Rating: 
Summary: exploring the most disturbing, yet intriguing, music to date
Review: This book provides a lot of information regarding the black metal scene- someone who has only heard rumors can verify them here; someone who is into the scene can read informative interviews with some of the bigger names, including many people that you rarely find good interviews with. Unfortunately, the authors start strong and in depth but then begin to fade and hasten as the book progresses. While they do a good job of establishing how & why black metal began, they appear to become obsessed with the satanic aspects. They mention only briefly, if at all, some of the better-known bands (Cradle of Filth is a prime example) and begin to focus on the performers who have done extreme things (church burning, murder, etc.), often including no-name bands just because they have been in jail. While these acts are extreme, they are in no way the norm in todays black metal scene- although they were prominent at the beginning. At the end they begin to cross over into different scenes- even icluding sociopaths whose actions were in no way influenced by music- black metal or otherwise. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I do believe it will appeal primarily to those totally into- or totally afraid of- this type of music. I anticipate another book dealing with this topic, however, I am hoping more for a music-oriented overview of this dark, disturbing, yet often mystical genre.
Rating:
Summary: Finally a book that telles the real story.
Review: Lords of Chaos was an excellent book. It really represented the black metal scene through the eyes of the people involved. The band that really turned me on to Black metal was EMPEROR I heard the song "Loss and Curse of Revrence" and I ended up with all there records, and a whole new outlook on metal. I first was in to Death and Thrash metal which I still am. I was surprised that the author represented Samoth, Varg, and Faust as being good guys, which no other thing I have read about black metal has done, most publications dont give these guys a chance. Thanks for a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I thought.
Review: This book is completely different from what i exepected. I figured it would be some over the top Chrsitian book and i could laugh at all the mis-conceptions. I liked this book a lot. Personally I am a fan of black metal and think it is beautiful. The real probem lies in the genre of death metal. which i do not care for.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential for 'true' Black Metal' fans.
Review: Along with 'IN THE NIGHTSIDE ECLIPSE', 'DE MYSTRIIS DOM SATHANAS', 'PURE HOLOCAUST' and the first 4 BURZUM titles, this is an essential purchase for the 'know it all' black metal fan. Although most of the small amount of targeted readers should hopefully know about thie main events anyway, its better than keeping all of those 'kerrang!' clippings. Apart from a certain lack of musical discription (for the few 'normal' people that might read it) it is highly enjoyable, supremely informative and most delicious. Certainly more worth-the-money than the last batch of 'name' album releases...What a pity that Jon Nodtviedt missed a good chance to actually be noticed by the press for his recent 'evilness'.
Rating:
Summary: A informative and entertaining read!
Review: The book "Lords of Chaos" has given us a unique opportunity to read the thoughts and ideas of some of the most notorious names within the Black Metal scene. The authors Moynihan and Soderland masterfully give us a history of the philosophies (and lack of)which have made Black Metal what it is.From kitschy Satanic melodrama to the revival of pre-christian northern European Heathenism and Nationalistic extremism,all aspects of the multi faceted scene are covered very well. Allthough some "fan" types may have read alot of the information regarding the murders and church burnings before there is surely something here for everyone. Whether a fan of the music,the lifestyle,or just curious about all this hell raising this book is definatley a worthy addition to any good personal library.
Rating:
Summary: pretty interesting
Review: I was dissappointed that the author didn't examine the actual music more, a CD included with the book would have been plenty helpful to introduce the reader to Black Metal. Overall, it was a satisfying history of a rock music scene, which goes to great length to interview the leaders, like All Ages the book on Straight Edge, there were not enough comments from the author. Too many endless quotes from Varg on a variety of topics, much more evaluation and criticism on Black Metal would have helped. More discussion of Black Metal and grindcore would have helped to show its difference between other loud, aggressive and unlistenable forms of music, i.e. Japanese Noise Terrorism...
Rating:
Summary: Flawed, Yet Sadistically Fascinating
Review: I have long been a fan of most subgenres and manifestations of heavy metal, but I never quite made that jump into the dark recesses of "Black Metal." Due to the fact that I knew very little about the scene other than a few names and a few horror stories, I was so stoked when I came across this book in a magazine review that I rushed out immediately, bought it, and started reading. Long story short, I emerged from my room sometime the next day, finished and satisfied. This is not to say, however, that the book is flawless. Although the subject matter and events that worked within the devil's soap opera of this relatively dimutive yet highly influential scene firmly place the book in the "Can't Put It Down" category, my major beef with the book is the writing itself. The authors appear to be torn between a)writing an academic treatise and b)writing a true-crime memoir, neither of which is done exceptionally well. Regardless, I do not believe that this should deter interested parties in reading "Lords of Chaos," as fans of heavy metal, true-crime, and even the academic cultural studies types should thoroughly get much - even if it is only morbid enjoyment - out of it.
Rating:
Summary: The best study to data of the black metal movement.
Review: With Lords of Chaos, Michael Moynihan has crafted an expert journalistic synopsis of the black metal underground in Europe. But this is more than a work of journalism. Moynihan also explores the mythic underpinings of the movement, delving into Northern Europes heathen past. With the combination of meticulous research and well-crafted writing skill, the authors of _Lords_of_Chaos have created a most enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: All one ever needs to know about the Black metal scene
Review: This is about the history of the Norway Black metal scene and about the church burnings and murders to follow. Michael Moynihan has a brillant look into the minds of the greatest black metal bands in the world Mayhem,Burzum,Emperor Etc. you need to read this book
Rating: 
Summary: A Dated guide to Whos Who or WAS In Norways Black Metal !
Review: In reading "Lords of Chaos" I found that alot of this material was already out to the masses via the Internet and Various Zines and Webzines.I found it well reasearched YET too focused on certain members of the Norse BM Scene.I missed the Book Signing in San Francisco near my home but feel the book speaks for itself.It was hyped alot by people including myself but found it to be in repetition alot and most pages are burdened with filler.I was a bit discouraged when the books delays in release got longer and longer adding to the ill fated hype.This is a good book by Blood Axis artist M. Moynihan but alot of as i say filler plauges this book.Its does document The Church Burnings,Deaths: Suicide and Murders,and Graveyard Desecrations(which happen worlwide by the way)I found it a so-so read that just kind of pits whos alive still against each other in print/interview.The oversatuation of the Subjects of Satanism and Neo-Nazi stuff(filler) make the book tedious..All the young Black Metal Fans i have contact with via The www are thrilled about this release yet the Older and Seasoned Fans and Participants of the worldwide Black Metal Scene seem Unanimated about its release...Most have heard it before in years past and its kind of old news by now..I am more interested in the Current USA Black Metal scene where i live than a buch of old news about a handful of Psyco Norsemen Claiming they started this scene..This is a true crime styled book that unfortunately seems to let some of the folk being interviewed hype there own beleifs and Lie about each other...Well the participants in the book almost all got caught so whats so underground about that??A so-so book thats better checked out from the Library if avail there..THE PLUS is the Amount of GOOD Pictures in the Book thats the thing i enjoyed most.."Hails And Good luck in youre reading of the Lords of Chaos"..
|
