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The Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years
Plot Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons, and Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Steven Tyler are among the Heavy Metal artists interviewed in The Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years. This follow-up to filmmaker Penelope Spheeris' classic 1981 "punk" documentary The Decline of Western Civilization is a bit more reflective and word-dominated than its predecessor, but no less entertaining. One striking aspect of the film is its before-and-after comparisons of the impact of MTV. Heavy Metal newcomers tend to overpraise the cable service, while the "oldsters" implicitly decry the mainstreaming-and in some cases, homogenizing--of their best work. Interestingly, Spheeris' own style has become more mainstream in the years since Decline of Western Civilization, thanks to experience gleaned on such dramatic films as Hollywood Vice Squad (1986) and Dudes (1987).

Similar Works
We Sold Our Souls For Rock 'N' Roll  (2001, Penelope Spheeris)
This Is Spinal Tap  (1984, Rob Reiner)
The Return of Spinal Tap 
Rock Star  (2001, Stephen Herek)
Won't Anybody Listen  (2001, Dov Kelemer)
Standing By Yourself  (2002, Josh Koury)
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster  (2003, Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky)
Waking Up Dead  (2004, Fabio Jafet)
Airheads  (1994, Michael Lehmann)
Rock Survivors 
Other Related Works
 Is followed by:    The Decline of Western Civilization - Part III  (1998, Penelope Spheeris)
 Is related to:    Ozzy Osbourne: Bark at the Moon 
   Ozzy Osbourne: The Ultimate Ozzy 
   Detroit Rock City  (1999, Adam Rifkin)
 Is preceded by:    The Decline of Western Civilization  (1981, Penelope Spheeris)