Watch Hollywood Vampires’ New Documentary Trailer ‘Unleashed Spirits’

Rock fans (and vampires?), rejoice! Sink your teeth into a new documentary about the legendary supergroup Hollywood Vampires. Titled Unleashed Spirits – The Rise Of The Hollywood Vampires, the film promises a thrilling and heartfelt exploration of this unique band, helmed by director Daniel E. Catullo III.

The eagerly awaited trailer has landed, and it offers a glimpse into the captivating journey that awaits viewers.

From their origins in the famed Hollywood Vampires drinking club frequented by rock royalty, to their evolution into a powerhouse act captivating audiences worldwide, the documentary promises an in-depth look at the band and the passionate connection they share with their fans.

A supergroup born from rock and roll history

Hollywood Vampires takes its name from a notorious 1970s LA drinking club frequented by rock royalty like John Lennon and Keith Moon. The current band, however, is a powerful supergroup formed in 2015.

It features legendary rocker Alice Cooper, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, actor Johnny Depp, and producer/songwriter Tommy Henriksen.

United by their love of classic rock and a desire to honor their musical heroes, these three icons came together to record an album. Their shared passion for the music, along with a playful tribute to their “dead, drunk friends,” fueled the project. The resulting album and subsequent electrifying live shows have ignited audiences worldwide.

The rise and recognition of Hollywood Vampires

This unique and oddly powerful supergroup, also featuring Alice Cooper’s long-time drummer Glen Sobel and bassist Chris Wyse, solidified their status as a rock force in 2019. Their North American tour culminated in a sold-out show at the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, further solidifying their live prowess.

This wasn’t all – a fan vote crowned them the “best performance” of 2018 at London’s iconic Wembley Arena, a testament to their electrifying stage presence.

Their sophomore album, Rise, released in 2019, was a critical and commercial success. Produced by themselves and Henriksen, it was lauded as a return to pure, unadulterated rock and roll.

Unlike their covers-heavy debut, Rise showcased the band’s songwriting talents with 13 original tracks. However, staying true to their original mission, the album also featured three heartfelt tributes: covers of songs by legendary rockers who tragically passed away young.

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A pact that somehow works

The secret sauce behind Hollywood Vampires might surprise some. In a 2019 interview with Billboard, Alice Cooper revealed the unexpectedly harmonious dynamic between himself, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry.

Despite each being strong personalities accustomed to leading the show, Cooper emphasized the complete lack of ego clashes within the band. Their creative process revolved around open collaboration and an eagerness to experiment.

Cooper elaborates on his own tendency to personalize songs during songwriting. However, with Hollywood Vampires, he found himself actively resisting this urge. When presented with demos, his initial instinct might be to shorten a section or adjust the intro.

Yet, he recognized that these very elements often contributed to the unique character of the music. By consciously leaving his “fingerprints” off these tracks, Cooper allowed the band’s singular voice to shine through.

A covers project that became a force to reckon

The success of Hollywood Vampires’ self-titled debut, which peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200, fueled the band’s desire for more. As Cooper recounted, the decision to record a follow-up was a collaborative one. “Let’s do another album, but let’s make this one original,” they agreed. 

This sparked a creative fire, with Depp, Perry, Henriksen, and Cooper himself all contributing songwriting. The album came together organically during Cooper’s tour, with Henriksen taking the production helm. The result? A unique sound that transcended their individual bands’ styles – a true Hollywood Vampires album.

This commitment to originality continued beyond the studio. In June 2023, Hollywood Vampires released Live In Rio, a live album capturing their legendary performance at the Rock In Rio festival in 2015. The electrifying energy of that massive show, played in front of over 100,000 fans, is preserved for fans to relive.