Filmmaking couple Ferd and Beverly Sebastian tap into the then-hot idea of combining heavy metal and horror, with fair results. Tray Loren stars as "Billy Eye" Harper, leader of a band who goes on an insane killing spree. The testimony of his lover / backup singer Lynn Starling (Donna Scoggins) helps get him convicted and executed. Two years later, she's now the leader of his band, and she believes that he's returned from the grave to kill all of his former associates. Naturally, nobody believes HER, thinking that it's time for her to return to psychiatric care.
"Rocktober Blood" has a good title, but it's basically adequate at best. Obviously done on a limited budget, it doesn't look or sound great. The acting is passable right across the board, although some of the sexy ladies do get undressed for the camera, and Loren does look like he's having fun as the psycho antagonist. Director Beverly builds up some okay atmosphere, but the pacing is overall on the plodding side, and this goes on longer than it really should. The theatricality of the band is generally amusing, and the gore is decent if not spectacular. The ending is not terribly satisfying.
On the plus side, the songs are actually pretty good. If you're a fan of the metal genre, you may catch yourself banging your head in appreciation.
This is not one I would recommend you go out of your way to see, but it yields okay entertainment for any slasher completist.
Six out of 10.
