Excellent!

It's highly informative. I've been a metalhead all my life, but listening to this book made me realise that I was missing out on so many bands and genres. Whenever he mentioned a band or genre that I was unfamiliar with, I paused the book, went onto Spotify, and gave them a listen. I've discovered so many awesome bands reading this book and my music listening has been very much enriched. It's also bloody funny, so I discovered an awesome comedian too. As some of the other commenters have noted, you'll find equal parts fact and opinion. I don't agree with all of his opinions -- he loves Thrash and Black Metal, and to be honest I don't -- but his deeply negative attitude towards Glam and Nu Metal is something I very much associate with. But if you like those genres, then just don't take his opinions personally -- they're JUST his opinions. You'll still learn about these genres' histories and the influences that formed them. For example, I got the sense that he finds Progressive Metal pretentious. I love Prog and I don't agree with him, but my feelings weren't hurt -- it's JUST his opinion. Because of my love of Prog, I was delighted to discover Post Metal, which he talks about towards the end of the book. Overall, I couldn't stop listening and I was genuinely sad when it ended. Excellent book!

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Informative, entertaining and very funny

Read by the author who has a personal love of the music. SIT DOWN LARS!

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Fascinating and witty

I’ve never much liked heavy metal but I bloody loved this book. Buy it and enjoy

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Essential for metalheads

Great book, hilariously read by the author. This is essential reading for all metalheads and though you may not agree with all his opinions or taste in bands, the facts and history are a solid narrative that all metallers should know about. Also, he keeps mentioning Panopticon, so check them out. Kentucky is a great album. Fuck Whitesnake.

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Brilliant stuff

Andrew says he is pursuasive in the introduction and by guiding me on a journey from bands I always loved (Sabbath, Zeplin, Motorhead) has shown me I dig bands and even genres I had no Idea I would. I bought the book over a year ago and list it so gave it a listen on here which has the added bonus of Andrews performance.

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Good

All in all a good history and funny in places. Opinionated throughout but it is metal after all :)

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Yes.

Andrew O'Neill is an excellent comic and evidently a great writer too. I loved the live show when I saw it a few years ago so I'm very happy that this massively expanded version exists.
I found it difficult to stop listening to it when I had to sleep or go for a shower or talk to people. I've finished it now but have a head full of smashing recommendations to keep me busy for ages and ages and I'll probably just put it on again tonight.
I don't expect I can swear here even though swearing is great and clever, so I shall finish by saying that I enjoyed the darn heck out of this book. Ten out of ten supportive death metal parents.

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2 people found this helpful

A good romp through my favourite genre of music.

I loved listening to this book, being a heavy metal fan since the 1970's and over many recent years, a fan of extreme metal and death gospel, this was entertaining as well as insightful.

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Excellent, but.....

So, it is a history and a very comprehensive and funny (in places) one at that, but it's also a massive self righteous rant which could be summarised as "if the author likes something, then that something is good and if he doesn't, then it isn't". And that's not just restricted to bands and genres, he also lectures or derides anyone who doesn't share his political views or dares to commit the sin of eating meat or does or thinks anything he doesn't sanction. The further you go into this book, the more you feel like you're being chastised and corrected, unless of course you happen to be the author's clone and share his exact viewpoint on everything. I stuck with it because I really enjoyed the information element but I felt increasingly like I was living under martial law. You need pretty thick skin to listen to this book, but it's worth it... just !

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Loved it

A comprehensive and very entertaining waltz though the far reaching world of heavy metal. Andrew's commentary is a joy.

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