‘Turn up the volume, turn down the lights, but don’t watch it alone!’
Black Roses is a 1988 Canadian/American supernatural horror film co-produced and directed by John Fasano (The Jitters; Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare) from a screenplay by Cindy Cirile [as Cindy Sorrell].
The Shapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment production stars John Martin, Ken Swofford, Julie Adams, Carla Ferrigno, Sal Viviano and Carmine Appice.
Plot:
The sleepy little town of Mill Basin is about to get more than it bargained for. The satanic heavy metal rock band Black Roses is coming through to raise hell… literally! After making a deal with the Devil himself, the band’s music demonically possesses the kids in the audience, turning them into bloodthirsty demons. The blood flows as they start killing their parents and causing chaos at their local high school…
“Black Roses is cheap and silly in the best possible ways, but also remarkably professional and continually engaging […] Though the film shows very little respect for metal fans, it’s fun to see the worst nightmares come true instead of patiently explaining the virtues of heavy metal yet again!” Mike McPadden, Heavy Metal Movies book
Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Trailer:
Free on YouTube:
Cast and characters:
John Martin … Matthew Moorhouse
Ken Swofford … Mayor Farnsworth
Sal Viviano … Damian
Julie Adams … Mrs Miller
Frank Dietz … Johnny Pratt / Demon Guitarist
Carla Ferrigno … Priscilla Farnsworth
Carmine Appice … Vinny Apache
Tony Bua … Tony Ames (as Anthony C. Bua)
Karen Planden … Julie Windham
David Crichton … Mr Miller (as Dave Crichton)
Jesse D’Angelo … Jason Miller
Keith Miller … Doctor Marshall (as Kieth Miller)
Paul Kelman … Julie’s Stepdad
Robin Stewart … Tina
Patricia Strelioff … Janey Miller
Release:
Black Roses was given a limited release theatrically in the United States on November 1, 1988. It was subsequently released on VHS by Imperial Entertainment Corp.
Released on DVD in the United States by Synapse Films in 2007. Special features include:
Audio Commentary With Director John Fasano, Writer Cindy Sorrell, Star Carla Ferrigno and Others
Rare Original Cannes Film Festival Promo
Audition Videotape Excerpts
Original Theatrical Promotion Trailer
The soundtrack was released on CD by Metal Blade Records.
Bang Tango – “I’m A Stranger”
Black Roses – “Dance on Fire”
Black Roses – “Soldiers of the Night”
Black Roses – “Rock Invasion”
Black Roses – “Paradise (We’re on Our Way)”
David Michael-Phillips – “King of Kool”
Hallow’s Eve – “D.I.E.”
King Kobra – “Take It Off”
Lizzy Borden – “Me Against the World”
Tempest – “Streetlife Warrior”
Censorship:
In the UK, the BBFC censored the VHS release by 31 seconds to avoid the corruption of young minds and rioting in the streets.
