Tag Archives: biography

(book review) Paul Stenning: IRON MAIDEN 30 Years Of The Beast-the complete unauthorised biography

I love Iron Maiden. That was the first band I heard from metal and so called harder scene when I was a 14 year old kid. I got my hands on No Prayer For The Dying tape and discovered the whole new world and listened to it until it got so worn out that it hardly played. Then I discovered that this band has more albums that came out before this one and even better albums than No Prayer…Nothing was the same anymore for me. Later on, my friend made me a tape, side A was Slayer, side B was Kreator and that is how I got into more harder side of metal and nothing was the same anymore, later discovering punk rock through Bad Religion, Gorilla Biscuits but that is another story.

This is great book, telling Maiden story from the early start and ending after Dance Of Death was released so couple of years are missing because this book is a bit older. It is an interesting story, through line up changes, victories and setbacks caused by departure of Bruce Dickinson from the band and triumphant return, ups and downs and never giving up thus becoming one of the most famous metal bands in the world. Through story there are also interesting interviews with contemporaries, former band members, caterers, roadies, cover artists, so it is really worth reading. But, I feel like a little bit is missing, don´t really know what, but this book did not hit me in the eye like some do. So, it is an interesting read, good one, but only 4/5.

(book) Scott Ian:I´m The Man

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Scott Ian is known in the metal scene as legendary guitarist of legendary Anthrax from New York, one of the big 4 thrash metal bands besides Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Somehow, during my years of growing up, Anthrax always went under my radar, being somehow left beside and I have been listening to much more Metallica, Slayer especially and Megadeth. So, I was very interested to read partly co written autobiography, with Jon Wiederhorn as co-writer, who also did a recent book by Roger Miret from Agnostic Front as co-writer. Foreworded by Kirk Hammett from Metallica, this one is an interesting read, cover to cover. From Scott growing up as tiny Jewish boy in New York to all the peaks, heartbreaks and downs with Anthrax. parting ways with Joey Beladonna, John Bush, reunions, but what makes this book more interesting are all the anecdotes that Scott shared, legendary Billy Milano(S.O.D.) stuff, fine with late Dimebag of Pantera, some really gruesome stuff from tours, sex, drinking and above all love for extreme music that kept us all in the scene for so many years. This one is a keeper. Great read.

8,5/10