This study aims to investigate the dynamic response and failure mechanism of bedding rock slopes in earthquake-prone areas with high intensity. Taking the Xinmo landslide as a case study, a shaking table model test was conducted. To overcome the limitations of previous single response feature parameters such as PGA, which cannot fully explain the dynamic characteristics of slopes under seismic excitation, this study approached the analysis from the perspective of energy. The influence of seismic wave types, frequencies, and amplitudes on the dynamic response was researched. The nonlinear dynamic response mechanism was explored. The influence of damage on dynamic response was discussed. A damage identification method was proposed, clarifying the progressive damage deformation process of the slope. Test results show that it is feasible to reveal the dynamic response laws and failure mechanism of the slope from the perspective of energy. Damage affects the dynamic response of the slope by reducing the natural frequency of the model slope, changing the energy transmission coefficient of the seismic wave, and increasing the dissipation energy of the seismic wave. The change pattern of the energy transmission coefficient can effectively identify the damage of the slope. The bedding rock slope fails in a tension-shear-sliding mode under seismic excitation. The difference in dynamic response caused by seismic energy difference is the main reason for damage deformation of the bedding rock slope, and the connection of shear-tensile cracks along the bedding structure plane is the direct cause of slope instability and sliding.