Director Penelope Spheeris returns to her musical-documentary roots with another fluidly-structured of the fringes of youth culture. The first DECLINE covered the punk scene; this time around, she investigates the world of heavy metal music. Filmed between August 1987 and February 1988,
it mixes concert footage and surprisingly open interviews with struggling musicians, their fans, and many of the genre's successes. As they discuss fame, sex, and money, Spheeris gives a cynically humorous spin to their heavily-permed dreams of imminent stardom.
The definition of heavy is given by fans and musicians, while additional commentary comes from more recognizable names,...
Released:
1988
Rated:
R
Length:
93 mins