Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 5, 2022

Continuing their journey into the wilds of genre entertainment from the 1980s, Vinegar Syndrome issues a double feature experience with 1985’s “Hard Rock Zombies” and 1987’s “Slaughterhouse Rock.”

Click here for a review of Hard Rock Zombies

Click here for a review of Slaughterhouse Rock

Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Hard Rock Zombies

• "Hard Rock Zombies Never Say Die" (66:09, HD) is a making-of featurette for the endeavor, featuring interviews with actors E.J. Curse, Sam Mann, Geno Andrews, Mick McMains, Ted Wells, Richard Vidan, and David O'Hara. The men came to "Hard Rock Zombies" with backgrounds in music and acting, with most taking a chance on director Krishna Shah despite a largely negative reaction to the screenplay. Conceived as a segment for "American Drive-In," "Hard Rock Zombies" was turned into its own picture, and the interviewees share memories of cast camaraderie, with Mann a major handful for the production, refusing to behave. Anecdotes are provided, including time with spider wrangling, makeup woes, and lack of payment, with Mann actually stealing the lone print of the movie to shake some money out of Shah. Premiere memories are offered, and post-movie life is explored.

• "Popcorn Farts and Low Budget Cheese" (21:21, HD) is an interview with effects artists Chris Biggs and Everett Burrell. The men (interviewed separately) examine their early career ambition, with Biggs going from "Star Wars" fandom to working with Roger Corman. Along the way he met John Carl Buechler, and eventually took an 18-year-old Burrell under his wing, building a working friendship. "Hard Rock Zombies" is described as a "very quick and very dirty" gig, and anecdotes about on-set life are shared, including tarantula wrangling and Biggs's introduction to stunt work. The cult longevity of "Hard Rock Zombies" is analyzed, with the interviewees genuinely surprised that anyone cares about the film.

• "From Bit Player to Band Leader" (10:46, HD) is an interview with actress Susette Boggs, who details her move from New York to Los Angeles, trying her luck in the movie business. Boggs was also a musician, finding work as a drummer, which helped her to connect with music producer Paul Sabu. Putting the band Precious Metal together, Boggs found some success in the industry, still playing gigs today. On-set memories are offered, including cast camaraderie, and Boggs's reaction to "Hard Rock Zombies" is presented, happy to be part of a campy horror film.

• "The Bible of Holy Moses" (10:29, HD) is an appreciation piece from superfan Lucy Hall, who's currently putting a book about her favorite camp rock films together. Hall is absolutely devoted to "Hard Rock Zombies," claiming the feature is a "dark humor masterpiece" and critics "don't get it." Hall's enthusiasm is duly noted.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Slaughterhouse Rock

• "The Girl That Lives" (19:26, HD) is an interview with actress Tammy Hyler, who tracks her move from Arizona to Los Angeles to figure out an acting career, finding work with an agency. She shares her audition story, and details time with her co-stars, making longstanding friendships during the shoot, while also remaining incredibly starstruck around Toni Basil. Hyler shares her memories of working around explosives, and recalls the premiere of "Slaughterhouse Rock," attending the screening with her dear friend, Patricia Arquette. The interviewee goes into depth about her current role as a producer in Nashville, putting together films such as "Like a Country Song," keeping her involved in the industry.

• "Lunch Break with Claws" (19:13, HD) is an interview with actor Al Fleming, who also provided makeup effects for "Slaughterhouse Rock." Before he was hired for the gig, Fleming had to figure out the look of the monster, offering the producers plenty of options. He still has pieces of the finished suit today, presenting fans with a look at the facepiece and arms. Living life as a creature, the interviewee goes into the demands of the part, unable to eat and easily use the restroom while locked inside the suit, and his eyes would often struggle with contact lenses and smoke effects. Co-stars are recalled and director Dimitri Logothetis is assessed. Technical challenges with makeup are also examined.

• "Wearing the Right Clothes" (15:55, HD) is an interview with actor Nicholas Celozzi, who received a call from his agent about the part, basically lucking into his first lead role in a motion picture after a few years on television. Celozzi details the extensive sets and cold locations found during the shoot, and goes into some detail about his co-stars, including a reveal that Tammy Hyler was dating director Dimitri Logothetis during production. The interviewee didn't have much of a barometer for success, but he was delighted to meet Madonna, who knew what the movie was during their conversation in 1988. Oddly, Celozzi's chat appears to have been recorded with a handheld camera inside a diner, leading to a bit of shakiness that's unusual to find on a Blu-ray supplementary offering.

• "Low-Key Horror" (11:12, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Nicholas von Sternberg, who doesn't have much to share about the making of "Slaughterhouse Rock," with his memory of the shoot limited. He does recall some innovation required to deliver style, capturing a few shots on roller skates. Long hours and time with fire is offered, and the interviewee is happy the feature has found its way to a more film-like format after years on VHS and YouTube.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:08, HD) is included.

Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Both "Slaughterhouse Rock" and "Hard Rock Zombies" have their creative limitations, but Vinegar Syndrome packs the double feature release with a large selection of informative supplements, and they strive to restore "Hard Rock Zombies" back to its original R-rated intent, working to offer fans a more violent version of the movie they've previously been denied.