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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QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST BOOK EVER

Been a metal fan since I was 13, performed in bands and travelled playing gigs all over however I never really got involved with the side story to metal. I never read up on the politics or the reviews, making my own decision when i listened to the band.
Although I disagree with some of his thoughts (megadeth are awesome :-) I LOVED this book. It brought back memories, educated me and had me literally LOLing
I highly recommend this book

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Hilarious audio book, a must for any metalheads.

Loved this audio book, so many funny things in it that any metal head will find amusing. Was also great to hear my good friends in the band Cancer get a mention at the end too. Nice one Andrew O'Neil, I look forward to more like this.

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Sceptical at first but won me over.

To be clear, you are not going to agree with at least 50% of this work, but it's a well thought out and well positioned option, backed up with a lot of interesting fact. It's also very, very amusing, with a fair few (public transport cautionary) laugh out loud moments. Andrew is right, we are an opinionated bunch, and given that, I have to concede that I have come out of this experience, not just entertained, but also a little wiser. I still think Black Metal is shit mind, BUT I have made an internal commitment to actually listen to more than the first 30 seconds of a few tracks so I can maybe rebalance that bias a little.

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2 people found this helpful

Entertaining and insightful overview of Metal.

I only dabble in the shallows of the Metal genre, but I really enjoyed this concise musical history and the many decent jokes scattered throughout (sit down Lars!).

However, I feel the lack of attention on Iron Maiden is simply shocking. Especially considering their legacy, impact on popular culture and long-term influence. I feel a revised edition is required, with much more Maiden.

The author’s own bias shines through in most chapters, which is understandable, given his obvious passion for the subject matter. But it can get a bit too granular at times.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it and actually found myself disappointed when it ended.

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Loved it,

My favourite genre of music described by a very amusing bro. It’s open my eyes and my YouTube account to new bands and I absolutely love it I’m gonna leave listen to it again for the fourth time

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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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