Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (a.k.a. The Edge of Hell) is a 1987 horror film directed by John Fasano, and starring Canadian bodybuilder/heavy metal singer Jon-Mikl Thor as, well, a heavy metal singer named John Triton. Whose band also happens to be called the Tritonz.
The Tritonz are on their way to an isolated farmhouse in Canada, much to almost everyone's chagrin, but for band leader and lead singer John Triton, it's all in the best interests of creating music with the least possible distraction. But instead of having lots of time to record a little music and make sure it's perfect, the band runs into all sorts of distractions — those of the sexual nature, but mainly those of the demonic nature.
Like a good many horror films, Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare has an unusual Twist Ending, and has also developed a cult following as a "metalsploitation" film with all the requisite '80s Hair Metal stereotypes in spades. Director John Fasano also helmed another such film a year later, the similarly schlocky Black Roses.
WE LIVE, WE LIVE TO TROPE!
- Author Appeal: This is the first of the late John Fasano's two heavy metal-themed schlockfests from the late '80s, the second one being Black Roses.
- Better Living Through Evil: Stig post-possession. He becomes a better, smoother drummer, becomes a sex machine, and loses the bad, obviously put-on Australian accent.
- The Ditz: Stig and Lou Anne.
- Dumb and Drummer: Before getting possessed, Stig is the band's comic relief. Bad Aussie accent, not good in bed, not much finesse or skill on the drums, not much up there either.
- The '80s: It's a metalsploitation film with big hair, groupies, and keyboard-laden hair metal! What do you expect?
- Failed a Spot Check: As noted by The Rageaholic, the Twist Ending hinges on The Devil not realizing John Triton is THE INTERCESSOR and the Tritonz aren't really a metal band until it's too late...which he could have figured out in about five seconds if he bothered to visit a record store in disguise and ask around.
- Final Battle: The Intercessor takes on the Devil, a.k.a. "'Bub" and his flying starfish of doom.
- Final Girl: Subverted. Randi appears to be the last surviving woman in the film, but she transforms into Beelzebub, leading to John's big reveal.
- Happily Married: Roger and Mary.
- Leave the Camera Running: That driving scene early in the movie, with a repetitive riff playing on the van's radio.The Rageaholic: This scene dragged on for so goddamn so long I could feel myself age.
- Malaproper: The caretaker of the farmhouse says the likes of Alice Blooper, Bob Stewart, and RCS Records have been there.
- Moment Killer: Max falling asleep on Dee Dee. They do, however, eventually get to get it on.
- Named After Somebody Famous: Roger. Apparently, his surname is Eburt.
- Nap-Inducing Speak: Guitarist Max, who's admittedly "wiped out," falls asleep as keyboardist Dee Dee drones on about how much she enjoys being in the band. With a vaguely gothic version of "Brahm's Lullaby" playing in the background.
- Nobody Loves the Bassist: Bassist Roger is the first band member killed. Averted, though, if in the context of his being the only married band member.
- Not Even Bothering with the Accent: Stig, ostensibly an Australian, starts speaking in a rather neutral North American accent after he gets possessed by a demon.
- Oh, Crap!: The Devil's shocked "WHAT?" upon learning that he was merely possessing and killing off shadows created by Triton/The Intercessor.
- Product Placement: Coke
. Lots of Coke. And not the kind that rock stars loved to consume back in the day. - Stay in the Kitchen: While John and the boys "tune their weapons" in the studio, the girls head off to "dish duty" in the kitchen.
- Team Dad: John Triton.
- Team Mom: John Triton's girlfriend Randi.
- Twist Ending: Save for John Triton, none of the band members, girlfriends/wives, or anyone else who set foot in the farmhouse are real. They're just shadows created to "entertain" 'Bub and his minions, stereotypes from horror movies meant to lure the Devil into the Final Battle. For John Triton...is an archangel known as THE INTERCESSOR!
- What the Hell Is That Accent?: Reviewers have been especially harsh toward the actor playing Stig's attempts at an Aussie accent.
- X Treme Kool Letterz: The band is called Tritonz.
