30 September Slashers: Day 14-New Year’s Evil

Sometimes the music of a horror film can be just as important as what is occurring on screen.  Nowhere else can this be more apparent than in the 80’s punk influenced horror film.  The godfather of them all is the 1985 Dan O’Bannon classic Return of the Living Dead.  I don’t think anyone can argue that “Party Time” by 45 Grave has become an anthem for horror fans.  However, 5 years before Trash was doin’ the cemetery dance, a very popular punk rock slasher was makin’ it’s way to the big screen. Tonight, lets break out the champagne and countdown for New Years Evil.

Day 14: New Years Resolution, Don’t Die……New Years Evil!!

It’s New Years Eve and “Blaze” is hosting a televised countdown from a hotel and she will be multicast all over the United States.  The room is filled to the brim with leather jackets, as people slam around while listening to the fictional bands Big In Japan and Shadow.  Unfortunately for ole Blaze and some unsuspecting victims, a crazed caller named “Evil” has plans to murder a different person each time the clock strikes midnight across the country, with Blaze scheduled as the final victim.

Fun music aside, one of the biggest things that sets this slasher apart from others is that the audience accompanies “Evil” through his killings.  He is unmasked and approaches his victims with a charismatic approach, unlike his colleagues who tend to creep in the shadows with bags or some sort of mask on their heads.  While not as brutal or serious as Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, the two films are similar in that the killer does not look like the typical “boogie man.”  Only at the end does the audience learn who the killer is and it is truly a shocking surprise.

I would highly recommend checking this one out but unlike the last two films covered in 30 September Slashers, this film is highly accessible.  The film can be streamed on Netflix and is also available from time to time on the Online/On Demand Fearnet Channel.  I only imagine that copyright infringements or some other bullshit have held this film up from having an official DVD release but at least we are able to see it in another form other than VHS.  Tomorrow we will continue our fun filled slasher fest but I will be doing two things a little different.  One: The unreleased film tomorrow can only partially be considered a slasher film in that it features clips from some of our favorite slashers(I thought we could use a slight detour) and Two: 30 September Slashers will host it’s first contest!!  So baton down the hatches and get ready for the Donald Pleasence hosted horror fest Terror in the Aisles!!!

New Year’s Evil on Netflix