Rockill

My review was written in October 1986 after watching the film on Vestron video cassette.

"Rocktober Blood" is a 1984 horror picture, now available in home video stores, that fits into the unsuccessful genre of films that tried to combine this genre with rock music (e.g., "Terror on Tour", "Blood Tracks").

Tray Loren portrays Billy Eye, a rock star in the KISS vein, who goes on a bloody rampage one night at the recording studio and is executed for his murderous crimes. Two years later, his protege Lynn (Donna Scoggins), who testified against him in the muder case, is a successful rock star with the group Rocktober Blood. She is terrorized repeatedly by a mysterious figure who she thinks is Billy Eye back from the grave. Mystery is resolved on stage at the climax of the group's' tour.

Pic is standard slasher fare, with a diverting music track, the usual flow of blood and little in the way of originality. Made by the filmmaking team of Ferd and Beverly Sebastian, "Rocktober" has Beverly taking a solo directing credit, which they usually share.

A true 80's slasher classic with all the trimmings. The over the top absurd kills (an iron held to the throat) with lots of nudity and even aerobics in leotards. It doesn't get any better than this.

If you watch the DVD version there is a part after the movie which shows how the director and his wife rescue Greyhounds now.

This film has one good thing about it, the rock band Sorcery did the sound track and appears at the end of the flick.

A Los Angeles metal band loses its vocalist after he goes mad in the studio. Two years later the new group is successful with a female singer (Donna Scoggins), but the specter of the former vocalist haunts them... literally. Could it be that he's still alive and their lives are in danger?

"Rocktober Blood" (1984) mixes horror and heavy metal in the mold of the great "Trick or Treat" (1986), the entertaining "Shock 'Em Dead" (1991) and the decent "Black Roses" (1988). It's not quite as good as those, but it's the first of its kind and definitely superior to Jon Mikl Thor's "Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare" (1987) (which has to be cut some slack since it only cost a paltry $53,000).

The opening 25 minutes and ending 25 minutes are quite entertaining for this type of flick, but the entire midsection - about 40 minutes - needed better writing/suspense to keep the viewer's interest. As it is, it's just boring stalking scenes in the woods or in a house with a phone ringing, not to mention the obligatory dig-up the grave sequence.

The singer of the band is actor Tray Loren, who looks like Mike Reno of Loverboy. He lip-syncs songs written by the real-life group Sorcery, the members of whom appear as drummer, bassist and two guitarists of the fictional band Headmistress. Sorcery can also be heard/seen in the 1978 flick "Stunt Rock," but I think their material for "Rocktober Blood" is superior to their older stuff, at least the songs "I'm Back" and "Killer on the Loose," which are top-of-the-line for this style of early 80's hard rock/metal.

The Pat Benatar-like Donna Scoggins is not only the protagonist, but also the focus of the camera in regards to feminine allure with the exception of her two aerobics work-out pals. She's a'right (and appears nude a couple of times), but IMHO she's easily the least appealing of the three.

While this isn't quite on the level of "Trick or Treat," "Shock 'Em Dead" or even "Black Roses," it's decent enough if you're in the mood for colorful early 80's slasher meshed with 80's metal. It's way superior to "Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare" and must be given props for being the first of its kind. Just persevere with the tedious midsection.

The movie runs about 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Hollywood and Lake Tahoe.

GRADE: B-

Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of Rocktober Blood; here's the breakdown of my ratings:

Story: 0.50 Direction: 1.00 Pace: 1.00 Acting: 1.25 Enjoyment: 1.50

TOTAL: 5.25 out of 10.00

As "Leave your brains at the door" movies go, Rocktober Blood is one of the better ones. And it comes down to a single simple reason - the Rock'N'Roll man! The Rock'N'Roll!

Regrettably, everything else is forgettable folderol. The tale the writing team of Ferd and Beverly Sebastian tell is that of Rock God, Billy "Eye" Harper. After the opening credits roll, we watch as Billy slaughters the help at the recording studio. The peculiar thing is he doesn't kill anyone of import. It would've been excellent if they could've added some backstory to this character. He appears to be your stereotypical Music Daeva. Then he's all stabby-stabby - why? Well, forget the reasons because the Sebastians don't proffer this information. But don't worry because he gets his just deserts for these dastardly deeds and is summerily tried, judged, and executed. But as with most films of this ilk, death is far from the end, and two years later, as Rocktober Blood prepare for their concert, Billy slashes his way back on stage. I liked this concept, but it needed more weight to its characterisations. Most individuals are a tad above two-dimensional, but you're not empathetic towards them. The story feels cobbled together to push the band and the record label - owned by The Sebastians (unless I misread the end credits).

It's Beverly who then takes the director's chair. And though her direction isn't terrible, it is on the average side. When you think the end segment of the movie is a rock concert, I would've considered handing over the reins to a Music Video director. Some of those guys and gals possessed a decent imagination and creativity, but most of all, they were adept at the quick cut to boost up the pace of the video. And that is the one noticeable downside to Rocktober Blood; the tempo is too slow. It needed to be fast and exciting, like the music the band blasted out - and slower for the stalking scenes. Otherwise, she makes good use of her sets, locations, and lighting. And the final shot is a pure money shot.

The cast is average. None are outstanding, and most rest on the verge of going wooden. But when Trey Loren as Billy "Eye" Harper opens his mouth and wails, angels' ears bleed. That's if it's Loren who's singing. Another plus is The Band. Because if Loren can sing, The Band can play.

On the whole, this Dark Thriller isn't too thrilling until The Band Plays On. As such, Rocktober Blood is a film for 80s Metal Heads - of which I can proudly say, I Am One. So it's no wonder this flick has found a place in my Rock'N'Roul soul. But I can understand it's not everybody's cup of cha.

Bill-y, Bill-y, Bill-y, Bill-y. I'm glad you're back, but before you carve your signature across my chest with that mike stand, take a look at my IMDb lists - Killer Thriller Chillers and Guilty Pleasures and see where I rated Rocktober Blood. Okay, Billy! Carve away!

Take Care & Stay Well.