Best heavy metal music books according to redditors
We found 137 Reddit comments discussing the best heavy metal music books. We ranked the 70 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 137 Reddit comments discussing the best heavy metal music books. We ranked the 70 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Read his autobiography. It's pretty dated now but gives a good understanding into the mind of Brian Warner.
For those interested, you should read this if you haven't already.
It's a fantastic book that's very addicting to read. And cheap!
It was actually 2 different types of foam padding glued one on top of the other. Polyurethane foam (catches fire VERY quickly) glued onto closed-cell polyethylene foam (denser, but once it does catch fire, it has a heat release rate 7x that of PU). Basically, the people who didn't make it outside of that club within 90 seconds, died. Except for 1 survivor who was wedged in a corner underneath the pile of people trying to get out of the front door. I highly recommend reading "Killer Show: The Station Nightclub Fire, America's Deadliest Rock Concert" by John Barylick. It's an incredibly detailed and tragic account of the fire, the victims, the survivors and the investigation afterwards.
Slash's bio was a good read. Great inside into the beginnings of Gn'R, and Slash's. Also, interesting stuff on their song writing/recording process. E.g., the moans on Rocket Queen were recorded while Axl was having sex with that particular lady in one of the studio rooms.
It was particularly interesting to find out about the connections Slash has had from a young age (e.g., his mom used to date David Bowie, no less; Slash was in the same highschool as Flea, etc.). It sort of shows how very few things in someone's career are truly random. Most of it is being in the right place, at the right time (making it so yourself), sticking with your passion, not giving up, making the right connections.
As for the wild side, I didn't think Slash's drug habit was that out of control. Also, I thought the book gives a good perspective on the LA scene at the time.
If you haven't read his autobiography, I highly suggest that you do. He talks about a lot of surprisingly normal aspects of his young and adult life.
From what I remember he talks about going to Catholic School for almost his entire life and like you said he majored in Journalism in College.
I also read an article in some fashion magazine about Dita Von Teese (a very famous model and also his ex-wife), about how one Sunday morning she woke up to him getting dressed and asked him what the occasion was. He told her that he was going to Church and that he went almost every Sunday. She laughed at him until she realized that he was actually serious. (I cannot find the source right now, but I will keep looking for it, the article is at least a few years old.)
I suggest you get Slash's biography. It's a fantastic read, and truly amazing to hear just how fucked up GnR was all the time on heroin and cocaine.
He talks in depth about his time with GnR.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061351431
Note: I also enjoyed the Motley Crue book, by Neil Strauss I believe. You can really understand what really went on behind the scenes in those wildly popular 80's and 90's hair bands. It's just insanity.
http://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Anniversary-Confessions-Worlds-Notorious/dp/0062012339/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370805772&sr=1-1&keywords=motley+crue+the+dirt
Is it this one?
I've got a copy too! An ex-girlfriend of mine got it for me while we were dating... I kinda miss that girl, she really got me...
Check out Duff McKagan's autobiography - It's So Easy: and other lies:
http://www.amazon.com/Its-So-Easy-other-lies/dp/145160663X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377729196&sr=1-1&keywords=duff+mckagan
Great book, gives an awesome first hand account of what happened with GnR, and Duff's experience. One of my favorite metal books, right up there the Motley Crue's autobiography (though this one has much less, though still some, debauchery). Duff comes across as very smart and grounded throughout.
His book with Niel Strauss is a fun read.
http://www.amazon.com/Long-Hard-Road-Out-Hell/dp/0060987464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279503654&sr=8-1
Anybody who likes this story should read his autobiography. It's full of absolutely crazy shit, and yet he comes across as a really intelligent, normal guy.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Hard-Road-Hell/dp/0060987464
Black Metal at its core is about hatred. How that manifests itself is up to the band. Whether it's a hatred of the Abrahamic faiths, modern society that reveals itself through pagan or nature worship, or of humanity in general. Most of the shreddit recommended black metal albums list feature this in some way. Some points of note...
If you delve into the history of black metal do NOT start it in Norway. It's impossible to tell the story of black metal without mentioning the Norwegian scene but it did not start there. Bathory's "Under the Sign of the Black Mark" is probably the most important of the first-wave black metal albums for giving a sonic guide to how to proceed but this goes into my other point which is, despite the similarities black metal has with one another, black metal has NO sonic definition. Funeral Mist's "Salvation" sounds nothing like Mystifier's "The World is So Good That Who Made It Doesn't Live Here" which sounds nothing like Vattnet Viskar's "Sky Swallower" but it's all under the black metal umbrella. Some have differing opinions as to what constitutes a black metal band but it ultimately comes down to personal choice on the part of the band as to how they want to present themselves and that's what we are left to judge them on. This is the reason why I don't judge Deafheaven as a black metal band because they say that they are not one but do judge Liturgy as one because they say they are for example. This is not just my opinion. I interviewed Alan Averill, black metal vocalist of Primordial and Blood Revolt, who was around in the black metal tape trading days of the late 80s/early 90s who knows his shit about the history of black metal. Most of what I wrote here comes from him.
There is no one concrete philosophy about black metal other than what I mentioned above. Some good books so I've been told:
http://blackdogonline.com/music/black-metal.html <--- Black Metal: Beyond the Chaos
Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Metal-Evolution-Dayal-Patterson/dp/1936239752/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&amp;refRID=11BWAB0R4N471SZ5AQ2J
Good luck. Feel free to write me if you want any clarification.
When I first started listening to metal circa 98/99, I bought this book because it seemed like it would be an easy way to "get started" in the genre. It's basically 500 pages of album reviews looking at a fairly broad cross-section of metal genres (and even some non-metal stuff). Even then it was pretty dated, but I wouldn't really recognize that until later. Throughout the book, he called anything with Satanic imagery/lyrics "black metal," which I guess was the standard definition of the term in the 1980s, so not knowing any better, I thought Venom, Slayer, Morbid Angel, Mercyful Fate, etc., all fell under that description. I was disabused of that idea pretty quickly when I realized that there were a lot of people on the internet who knew a lot more about metal than I did.
As I recall, he also used "power metal" to mean groove metal.
I remember this one. It is middle-school cafeteria grade gossip to be sure, but it's almost believable. He was pretty sexually outrageous and had something of an obsession with medical stuff. His book is pretty fascinating, and goes into some of the crazy shit he and the band actually got up to in their early days, and the rumors aren't all that much weirder than the truth. I talk about him in the past tense like he's dead, when in fact I just haven't paid attention to what he's been up to since the 90's, but was way into that stuff back then.
here is the link where i got it man
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/155022798X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Books Books Books.
Lords of Chaos -- Alright, there is a lot of crticism of this book in terms of balanced journalism but aside from all of that, this is a entertaining book for someone who hasn't heard about the Norwegian black metal scene / murders. This may get her into bands like Burzum, Emperor, and Darkthrone. Godspeed.
Precious Metal -- interviews about 25 decent extreme metal milestones. It makes you want to listen to each record whilereading the book.
Two other books I havent read but heard good reviews on is Swedish Death Metal and Black Metal Evolution
the reason why I am suggesting books is that some of these metal genres beyond what Black Dahlia Murder do is somewhat complex and interesting not just in terms of music but history, philosophy, and aesthetics. I feel that diving into weird scenes with books is fascinating. If your girlfriend is not the type to like reading, buy her more books and force her to read.
Depends on what sort of rep you're in to (into?). I read a lot of popular music scholarship. These are books that I have either read or am going to read, in no particular order:
Brad Osborn - Everything in its Right Place: Analyzing Radiohead
Robert Walser - Running with the Devil:Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music
Walter Everett - The Foundations of Rock
Walter Everett - The Beatles as Musicians: The Quarry Men through Rubber Soul, Revolver through the Anthology
† Understanding Rock: Essays in Musical Analysis, ed. John Covach and Graeme Boone
Richard Middleton - Studying Popular Music
Allan Moore - Song Means:Analysing and Interpreting Recorded Popular Song
†Analyzing Popular Music, ed. Allan Moore
† = A bunch of essays crammed into a book. These are nice because you can read a 20-50 page study on a topic and move on.
I'll recommend these as more general reading, geared toward classical music but useful in other styles as well:
William Caplin - Classical Form: A Theory of Formal Functions for the Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven (Every researcher in the field knows or should know this one. I would also recommend Hepokoski and Darcy - Elements of Sonata Theory, which is the other big form book, but it is a veritable tome and hardly light reading. Not that much of what I've recommended is very light.)
Janet Schmalfeldt - In the Process of Becoming:Analytic and Philosophical Perspectives on Form in Early Nineteenth-Century Music (I haven't read this yet, but it's in the same universe of form studies as the above.)
Kofi Agawu - Music as Discourse: Semiotic Adventures in Romantic Music (Agawu has written a lot on various topics and should be on your radar.)
Alfred Mann - The Study of Fugue (Broken up into two parts: part 1 is a history of fugue, part 2 is about fugal technique.)
I'll point you toward this one since it is totally awesome and helped me to understand medieval liturgical music theory and culture (though you might find yourself lost if you are not already familiar with some of the concepts):
Anna Maria Busse Berger - Medieval Music and the Art of Memory
You might also consider ordering a hard copy of some journal issues, as these can be quite compact and give you a lot of breadth.
Journal of Music Theory (JMT)
Music Theory Spectrum (MTS)
Black Metal - Evolution of the Cult - Goes through from first wave to current metal and all the other niche scenes that the majority of people overlook.
His autobiography "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" is still my favourite book. It was written shortly after Antichrist Superstar, so it doesn't follow-up, but his childhood and adolescence is very, very interesting.
Joe Cristina, there with his friend Matt Pickett, took this shot. Behind Jeff, the flaming stage is visible. To Jeff's right and down aways was the log jam of people trying to escape through the front door. To his left was the stage door. Some reports say he never left; others that he got out and went back for his girlfriend, Becky.... Another article on Jeff. However, given the cigarette, drink, and coat he's holding, it appears he never left. According to the book Killer Show, only seconds passed after this photo before the smoke/heat layer descended far enough to make escape unlikely. Joe escaped through an atrium window.
All about Matt - written by his fiance. Matt had an audio recorder in his pocket. A year later, his family found it and the FBI restored it. Screams, pleading, and cries of dozens of patrons are followed by the simple sound of the raging fire. I don't know if the tape is available anywhere.
Probably you meant Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult.
Here ya go. Amazon also has Hideous Gnosis I, Glossator: Black Metal Theory and Practice, and a few others. No luck yet on PDFs, but there are a few sites out there that have used copies for pretty cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/Floating-Tomb-Black-Metal-Theory/dp/8869770087
EDIT- PDF here
http://www.wacosowyze.cf/1115681-MFZKBBZAIB/
Link For the lazy...
I personally recommend getting your ass to the library or bookstore and getting two very interesting books:
Running With the Devil: Power, Gender and Madness in Heavy Metal Music by Robert Walser
Heavy Metal: The Music and its Culture by Deena Weinstein
Both are interesting reads and Walser's in particular has a section which memorably compares a particular guitar solo to a Vivaldi violin cadenza... very interesting.
I'm not really much of a death metal person so I can't recommend you anything in the way of bands but the other people who commented sound like they know their shit. :)
Probably everything you want to know has been written in this book https://www.amazon.com/Black-Metal-Evolution-Dayal-Patterson/dp/1936239752
off the top of my head:
and most recently:
May I suggest, this, this, and this
They'll get you pretty darn close to the ballpark. Also, a 6 string will come in handy. A lot of good youtube lessons out there and of course slowing down the songs in VLC or your app of choice. I recently discovered the Pocket GK app for iphone that lets you slow down tracks in your library. Come back in a few months and report your progress.
I am Ozzy
I am Ozzy, whether you like him or not, it's hilarious and the guy has amazing stories, it grabs you right from the beginning. Read the reviews on amazon http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Ozzy-Osbourne/dp/0446569909
I would love the heavy metal coloring book on my main list and I think /u/skinslip1 would too!
Life is about using the whole box of crayons.
Clicky
US pre-order available on Amazon for $23.44 (hardcover) & $14.99 (Kindle).
This, if you're a fan of black metal.
band t-shirts are the key to my heart, but that can always get really awkward if you happen to buy the wrong size (in either direction), so make damn sure you know her shirt size.
also the Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book is on my wish list, but I don't think that's gender specific. but honestly, what really is?
Here are a few I've read and really enjoyed.
Do I have to pick only one thing? Because there's quite a few, aha.
That guy survived. The man who saved him rescued another person in a later incident. Car accident or fire. Can't remember.
I read http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Show-Nightclub-Americas-Deadliest/dp/1611682657
Written by one of the lawyers who represented victims of the fire. Great read, goes into extreme detail about many of those who were involved.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Metal-Evolution-Cult-Extreme/dp/1936239752/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_3/143-2120679-5672137?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_i=1936239752&amp;pd_rd_r=9f1a7e61-00ec-4671-9553-8dfd6c8f5913&amp;pd_rd_w=L6KoF&amp;pd_rd_wg=gkdtZ&amp;pf_rd_p=f04fe339-64d3-4672-9dc4-fcec7ed7a68c&amp;pf_rd_r=C5AM2W18338DYEZG0QQF&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=C5AM2W18338DYEZG0QQF
Not sociology, but definitely ethnographic: http://www.amazon.com/Running-Devil-Gender-Madness-Culture/dp/0819562602
Not about black metal, but a good read if you are interested in the topic.
It has some pretty good reviews. I see there's also a Gangsta Rap Coloring Book and a Punk Rock Fun Time Activity Book by the same Author.
I'll be putting this on my Amazon wishlist and hoping.
If you're interested in Marilyn Manson, check out his autobiography. It's decently written, and is a pretty cool insight into the man.
Today is a badass day because ninjas, ninjas everywhere. I was awoken suddenly by a super sweet guitar solo with a hint of bass. I rolled out of my super comfy bed and ended up in the floor, ...cause gravity. I ate rocks for breakfast with a battle axe in my left hand and a pot on my head, cause helms are hard to come by. On my way to work, I ran into a rude ass wizard. He said to me, "Someone has to deal with all these runaway ninjas. Put that axe to good use". I *swarthily replied, "Silly wizard, you cant use a one armed short axe against ninjas, its not hit capped to counter act their +210 agility. Noob.", and we then decided to get drunk and buy lapdances with a dwarf we picked up at a gas station. I really wished we had done something about those ninjas and all their shadowy shenanigans with a radical vengeance instead. Something hit me on the back of my head. It was a boot. Can you believe that? I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a phone to instgram it. Because really, who throws a shoe? It really belonged to the dwarf. He gave it to me in exchange for my battleaxe.
One day I will get around to those pesky ninjas with extreme prejudice. It will be a battle of legendary ...legend and a little bit of romance. I hope tomorrow is filled with strippers and booze** just like today.
Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal It covers the history of "mainstream" metal from the late 60s and early 70s to the fall of hair metal in the 90s, but doesn't cover any of the underground Death and Grind movements in the 80s and 90s. For that, I'd recommend Choosing Death which has already been mentioned.
I am Ozzy is Ozzy's autobiography that recounts all his crazy stories from his day's with Sabbath, to losing Randy, to getting a reality show, and so on. Good read that gives you a decent perspective on how huge and successful that guy was (and still is).
Crazy Train: The High Life And Tragic Death Of Randy Rhoad is a biography that explains the full extent of Randy's genius. It's also rells the story of how a suburban kid got swept up into the rock star lifestyle.
Yes, I suggest reading the following books.
Black metal: Evolution of the Cult
Floating Tomb
Hideous Gnosis (Ignore the wanker from Liturgy)
Melancology
I actually read it in a book by Robert Walser called Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. From what I recall, the book was quite good, though it was 20 years ago that I read it so I'm not sure what I would think about it now (I'm a lot more skeptical of social theory than I was then given its current state as an academic discipline). I remember especially liking the "high culture" vs "low culture" discussions, and the "cross cultural juxtaposition" phrase was used when he noted similarities between heavy metal and opera. I think he also said that the method is called different things by different people, so maybe this description is his own and not too common. He might even be the originator. I didn't invent it though, unfortunately.
My husband got me this cookbook for Christmas when we first started dating. We didn't know each other that well, but he knew I liked metal and cooking. Some of the recipes are pretty good, and it was fun to read through together.
Hey, check out his autobiography. It is a great read! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XIC1GI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&amp;btkr=1
Saw this at work the other day....
I actually have a heavy metal colouring/activity book. They do exist!
http://www.amazon.ca/Heavy-Metal-Time-Activity-Book/dp/155022798X
Only Half There, the autobiography of Devin Townsend
https://www.amazon.com/Only-There-autobiography-Devin-Townsend-ebook/dp/B06Y481YQZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=Only+Half+There%2C+the+autobiography+of+Devin+Townsend&amp;qid=1564486321&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1
Also check these out http://www.amazon.com/Primus-Anthology-thru-Guitar-Bass/dp/1575601540
Are you playing them alone too? Try and find a drummer who digs Primus, it can be difficult to lock into the grooves alone.
If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you. -Whinny the Pooh
My favorite. item.
Hellbent for cooking. For fans of metal and cooking. Detailed recipes from bands metal around the world. Lots of recipes some are basic and some very complex.
Kinda off-topic. Looking at the related products on amazon for stuff suggested here I stumbled upon this definitely getting that one.
If you are looking into black metal and it’s ties to ecology you should probably read Melancology (https://www.amazon.com/Melancology-Black-Metal-Theory-Ecology/dp/1780991894)
The Heavy Metal Fun Time Book would be awesome to color/fill out with the hubby :) Thanks for the contest.
X-ray and Vav
I WILL HANG IT ON MY DORM WALL
IT WILL MAKE MY ROOM FEEL AT HOME
Inspiration ;D
Hugglewhomp indeed o_o
Is he silly and into metal? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mosh-Potatoes-Steve-Seabury/dp/1439181322/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1374937560&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=Mosh+Potatoes
I Am Ozzy
I used the hell out of The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal in the days before the metal archives site. Some insane reviews, but it was encyclopedic for the time.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0060987464/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453577620&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;keywords=long+hard+road+out+of+hell&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51W6Z5ndjBL&amp;ref=plSrch
There ya go! I forgot about Poe. I got a three book collection as a graduation present that was the complete works of poe, one was the complete works of Kate Chopin, and the third was Herman Melville. Poe was always the best. The cask of amontillado was my favorite because how terrifying is being walled up and left to die?! Annabelle Lee is always nice, as well.
You should read his book, its really good.
Archives for links in comments:
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It's So Easy: and other lies from Duff McKagan of GNR. It's crazy how much he was drinking daily at his peak!
"A founding member of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety. "
I Am Ozzy https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0751543403/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_Q9pEwbK841YXJ I'm sure this was the one, fun read.
this one, love. http://www.amazon.com/Mosh-Potatoes-Recipes-Anecdotes-Heavyweights/dp/1439181322
You should read his biography! It's a most interesting book which I highly recomend if you'd like to read about his youth.
The book at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Hard-Road-Hell/dp/0060987464
If you haven't already read it, Slash's autobiography is really good. Lots of great stories about GNR's history and some details about where different songs came from.
I definitely recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061351431/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zFp6yb1DWRKHM
They got back to me regarding Kindle, and they said that they submitted to Amazon too, so Kindle owners can easily get on board and have stuff like cloud access. Yay!
EDIT: It's listed but doesn't seem to be available for purchase just yet.
Read his book: http://www.amazon.com/Long-Hard-Road-Out-Hell/dp/0060987464/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342806655&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=marilyn+manson
This is a but subjective as I have no idea what you are into. I liked this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_%28autobiography%29 despite not being a huge Guns n Roses fan.
This one is also pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Heroin-Diaries-Year-Life-Shattered/dp/0743486285
Just get this book!
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> # Bruce Dickinson llega al Obras en agosto de 2020
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> El frontman de Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson vuelve a la Argentina en agosto de 2020 con una charla en el Estadio Obras.
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> ## Una tarde con Bruce Dickinson
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> El 25 de agosto de 2020 Bruce Dickinson ofrecerá una charla para presentar su best seller What Does This Buttom Do? (¿Qué hace este botón?). Su regreso al país consiste de una charla exclusiva donde realizará un repaso por su carrera, historia y anécdotas. También responderá preguntas de los asistentes.
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> No te vayas a perder esta oportunidad. Las entradas se encuentran a la venta desde el 25/11.
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> ## Navegador de artículos
The aspergers is strong in this sub
http://www.amazon.com/All-Known-Metal-Bands-Nelson/dp/1932416927