borden, London, Odin, and Seduce.
One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is the candid interview with Ozzy Osbourne, where he stands in front of an ordinary-looking house, delivering lines that capture his personality and the metal culture of the 1980s. However, it's important to note that this scene, like some others, was manipulated by Spheeris for dramatic effect. For instance, the spilling of the orange juice in the scene with Ozzy Osbourne was faked, and his performances in the movie were not filmed at his real home.
Another noteworthy moment is Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P. giving a drunken interview while floating in a pool, a scene that exemplifies the excess and chaos of the metal lifestyle portrayed in the film. Spheeris found Holmes fascinating despite his unconventional behaviour during the interview.
The documentary also includes contributions from other heavyweights of the metal world, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Kiss, and Aerosmith, providing a broad perspective on the metal scene at that time.
"The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years" is still available for free on YouTube, offering a unique glimpse into the mid-late 1980s Los Angeles heavy metal scene. It's a testament to Spheeris's ability to create iconic scenes that resonate even today.
Interestingly, the third part of the "Decline" trilogy, released in 1998, takes a different turn, exploring the traumatic lives of "gutter-punks" battling skinhead gangs and the LAPD.
Spheeris's movies, including "The Decline Of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years," are known for their enduring impact and the memorable scenes they've produced. Ozzy Osbourne, in particular, is remembered as one of the funniest people by Spheeris, despite the unorthodox nature of some of his on-screen moments.
Whether you're a fan of heavy metal or just interested in the history of music and culture, "The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years" is a must-watch. It offers a unique and unfiltered look into a pivotal moment in music history.
- The documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years" features live performances by bands such as Megadeth, Faster Pussycat, and Seduce, showcasing the essence of the 1980s heavy metal scene.
- The movie offers a raw and surreal portrayal of the era, with a memorable interview scene between Penelope Spheeris and Ozzy Osbourne, capturing the metal culture of the 1980s in a humorous and unconventional manner.
- Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P. delivers a drunken interview from a pool in the documentary, exemplifying the excess and chaos of the metal lifestyle.
- Spheeris's documentary features contributions from heavyweights in the metal world, like Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Kiss, and Aerosmith, providing a broad perspective on the metal scene.
- "The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years" is available for free on YouTube, offering a unique glimpse into the mid-late 1980s Los Angeles heavy metal scene.
- The third part of the "Decline" trilogy, released in 1998, explores the traumatic lives of "gutter-punks" battling skinhead gangs and the LAPD, showcasing a different side of the Spheeris's filmmaking.
- Ozzy Osbourne is remembered as one of the funniest people by Spheeris, despite the unorthodox nature of some of his on-screen moments, demonstrating the enduring impact of Spheeris's movies on the history of music and culture.
