Colorful, campy hair metal horror

This is straight-to-video rock/metal horror with a little camp and cheesy effects mixed with some pretty serious evil. It only cost $100,000, which is amazing because it's quite entertaining despite its low-budget limitations. It's not as good as "Trick or Treat" (1986), but it's far superior to Jon Mikl Thor's "Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare" (1987) which had half the budget.

Stephen Quadros is reminiscent of Kevin Bacon and works well as the dark rock star. Meanwhile the flick scores well on the female front with the youthful Traci Lords, Gina Parks (Marilyn), Laurel Wiley (Monique), Karen Russell (Michelle), Kathleen Kane (Pizza Girl #2) and a couple others, e.g. Madison Monk (Jimmi Wolf). Several of these women have no qualms about showing their breasts (although not Lords) so, if that offends you, you might want to pass.

Standing-in for Angel Martin (Quadros), Michael Angelo Batio of Nitro performed the guitar wizardry, which wasn't sped up, it's just how great he is. Four original songs were recorded for the movie, written by director Mark Freed and Robert Decker: "Virgin Girl," "I'm In Love with a Slut," "Casualty Rap" and "Get a Band."

"Shock 'Em Dead" was shot in the Hollywood area in 1990 at the tail-end of the 80's hair metal movement and totally looks it, not to mention makes fun of it (like the singer's one-piece red outfit). A mere eight months after the film's debut Nirvana released their uber-successful NEVERMIND in late September, 1991, which changed the musical landscape overnight. Hair metal was out and grunge rock was in, immediately dating the flick.

I suppose many people would consider this 'bad' due to its cheesy late 80's hair metal vibe, but it entertains and has some surprisingly well done bits, like the creepy Voodoo woman and elements of the deal-with-the-devil angle. Plus, despite some campiness early on, there are some scary thrills. And the rockin' music ain't bad either.