Metal Storm logo
Bang Your Head: The Rise And Fall Of Heavy Metal review



Reviewer:
4.8


Wow, when did heavy metal fall? Why was I not informed of this until now? Ok, at least they apologize for this grand falsehood inside the book, but let me just say pretty much everything else on the outside cover is a load of false advertisement.

Let us begin shall we? Before buying a book I will generally read the synopsis on the back, the line that stood out to me was "An epic history of every band and every performer that has proudly worn the heavy metal badge". Man, do I ever feel scammed, the line should have read "A dry compilation of media tabloid headlines of every performer to be part of KISS, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, or Black Sabbath", that would probably describe this childish piece of literature much more effectively. Judging by the line above you can probably guess what the book is like, its pretty much a summary of the media rumors that one can see on MTV every week, the disappointing part being that half the tabloid stories that make up this book aren't even all that entertaining. The painfully long section on KISS seemed to take up at least 2/5 of the book was possibly the most dry series of words I ever had the shame of laying my eyes on.

Maybe I'm being a little harsh; this book could be informative if you never knew that Ozzy once bit the head off a bat, or that Alice Cooper threw a live chicken into an audience, beginners stuff. Almost every tale in this book is as over-told as the ones previously listed. Not being a big literature fan in the first place I thought I'd be doing myself a favor and expanding my knowledge in a field that interests me, all I learned was what a boring band KISS actually was. I felt generally insulted by this book, as a metal-head, giving money to another supposed metal-head, to give him further knowledge on something, only to find out I probably knew more than this author. The closest thing we see to a reference of extreme metal is a sentence or two on Venom, then back to more info on Aerosmith. The only thing that saves this book from earning itself a solid 2/10 is the off chance that they are referring to the specific subgenre of metal known as heavy metal, but it seems very unlikely.

Disclaimer: If you have been into metal for longer than a month, and you passed grade 5 English class, you could write a better book.

Written by Doc G. | 26.03.2008




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.


Comments page 2 / 2

Comments: 51   Visited by: 159 users
21.10.2009 - 13:05
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:02


Now this is getting a bit too far.You do not like it.fine.I like it.fine.:cool:


That's not what Doc was talking about. he asked you why you keep stating your age, as if that has something to do with it.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
21.10.2009 - 13:10
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 13:05

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:02


Now this is getting a bit too far.You do not like it.fine.I like it.fine.:cool:


That's not what Doc was talking about. he asked you why you keep stating your age, as if that has something to do with it.

He was questioning my integrity on being a Metal fan and i can't tolerate it.I have to defend myself.Metal music has made me what i am today.Like it or do not like it,be chivalrous.One should not question other's integrity.Sorry if i am being rude but i discovered Metal in very unfavourable circumstances so i don't hate any book written on it.
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 13:13
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 12:46

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 12:44

Written by Doc G. on 20.10.2009 at 00:57

Written by Hermann Langke on 19.10.2009 at 15:27

got the point buddy?

Actually no, you really haven't proved anything, just stated your age repeatedly.

ok fine,buddy.you should better still write your own review.:thumbup:


Start making sense for fuck's sake, buddy.

No kidding. ".you should better still write your own review.".....This is my own review, wtf?

Why do all my questions get met with completely irrelevant answers?
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 13:32
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:10

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 13:05

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:02


Now this is getting a bit too far.You do not like it.fine.I like it.fine.:cool:


That's not what Doc was talking about. he asked you why you keep stating your age, as if that has something to do with it.

He was questioning my integrity on being a Metal fan and i can't tolerate it.I have to defend myself.Metal music has made me what i am today.Like it or do not like it,be chivalrous.One should not question other's integrity.Sorry if i am being rude but i discovered Metal in very unfavourable circumstances so i don't hate any book written on it.

It's unfortunate that you had to learn about metal through this book, it really is. I'm really curious why in your 11 years experience in metal you didn't ever hear all of these common knowledge stories before this book came out (which was 2004 I believe), that leaves 6 years in your 11 years of metal experience...in 6 years you never heard any of these tales? I knew most of this book back when I was still a little spikey-green-haired punk-rocker years ago.

It's my job as a reviewer to look at it from a very unbiased point of view. All of the content in this book is almost common knowledge for a good portion of the world. Not only that, but the man who compiled this book (emphasis on "compiled" as opposed to "written") did very little research or findings of his own, he took some of the most over-told stories in rock n roll, threw them together and charged people money for it.
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 13:35
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Doc G. on 21.10.2009 at 13:13

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 12:46

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 12:44

Written by Doc G. on 20.10.2009 at 00:57

Written by Hermann Langke on 19.10.2009 at 15:27

got the point buddy?

Actually no, you really haven't proved anything, just stated your age repeatedly.

ok fine,buddy.you should better still write your own review.:thumbup:


Start making sense for fuck's sake, buddy.

No kidding. ".you should better still write your own review.".....This is my own review, wtf?

Why do all my questions get met with completely irrelevant answers?

i read the review but did not pay attention to the reviewer.sorry.;D
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 13:42
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Doc G. on 21.10.2009 at 13:32

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:10

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 13:05

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:02


Now this is getting a bit too far.You do not like it.fine.I like it.fine.:cool:


That's not what Doc was talking about. he asked you why you keep stating your age, as if that has something to do with it.

He was questioning my integrity on being a Metal fan and i can't tolerate it.I have to defend myself.Metal music has made me what i am today.Like it or do not like it,be chivalrous.One should not question other's integrity.Sorry if i am being rude but i discovered Metal in very unfavourable circumstances so i don't hate any book written on it.

It's unfortunate that you had to learn about metal through this book, it really is. I'm really curious why in your 11 years experience in metal you didn't ever hear all of these common knowledge stories before this book came out (which was 2004 I believe), that leaves 6 years in your 11 years of metal experience...in 6 years you never heard any of these tales? I knew most of this book back when I was still a little spikey-green-haired punk-rocker years ago.

It's my job as a reviewer to look at it from a very unbiased point of view. All of the content in this book is almost common knowledge for a good portion of the world. Not only that, but the man who compiled this book (emphasis on "compiled" as opposed to "written") did very little research or findings of his own, he took some of the most over-told stories in rock n roll, threw them together and charged people money for it.

I understand it.I read this 'stupid' book in 2008 which was last year and i borrowed it from a friend of mine.I couldn't afford to buy that book.I have,now,2 books on heavy metal.So i do have some idea about Metal.You are a reviewer and a staff member and you are doing a great job and i am a normal member and i am doing my bit.
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 13:52
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:42

Written by Doc G. on 21.10.2009 at 13:32

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:10

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 13:05

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:02


Now this is getting a bit too far.You do not like it.fine.I like it.fine.:cool:


That's not what Doc was talking about. he asked you why you keep stating your age, as if that has something to do with it.

He was questioning my integrity on being a Metal fan and i can't tolerate it.I have to defend myself.Metal music has made me what i am today.Like it or do not like it,be chivalrous.One should not question other's integrity.Sorry if i am being rude but i discovered Metal in very unfavourable circumstances so i don't hate any book written on it.

It's unfortunate that you had to learn about metal through this book, it really is. I'm really curious why in your 11 years experience in metal you didn't ever hear all of these common knowledge stories before this book came out (which was 2004 I believe), that leaves 6 years in your 11 years of metal experience...in 6 years you never heard any of these tales? I knew most of this book back when I was still a little spikey-green-haired punk-rocker years ago.

It's my job as a reviewer to look at it from a very unbiased point of view. All of the content in this book is almost common knowledge for a good portion of the world. Not only that, but the man who compiled this book (emphasis on "compiled" as opposed to "written") did very little research or findings of his own, he took some of the most over-told stories in rock n roll, threw them together and charged people money for it.

I understand it.I read this 'stupid' book in 2008 which was last year and i borrowed it from a friend of mine.I couldn't afford to buy that book.I have,now,2 books on heavy metal.So i do have some idea about Metal.You are a reviewer and a staff member and you are doing a great job and i am a normal member and i am doing my bit.


Reading your previous couple of posts, now I understand where you're coming from. My apologies for being to harsh on you earlier.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
21.10.2009 - 19:06
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 13:52

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:42

Written by Doc G. on 21.10.2009 at 13:32

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:10

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 13:05

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 13:02


Now this is getting a bit too far.You do not like it.fine.I like it.fine.:cool:


That's not what Doc was talking about. he asked you why you keep stating your age, as if that has something to do with it.

He was questioning my integrity on being a Metal fan and i can't tolerate it.I have to defend myself.Metal music has made me what i am today.Like it or do not like it,be chivalrous.One should not question other's integrity.Sorry if i am being rude but i discovered Metal in very unfavourable circumstances so i don't hate any book written on it.

It's unfortunate that you had to learn about metal through this book, it really is. I'm really curious why in your 11 years experience in metal you didn't ever hear all of these common knowledge stories before this book came out (which was 2004 I believe), that leaves 6 years in your 11 years of metal experience...in 6 years you never heard any of these tales? I knew most of this book back when I was still a little spikey-green-haired punk-rocker years ago.

It's my job as a reviewer to look at it from a very unbiased point of view. All of the content in this book is almost common knowledge for a good portion of the world. Not only that, but the man who compiled this book (emphasis on "compiled" as opposed to "written") did very little research or findings of his own, he took some of the most over-told stories in rock n roll, threw them together and charged people money for it.

I understand it.I read this 'stupid' book in 2008 which was last year and i borrowed it from a friend of mine.I couldn't afford to buy that book.I have,now,2 books on heavy metal.So i do have some idea about Metal.You are a reviewer and a staff member and you are doing a great job and i am a normal member and i am doing my bit.


Reading your previous couple of posts, now I understand where you're coming from. My apologies for being to harsh on you earlier.

I have no grudges against you.You are a Metal-head just like me.Only that have more books on heavy metal than me and also also your metal collection is bigger.At my place is very have hard to find metal music of bands other Metallica,Megadeth,Maiden,Priest or others.And no books on heavy metal at all.But i still managed to get it.I would like if you appreciate it.And anyways do you have on metal guitarists by Joel Mciver?Its great.Take Care.;D:lol:
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 19:12
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 19:06

.And anyways do you have on metal guitarists by Joel Mciver?Its great.Take Care.;D:lol:


Not yet. It is high on my priority list but it was sold out at the American Book Centre last time I was there. But I do like what McIver wrote on Slayer, metallica, Black Sabbath, and CLiff Burton
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
21.10.2009 - 19:18
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 19:12

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 19:06

.And anyways do you have on metal guitarists by Joel Mciver?Its great.Take Care.;D:lol:


Not yet. It is high on my priority list but it was sold out at the American Book Centre last time I was there. But I do like what McIver wrote on Slayer, metallica, Black Sabbath, and CLiff Burton

I have it How about me writing a review for it?:cool:
Loading...
21.10.2009 - 19:27
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 19:18

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 19:12

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 19:06

.And anyways do you have on metal guitarists by Joel Mciver?Its great.Take Care.;D:lol:


Not yet. It is high on my priority list but it was sold out at the American Book Centre last time I was there. But I do like what McIver wrote on Slayer, metallica, Black Sabbath, and CLiff Burton

I have it How about me writing a review for it?:cool:


Good idea
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Loading...
21.10.2009 - 19:29
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 19:27

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 19:18

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 21.10.2009 at 19:12

Written by Hermann Langke on 21.10.2009 at 19:06

.And anyways do you have on metal guitarists by Joel Mciver?Its great.Take Care.;D:lol:


Not yet. It is high on my priority list but it was sold out at the American Book Centre last time I was there. But I do like what McIver wrote on Slayer, metallica, Black Sabbath, and CLiff Burton

I have it How about me writing a review for it?:cool:


Good idea

I broke into ters when i saw that book and that too in front of everyone.But i do not find any post for book reviews and also i would love to buy 'Sound of the Beast' by Ian Christe.Where do i get it????
Loading...
14.11.2009 - 10:25
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by BitterCOld on 19.10.2009 at 21:06

I'm not your buddy, guy.

Ian Christe's "Sound of the Beast" (site here) was a pretty good breakdown of the history of metal and paid a decent amount of attention to bands outside the usual ones that get all the run.

Where do I get that book?
Loading...
14.11.2009 - 10:26
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Doc G. on 19.10.2009 at 10:15

Written by DayFly on 18.10.2009 at 20:07

Written by Doc G. on 18.10.2009 at 19:59

I would like to know what the media outlets where you're from are like. All the so called "in-depth analysis" you're talking about I knew about before I got into metal, this book is merely a compilation of media tabloid headlines, thats it. I think Marcel can agree with me, and he's been into metal for longer than both of us combined.


Look at the kid's reviews and be lenient, for he doesn't know better.

His album votes speak for themselves...only 1 vote below an 8, he seems to like anything.

Apart from your stupid reviews,YES.
Loading...
14.11.2009 - 10:51
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Written by Hermann Langke on 14.11.2009 at 10:26

Written by Doc G. on 19.10.2009 at 10:15

Written by DayFly on 18.10.2009 at 20:07

Written by Doc G. on 18.10.2009 at 19:59

I would like to know what the media outlets where you're from are like. All the so called "in-depth analysis" you're talking about I knew about before I got into metal, this book is merely a compilation of media tabloid headlines, thats it. I think Marcel can agree with me, and he's been into metal for longer than both of us combined.


Look at the kid's reviews and be lenient, for he doesn't know better.

His album votes speak for themselves...only 1 vote below an 8, he seems to like anything.

Apart from your stupid reviews,YES.

Actually my reviews (generally speaking), are well explained. So your insults seem to be quite unfounded. I explained why this book sucks, you haven't offered any evidence to contradict me, but rather a series of barely understandable, hostile remarks.

Any other childish comments to get out?
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Loading...
14.11.2009 - 17:50
BitterCOld
The Ancient One
Written by Hermann Langke on 14.11.2009 at 10:25

Written by BitterCOld on 19.10.2009 at 21:06

I'm not your buddy, guy.

Ian Christe's "Sound of the Beast" (site here) was a pretty good breakdown of the history of metal and paid a decent amount of attention to bands outside the usual ones that get all the run.

Where do I get that book?


i ordered it online through Borders, but am not sure what lenghts you might have to go to to acquire it.
----
get the fuck off my lawn.

Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
Loading...
15.11.2009 - 09:41
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by BitterCOld on 14.11.2009 at 17:50

Written by Hermann Langke on 14.11.2009 at 10:25

Written by BitterCOld on 19.10.2009 at 21:06

I'm not your buddy, guy.

Ian Christe's "Sound of the Beast" (site here) was a pretty good breakdown of the history of metal and paid a decent amount of attention to bands outside the usual ones that get all the run.

Where do I get that book?


i ordered it online through Borders, but am not sure what lenghts you might have to go to to acquire it.

Is it there in Amazon?
Loading...
15.11.2009 - 09:55
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Doc G. on 14.11.2009 at 10:51

Written by Hermann Langke on 14.11.2009 at 10:26

Written by Doc G. on 19.10.2009 at 10:15

Written by DayFly on 18.10.2009 at 20:07

Written by Doc G. on 18.10.2009 at 19:59

I would like to know what the media outlets where you're from are like. All the so called "in-depth analysis" you're talking about I knew about before I got into metal, this book is merely a compilation of media tabloid headlines, thats it. I think Marcel can agree with me, and he's been into metal for longer than both of us combined.


Look at the kid's reviews and be lenient, for he doesn't know better.

His album votes speak for themselves...only 1 vote below an 8, he seems to like anything.

Apart from your stupid reviews,YES.

Actually my reviews (generally speaking), are well explained. So your insults seem to be quite unfounded. I explained why this book sucks, you haven't offered any evidence to contradict me, but rather a series of barely understandable, hostile remarks.

Any other childish comments to get out?

I am not insulting you,okay.Either you are from Quebec or I speak an alien form of English that you barely understand.The review is good and I commend you.What I am saying is that I liked the book.There are not many Heavy Metal books available in India so I do not get to read most of them and,thus,I cannot judge them as well.What I do not like is Dayfly's caustic comments.
Loading...
15.11.2009 - 10:50
Doc G.
Full Grown Hoser
Written by Hermann Langke on 15.11.2009 at 09:55

Written by Doc G. on 14.11.2009 at 10:51

Written by Hermann Langke on 14.11.2009 at 10:26

Written by Doc G. on 19.10.2009 at 10:15

Written by DayFly on 18.10.2009 at 20:07

Written by Doc G. on 18.10.2009 at 19:59

I would like to know what the media outlets where you're from are like. All the so called "in-depth analysis" you're talking about I knew about before I got into metal, this book is merely a compilation of media tabloid headlines, thats it. I think Marcel can agree with me, and he's been into metal for longer than both of us combined.


Look at the kid's reviews and be lenient, for he doesn't know better.

His album votes speak for themselves...only 1 vote below an 8, he seems to like anything.

Apart from your stupid reviews,YES.

Actually my reviews (generally speaking), are well explained. So your insults seem to be quite unfounded. I explained why this book sucks, you haven't offered any evidence to contradict me, but rather a series of barely understandable, hostile remarks.

Any other childish comments to get out?

I am not insulting you,okay.Either you are from Quebec or I speak an alien form of English that you barely understand.The review is good and I commend you.What I am saying is that I liked the book.There are not many Heavy Metal books available in India so I do not get to read most of them and,thus,I cannot judge them as well.What I do not like is Dayfly's caustic comments.

Well, yes, your English is pretty broken at times. Secondly:
Quote:
Apart from your stupid reviews,

Quote:
I am not insulting you,okay.

I'm not sure how else I'm supposed to take that comment of yours, calling someones work "stupid" seems like an insult to me...
----
"I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck."
- George Carlin
Loading...
15.11.2009 - 16:46
Hermann Langke
Brahmastra Corps
Written by Doc G. on 15.11.2009 at 10:50

Written by Hermann Langke on 15.11.2009 at 09:55

Written by Doc G. on 14.11.2009 at 10:51

Written by Hermann Langke on 14.11.2009 at 10:26

Written by Doc G. on 19.10.2009 at 10:15

Written by DayFly on 18.10.2009 at 20:07

Written by Doc G. on 18.10.2009 at 19:59

I would like to know what the media outlets where you're from are like. All the so called "in-depth analysis" you're talking about I knew about before I got into metal, this book is merely a compilation of media tabloid headlines, thats it. I think Marcel can agree with me, and he's been into metal for longer than both of us combined.


Look at the kid's reviews and be lenient, for he doesn't know better.

His album votes speak for themselves...only 1 vote below an 8, he seems to like anything.

Apart from your stupid reviews,YES.

Actually my reviews (generally speaking), are well explained. So your insults seem to be quite unfounded. I explained why this book sucks, you haven't offered any evidence to contradict me, but rather a series of barely understandable, hostile remarks.

Any other childish comments to get out?

I am not insulting you,okay.Either you are from Quebec or I speak an alien form of English that you barely understand.The review is good and I commend you.What I am saying is that I liked the book.There are not many Heavy Metal books available in India so I do not get to read most of them and,thus,I cannot judge them as well.What I do not like is Dayfly's caustic comments.

Well, yes, your English is pretty broken at times. Secondly:
Quote:
Apart from your stupid reviews,

Quote:
I am not insulting you,okay.

I'm not sure how else I'm supposed to take that comment of yours, calling someones work "stupid" seems like an insult to me...

I didn't call your reviews stupid.You misunderstood me.I only called dayfly's reviews stupid.His attitude dosen't quite appeal to me.Your reviews are really good,bro. .
Loading...
13.01.2012 - 18:11
Cuca Beludo
Account deleted
This book deserves an 2/10 only for the title...
Loading...

Hits total: 7853 | This month: 1