Tag Archives: books

Reviews, Various

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

Leave a comment

bad-religion-do-what-you-want-400x604

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.

Reviews, Various

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

Leave a comment

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.

Reviews, Various

(book) Dave Mustaine memoir, a life in metal.

Leave a comment

51EkM7fZBXL__SX311_BO1,204,203,200_

This is a wonderful book and I enjoyed every single page. The reading is intense, a real page turner. For those who don´t know that, Dave Mustaine is a metal legend, founder and frontman/guitarist for legendary thrash metal outfit Megadeth, one of the big four in thrash metal. This book is his story, from childhood with abusive alcoholic father and broken home to beginning with Metallica and co-writing the first Metallica album. He got kicked from that band in New York and I recently read Scott Ian from Anthrax book and it was interesting to see how those two saw the same event. Dave swore to avenge on Metallica, so he formed Megadeth, his band and the book is story of all ups and downs, line-up changes, Dave´s ongoing fighting with his drug addiction and alcohol leading him to become a kind of new born christian. It was fun to read about the beef with Jon from Dissection when they got kicked off the festival because Mustaine wouldn´t play with satanic bands on the bill hehe. No matter, this one is exciting read, full on page turner and it has some amazing moments from tour that make you laugh, cringe, sick and above all make you love this band even more. I was fortunate that I saw them twice when they played in our country, once a solo gig in sweaty club which was fantastic and once in a big arena with Slayer which was a bit less fantastic, but great indeed. I recommend this book with all my heart, not only to the fans, but also to the people who love great and exciting books.