I wanted to get my paws on this one for a long time. Thanks to Rockmark Zagreb, I ordered my copy and got it, read it in less than a week. This book written by long time journalists Ika Johannesson and Jon Jefferson Klingberg came as something of a surprise for me. I thought that this will be another history of metal scene, from its start to nowadays, but boy was I surprised. This book consists of chapters which are stories for themselves about some of the most known or infamous members of the Swedish metal scene. I will mention the opener, story of Nifelheim twins, then story of Entombed and its divide in two bands, of course dark and impressive late Jon Nodtveidt of Dissection’s story. What would be story about Swedish metal without Dead of Morbid and Mayhem who ended his life in 1991 and is an icon of black metal scene. One of the absolute highlights for me was also story of Niklas Kvarforth and his Shining, his disappearance, the infamous gig with new singer Ghoul hehe, misantrophy and hatred. The book ends with story of melodic metal from more known bands like Hammerfall and Sabaton to less known underground power metal. Last chapter is Watain, band which I respect very much and who keep the flame of black metal burning bright. I recommend this book to all metalheads out there but also the ones who love extreme music and interesting stories.
Dayal Patterson neumorno izdaje knjige sa svojom Cult Never Dies izdavačkom kućom, pa me uz jednu od narudžbi oduševio ovaj svojevrstan fanzin kojeg sam dobio na poklon. Riječ je o vrsti prequela Cult Never Dies serijalu o black metalu, koji je već doživio tri knjige u svom opusu. Ovih 64 stranica je kao prvo prekrasno dizajnirano i uređeno i vidi se da je Dayal odrastao na fanzinaškoj sceni i radio fanzine prije nego je počeo pisati kao freelancer za veće časopise. Knjiga sadrži out takese iz Evolution Of A Cult knjige, odnosno proširene verzije nekih interviewa čiji fragmenti su objavljeni u spomenutoj knjizi i neke interviewe koji nisu, a trebali su biti tamo objavljeni. Tu su i odlični kontroverzni interviewi sa Taake, odnosno Hoestom, u kojima se ni Dayal ni Hoest ne libe dotaknuti škakljivijih tema, kao i odličan interview sa Mikom iz Clandestine Blaze, odnosno Northern Heritage koji je meni uz Taake bio najzanimljiviji za čitanje. Tu su i uvijek interestantni Impaled Nazarene, Skitliv, odnosno Maniacov život nakon Mayhema hehe, pa onda Jorn iz Hades Almighty, Frost iz Satyricon/1349, Enthroned….plus fenomenalne fotografije i preodličan artwork. Ovo se stvarno isplati pročitati i imati u kolekciji.
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.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 