In the mid to late 80s there was a moral crackdown, that in some ways has reincarnated itself even in today’s world, but it was focused on the panic that metal music corrupted the youth luring with fantastic imagery and basked in forbidden pleasures; so much that numerous television shows of then had Satanism as a topic rising in teens, and of course the preachers capitalized on it too. An organization entitled PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) forced the music industry to adopt a parental advisory warning, which only encourages more exploits of taboos spreading out in music and increase in record sales. This would eventually encompass the horror genre, both in literature and film, and the latter used the music to expand its base hence a marriage between both was formed. Hence, a series of truly low-budget horror metal influenced movies created, a strange niche sub-genre, while Hard Rock Zombies [1984] breached this new market first, the film Black Roses as well as Trick or Treat [1986] are considered the forefront of the eighties’ productions, though for the modern audience many likely point to Deathgasm [2015]. Director John Fasano, who incidentally first made Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare [1987], presented an interesting yet silly at times intersection of rock music as a tool of evilness and hero-worship. The film shows the diabolical nature of the Satanic power to corrupt the youth and nurture sinful and sinister mannerisms through various imagery and the music itself. Therefore, Fasano with screenwriter Cindy Cirile, used what the media presented as a backlash, taking hints from Satanism and the idolizing of bands’ posters it in a twisted fascination of hero-worship to replace the innocence of their youth. Although, one cannot merely glance over of Cirile’s script, she like the director found the influences of satanic panic to be intriguing for a basis of horror movie, so much so that one of the characters Mrs. Miller (Julie Adams, (Creature from the Black Lagoon [1954])) is based from Tipper Gore founder of PMRC and Cardinal O’Connor using his claim from 1990 that “…heavy metal led to demonic possession…”

The story starts in a town called Mill Basin which is a small community near the US-Canadian border with two Lamborghinis pulling up and posting flyers for the studio-only based band Black Roses to do 4-days of concerts before embarking on a world tour. Although the parents are displeased with this announcement objecting to the moral corruption, offensive lyrics, and Devil Disciples, the Mayor Neal Farnsworth (Ken Swofford (Terror at London Bridge [1985])) thinks it’s all poppycock and it’s the modern version of The Beatles reactions onto the elders of then. As the band takes the stage, teens sit by while parents, teachers and others sit in the back but shockingly approve as the lead singer Damien (Sal Viviano (The Jitters [1989]))  looks like a young Michael Bolton and sings a power ballad ‘We’re on Our Way to Paradise’ townsfolks leave with no worries, their fears laid to rest; suddenly the lights blackout and Damien rips into a leather outfit and the sounds turns aggressive with ‘Rock Invasion.’ Quickly enough the teens receive the influences from the music and begin to change, the guys turn aggressive, and the girls become more seductive, they leave their morals behind and embrace freewill lifestyle. Soon the concerts turn into a weird form of a supposedly Satanic Mass (not really, and poor set design) but a song ‘Soldiers of the Night’ implies it. Meanwhile, as customary in these types of movies to have someone of seeing the dangers and confront the evil, is caring teachers Matt Moorhouse (John Martin), who attempts throughout the flick to teach the importance of poetry similar song lyrics. However, by the third act the band is revealed as bizarre looking demons seeking to capture the teens’ souls and domination/enslavement of the world’s youth for their manager, (I mean) Satan. The body count ratchets up quickly sadly with quick kill scenes among those school guidance counselor and Matt’s friend Priscilla (Carla Ferrigno), as well as plenty of parents and a goofy fight-sequence of demon-creature via tennis racket, (um yeah … I know) unintentionally hilarious.

As I mentioned, the killing/violence mannerisms by the guys and girls is vastly different – the guys it feels unbridled using the primordial aspect of the mind as a tactic of revenge for misjudging by their parents. One parent (Vincent Pastore (Clinton Road [2019])) belittles his son, Tony (Tony Bua (Zombie Nightmare [1987])) for wearing an earring by implying he’s less than a ‘man’ finds out its stereo speakers can feed. Another teen named Johnny, commits murder for lack of attention, it merely shows the insane reason for the murders, though it goes deeper as the youth was already ostracized by the town’s elders which feed into the power of Black Roses. Remembering for a moment it’s the late 80s and the horror film is geared to the male teenager market explains why the girl teens are seen using themselves more as sexual objects. For example, Tina (Robin Stewart) causes Mr. Miller to have a heart attack by seducing him by stripping while the song “Take it Off” by King Kobra playing in the background hence the usage of song and imagery lasting in the minds of the viewer’s gaze. While once timid and shy Julie (Karen Planden) performs an odd self-love to a picture of Damien and the proceeds to rid life of incestuous stepfather (Paul Kelman (My Bloody Valentine [1981])) and later her demonic side attempts mate with her original love interest Matt, in a highly suggestive position. in fact, Janey (Pat Strelioff) too kills, all three using to seductive skills to commit infamous acts, as Black Roses’ music empowers them to have the freedom to express their sexual delights without fear of repercussions or as objectification from others. Nevertheless, this is one of the rare films in the horror genre where evil doesn’t die, shows that Satan’s devilish influence shall continue.

There’s also two other interesting points first it is very subtle and perhaps only aware to a few, until now, in Matt’s classroom the lesson is about Leaves of Grass (1855) poetry from Walt Whitman which was considered obscene highly demoralizing as some often quote passages of it, similar to what one does with song lyrics. This reference of how the parents condone anything they dislike or questions their authority to become censored or banned just as many Whitman’s work removed from society’s eyes. The other tidbit is the literal connections to evil, with references to ‘down there’ or ‘watching your soul’ or fiery remarks and a bubbling vinyl record with the word ‘Death’ showing the demonic influence. In addition, there’s clothing aspect most of the teens are wearing bright colors at the beginning of the film, but was they are corrupted begin to dress in black, a slight nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s character Marion Crane in Psycho [1960]. The music soundtrack is a rarity to be found, feature drummer Carmine Appice in the Black Roses band, with songs more in line with hard rock from Bang Tango and King Kobra then metal though the theme song ‘Me Against the World’ is performed by Lizzy Borden and ‘D.I.E.’ from Hallow’s Eve.

The demons are beyond silly, puppets, and the Damien demon transformation is very shoddy at one-point appears as if his demon head goes from puffy to hit by a shovel and flattened like a platypus. The film contains many clichés, several tropes, however one that is interesting to the ‘killer children’ or ‘evil-children’ they used as the primary force against all authority figures who are the victims in the film; hence it shares this trait with Children of the Corn [1984] as well as an outsider’s corrupting moral influence. The movie showcases poor production values in terms of special effects, still holds a respectable rating amongst fans and likely still known for a very good soundtrack, and yet some parental groups still use the film as a means to convey their displeasure with metal music and horror films.

Nevertheless, it’s good movie, if you’re willing to accept the faults, and seeing Pastore making his film debut can’t be a detrimental factor, while noting some the points still can convey into today’s world if you replace the metal music theme with something else. Noting each generation will rebel in some manner, by either accepting a situation or changeling the status quo which feels is best summed up by singer Joanne McDuffie telling Rolling Stone Magazine ‘The quickest way to get your children interested in something is to try and keep it from them.’ Simply it didn’t work with Eve and the apple, nothing is going to stop the exploration, so begin that journey here.

TAGLINES:

• Turn up the volume, turn down the lights, but don’t watch it alone!
• Live for one night only … that’s all they ever need.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094752/

IMDb Rating: 5.2/10

Baron’s Rating: 5.0/10