Hard Rock Zombies / Slaughterhouse Rock (1985-1987) - Vinegar Syndrome

[DR Herbert West]

with the explosion of heavy metal and new wave music in the mid 1980s, it was inevitable that horror filmmakers would seize the opportunity to combine these popular musical stylings with blood and mayhem. While numerous such tie-ins were produced, none were as freaked out and gore soaked as this foot stomping duo, presented fully uncensored and newly restored on blu-ray from vinegar syndrome!

A heavy metal band has been invited to appear in a conservative small town. What they don’t know is that their hosts are in fact a family of horrific and murderous mutants, whose patriarch is none other than hitler! After being swiftly murdered, cassie, the only non-violent member of this depraved clan, wills the band back to life. Soon the stuffy townspeople are faced with an unwelcome reckoning as the zombified musicians thrash and maim their way through the community, in the name of grisly revenge…and love!

Without a doubt one of the most original zombie films in the history of the genre, krishna shah’s hard rock zombies is a dazzling blend of horror film and musical, filtered through experimental and arthouse cinema sensibilities. Jam packed with outrageous song and dance sequences juxtaposed with over-the-top violence and ludicrous plot twists, hard rock zombies comes to blu-ray for the first time ever, in its completely uncut composite version, sourced from the only known 35mm film elements with video inserts.

Alex, a college student, is being plagued by strange dreams in which a grotesque man commits heinous acts of torture and murder. With the help of his friends, alex discovers that he has an unexplained telepathic link to a notorious killer who once lived on alcatraz island and whose bloodlust extends beyond the grave. When his supernatural experiences begin taking on real life manifestations, alex and his friends sneak into the abandoned prison to put an end to their reign of terror, only to unwittingly walk into a bloodbath…

dispensing with any sense of narrative logic, dimitri logothetis’ slaughterhouse rock gleefully combines tracks from new wave musical sensations, devo, with plentiful gut-busting gore, and touches of humor, all set in the spooky, fog filled environs of the infamous alcatraz prison. This thrill filled neon-nightmare hits blu-ray from a brand new 4k restoration of its original 35mm camera negative, with its oft censored gore fully restored.

Directed by: Krishna shah, dimitri logothetis
starring: Toni basil, nicholas celozzi, tammy hyler, e.j. Curse
1985-1987 / 182 (combined) / 1.85:1 / english stereo

additional info:
• 2-disc blu-ray set
• reversible cover artwork
• english sdh subtitles for both films

hard rock zombies - info/extras:
• newly scanned & restored in 2k from 35mm archival elements
• “never say die” - a making-of documentary featuring interviews with the following actors: Ej curse, sam mann, geno andrews, mick mcmains, ted wells, richard vidan and david o’hara
• “popcorn farts and low budget cheese” - a featurette with special effects artists chris biggs and everett burrell
• “from bit player to band leader” - an interview with actress susette boggs
• “the bible of holy moses: Watching hard rock zombies through a fanatic’s eye" - an interview with author lucy hall

slaughterhouse rock info/extras:
• newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original negative
• “low-key horror” - an interview with cinematographer nicholas josef von sternberg
• “the girl that lives” - an interview with actress tammy hyler
• “wearing the right clothes” - an interview with actor nicholas celozzi
• “lunch break with claws” - an interview with actor al fleming
• original trailer

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Figures after I find a reasonably priced copy of the Code Red Slaughterhouse Rock last year, that VinSyn announces a new 4k resto!

Interesting to note that Hard Rock Zombies was never previously released on DVD and is thought to be with MGM, unless their rights expired and comes from the director's estate or the remains of Patel/Shah Film Company. The latter did one other movie, American Drive-In, which AFAIK is long out of circulation.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

Interesting to note that Hard Rock Zombies was never previously released on DVD and is thought to be with MGM, unless their rights expired and comes from the director's estate or the remains of Patel/Shah Film Company. The latter did one other movie, American Drive-In, which AFAIK is long out of circulation.

Not sure if it was legit, but Hard Rock Zombies was released on DVD in the US app. 18 years ago. I used to own it, but sold it off a long time back, so don't remember the quality, but I'm sure VS's will be much better. At least the HRZ old DVD wasn't from the usual bootleggers Jef Films, Cheezy Flix, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Rock-Zom.../dp/B0002TVX0K

[KikBrend]

"I just love a party!"

[KikBrend]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

Figures after I find a reasonably priced copy of the Code Red Slaughterhouse Rock last year

CR has a cropped version of the movie.

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

Hard Rock Zombies is thought to be with MGM

Nope.

[kosvines]

Hopefully we'll see Hard Rock Zombies in Europe, like maybe from 88 Films? I already have Slaughterhouse Rock on blu-ray. Even though it looks like a new scan, I'm not that fond the the film itself.

[TripleHBK]

This was an easy pre-order. I really like Slaughterhouse Rock and I have yet to see an 80's Heavy Metal Horror movie I didn't like and so Hard Rock Zombies had me interested right from the get go as that will be a first time viewing. I've already got the Code Red release of Slaughterhouse Rock but am expecting a fairly substantial jump in quality which should make that fun to revisit as well.

I am curious about this bit from the announcement... "with its oft censored gore fully restored"... was the Code Red release censored in any way? My first experience with the film was the Code Red release and so I had nothing to base it off of, but I don't recall anything standing out to me in regards to edits.

[jmilo61]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

This was an easy pre-order. I really like Slaughterhouse Rock and I have yet to see an 80's Heavy Metal Horror movie I didn't like and so Hard Rock Zombies had me interested right from the get go as that will be a first time viewing. I've already got the Code Red release of Slaughterhouse Rock but am expecting a fairly substantial jump in quality which should make that fun to revisit as well.

I am curious about this bit from the announcement... "with its oft censored gore fully restored"... was the Code Red release censored in any way? My first experience with the film was the Code Red release and so I had nothing to base it off of, but I don't recall anything standing out to me in regards to edits.

Probably this:

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=585914

[Sleazeaddict]

Now we just need rock n'roll nightmare

[Mushi Minion]

I’d love to know why VS decided to pair these two unrelated movies. Not complaining, it just seems like they’d do just fine as their own separate releases. Same with Schizo/X-Ray.

[Vixen of the Night]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

This was an easy pre-order. I really like Slaughterhouse Rock and I have yet to see an 80's Heavy Metal Horror movie I didn't like and so Hard Rock Zombies had me interested right from the get go as that will be a first time viewing. I've already got the Code Red release of Slaughterhouse Rock but am expecting a fairly substantial jump in quality which should make that fun to revisit as well.

I am curious about this bit from the announcement... "with its oft censored gore fully restored"... was the Code Red release censored in any way? My first experience with the film was the Code Red release and so I had nothing to base it off of, but I don't recall anything standing out to me in regards to edits.

Not much was cut. Two brief gore scenes and one dialogue scene. 21 seconds total.

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=585914


https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=966401

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by Sleazeaddict

Now we just need rock n'roll nightmare

As most probably already know given my years of asking for it on these boards, that and Black Roses are two of my most wanted titles.

[Dragun]

Originally Posted by Mushi Minion

I’d love to know why VS decided to pair these two unrelated movies. Not complaining, it just seems like they’d do just fine as their own separate releases. Same with Schizo/X-Ray.

With HRZ/SR, rock and horror are the common themes, and Schizoid/X-Ray are both Cannon Films.

[rillog]

I don't like the double features. Would have preferred single releases. No purchase.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by rillog

I don't like the double features. Would have preferred single releases. No purchase.

These each come on their own discs and the cover art will likely be Slaughter House Rock on one side and Hard Rock Zombies on the other. Scan the cover you want and then create 2 separate releases. I'm with you in that I like individual releases, but when doing double feature releases, this is the way to do them as folks can always move a second disc to a new case. I've done this with several of my Double features discs from Dread Central and Shout Factory.

[WZA]

I would have preferred something similar to the Scanner Cop double feature with each movie getting its own case/slipcover inside a larger box. VS is known for its lavish packaging after all.

Then again they're running out of movies to give legacy slipcovers, so maybe these double features are being set up to receive the legacy treatment in a few years (just kidding).

[Sleazeaddict]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

As most probably already know given my years of asking for it on these boards, that and Black Roses are two of my most wanted titles.

Yes black roses, Synapse is working on this one or am i wrong ?

There's also Don Edmond's Terror on tour, will be cool to have it on blu.

[nin74]

Originally Posted by jmilo61

Probably this:

https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=585914

I still have the old US laserdisc, I wonder if that also was the r-rated version.

[toodeepuntilnow]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

These each come on their own discs and the cover art will likely be Slaughter House Rock on one side and Hard Rock Zombies on the other. Scan the cover you want and then create 2 separate releases. I'm with you in that I like individual releases, but when doing double feature releases, this is the way to do them as folks can always move a second disc to a new case. I've done this with several of my Double features discs from Dread Central and Shout Factory.

Or, VS could provide two separate covers, one for each movie. It shouldn’t be my job to create a cover for a new movie I just purchased. Scanning, printing, cutting? Am I getting a discount for doing their work? No? Didn’t think so.

Ill also continue passing on all double features.

[DaveyJoe]

Originally Posted by toodeepuntilnow

Am I getting a discount for doing their work? No? Didn’t think so.

A double feature is $45 MSRP whereas two standalone releases would be $40 each so yeah double features are a lot cheaper for the customer.