Tag Archives: book reviews

(literatura) Michael Moynihan/Didrik Soderlind – Lords of Chaos

Ovu knjigu sam nedavno kupio, jer se radi o totalno novom re-izdanju, pojačanom sa nekim novim intervjuima i novim dodacima koji nisu bili u originalu kojeg sam čitao, odnosno prvom izdanju kojeg sam čitao davno fotokopiranog odnosno printanog s nekog pdf formata. Isplati se imati original i knjiga u rukama je bolja nego Kindle u rukama, iako koristim Kindle često čitajući knjige koje nisu baš nabavljive na našem području.

Ova knjiga samo djelomično ima veze sa filmom koji je bio po mom mišljenju totalni promašaj u kojem je prikazana burna povijest Mayhem/Burzum/Euronymous/Varg sukoba i ubojstva, odnosno Deadovog samoubojstva. Iako detaljno proučava i objašnjava i taj dio povijesti i uspone norveške black metal scene, knjiga mi je bila zanimljivija u segmentima u kojima opisuje pagan i povijesni kontekst black metala, povezanosti sa nazi i ekstremno desnom scenom u nekim dijelovima, kroz iscrpne intervjue sa Varg Vikernesom ova knjiga pokazuje svu njegovu genijalnost kao i ludilo. Ali, ponekad je teško razlučiti to jedno od drugog, jelda? Odlični su opisi Oskorei, Odinizma kao i ubojstava i ekstremnih scena koji su manje ili više povezani sa black metal muzikom kroz ta djela.

Isto tako, knjiga se dosta dotiče Sotonizma, preko LaVeya i njegove Church of Satan do bestijalnog, primitivnog Sotonizma kakav je bio prezentiran u ranim danima drugog vala black metala. Zanimljivo se čita, nema praznog hoda i pokušava opisati sve strane, čak i policijsku i stranu svećenika iz jedne od spaljenih crkava u Norveškoj. Knjiga je to koja će biti zanimljiva i outsiderima koji nisu sa ove scene i ne znaju pozadinu i insidersku priču o događanjima. Dakle, nije savršena, ali je vrijedan dokument i to ne samo o muzici.

(review) For The Sake Of Heaviness:The History Of Metal Blade Records-Brian Slagel with Mark Eglinton

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Metal Blade Records are one of the biggest and most important metal record labels out there. Their impact on the scene has been enormous and legions of fans and all of the fantastic releases can testify that and leave us legacy that can hardly be surpassed. But, do not get me wrong, this label still goes strong now almost fourty years since its inception and this book is the story about how Brian Slagel, lifer in metal started it all. From early eighties and first Metal Massacre compilation till today, Brian tells us story about start of label in his mother´s house, gradation to being big, nineties grunge invasion and downfall of metal retreating to rebuild and regroup across metalcore and bringing story to temporary closure in nowadays of digital download and streaming. Story is told through Brian´s eyes but also through interviews with many scene people like James Hetfield, Johann Hegg, King Diamond, Brian´s friends and associates from the label and many more. What I like about this book is that it taught me a lot. Business side of things, a bit of luck you must have and also there are lots of anecdotes in this one, making it one nice read. Above all and most important is Brian´s love for metal and lifetime devotion to the scene he helped create and much respect and love for that.

(book review) Do What You Want The Story Of Bad Religion – Jim Ruland and Bad Religion

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I have waited for a long time to read this one and now that I have, I must say that I am satisfied with this book. Bad Religion are one of the most important punk rock bands in the world and especially in melodic punk hardcore genre and they recently celebrated 40 years in the scene. This book is an autobiography of all ups and downs, from early days till today. Depicts all line-up changes and heartbreaks, alcohol and drug abuse problems and major label controversy. Also, this book has healthy dose of anecdotes that I wanted to read about mixed with more historical contents, like the rise of Epitaph Records and all that punk rock boom in the nineties. This band was always special to me, because through their album Generator I discovered melodic punk and skatepunk scene and my life hasn´t been the same since, that being my other love besides metal. This book is easy to read, it is interesting and doesn´t let up until the very end making you go play all your favorite BR records and songs over and over again celebrating this great band. I saw them play live only once in 2018 and I will definitely check them out as soon gigs and festivals start again. Until then, go get this nice book.