Decline trilogy gets box set release

Penelope Spheeris’ iconic documentaries focusing on the US punk and metal scene are to be released as a box set in on June 30.

The original Decline Of Western Civilization was released in 1980 and highlighted the hardcore-punk scene in Los Angeles.

Second instalment The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years followed in 1988 featuring artists including Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Faster Pussycat, Poison and Kiss. It famously featured WASP guitarist Chris Holmes drinking in his mother’s pool and Ozzy Osbourne cooking bacon in a leopard-print dressing gown.

The final film followed 10 years later and concentrated on homeless gutter punks in LA.

Spheeris says: “I’m so grateful to the fans of these films and the bands that appeared in them for their loyalty and patience. This is my life’s work. I like to think that when I go to my grave, The Decline is what I’ll be remembered for.”

The anthology will be released on DVD and Blu-ray via Shout! Factory and comes with a bonus disc featuring a commentary by Foo Fighters mainman Dave Grohl, previously unreleased footage, performances, interviews and the original trailers. A 40-page book will also be bundled with the package.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.