Sound of the Beast : The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal

Rating:
Summary: Ok for casual fans
Review: "Sound of the Beast. The complete headbanging history of Heavy Metal" by Ian Christe. Published by Harper Collins Publishers/copyright 2003

I borrowed this book from a friend of mine who knows about my passion for heavy metal. Ian Christe has put together a well-researched book with quite a bit of information about many of the bands that influenced the course of metal history. The full names of band members are always listed, his dates are pretty well right on, and his references are sound. Nevertheless, he spends an INORDINANT amount of time focusing on and discussing the roles of METALLICA and BLACK SABBATH. While there is no question that these two bands had significant influence, he paints them both as metal titans that had the primary influence on metal, relegating all other bands to a secondary status. Further, Ian Christe gives far too much press to the -core bands and nu bands, in effect validating them as part of the heavy metal scene. The current resurgence of metal in Europe is not covered. And his black metal section is confined to a little Venom plus the Mayhem Norwegian criminal incidents of the early 1990's

I read this book with some difficulty. That is, this book did not particularly hold my attention or offer anything that I did not already know. At times, it was interesting to read his perspective on the roles of certain bands. It was also interesting to read his "Genre Boxes" where he lists about 31 different metal genres, describes them, and includes categorized bands. The photos in the book are of medium to poor quality.

I grant you that undertaking the writing of such a book is not easy. There will always be personal biases that come through, despite best intentions. You will never be able to please everyone all of the time in such as endeavor. Let's face it, we metal-heads are a highly opinionated bunch!

In summary, for someone with little historical knowledge of the roots of metal, this is a decent book. But for those who have already spent most of their lives in or around the metal scene, this book offers nothing new at all and in fact disappointed me in its focus. Most metal experienced readers will be under-whelmed by this book. The target audience might more aptly be the readers of Metal-Edge magazine or someone with no true knowledge of the history of our beloved art (perhaps one in the same?) There, this book could have a positive effect in that it does reference many of the main impact bands since 1970.

Rating:
Summary: Ok for casual fans
Review: "Sound of the Beast. The complete headbanging history of Heavy Metal" by Ian Christe. Published by Harper Collins Publishers/copyright 2003

I borrowed this book from a friend of mine who knows about my passion for heavy metal. Ian Christe has put together a well-researched book with quite a bit of information about many of the bands that influenced the course of metal history. The full names of band members are always listed, his dates are pretty well right on, and his references are sound. Nevertheless, he spends an INORDINANT amount of time focusing on and discussing the roles of METALLICA and BLACK SABBATH. While there is no question that these two bands had significant influence, he paints them both as metal titans that had the primary influence on metal, relegating all other bands to a secondary status. Further, Ian Christe gives far too much press to the -core bands and nu bands, in effect validating them as part of the heavy metal scene. The current resurgence of metal in Europe is not covered. And his black metal section is confined to a little Venom plus the Mayhem Norwegian criminal incidents of the early 1990's

I read this book with some difficulty. That is, this book did not particularly hold my attention or offer anything that I did not already know. At times, it was interesting to read his perspective on the roles of certain bands. It was also interesting to read his "Genre Boxes" where he lists about 31 different metal genres, describes them, and includes categorized bands. The photos in the book are of medium to poor quality.

I grant you that undertaking the writing of such a book is not easy. There will always be personal biases that come through, despite best intentions. You will never be able to please everyone all of the time in such as endeavor. Let's face it, we metal-heads are a highly opinionated bunch!

In summary, for someone with little historical knowledge of the roots of metal, this is a decent book. But for those who have already spent most of their lives in or around the metal scene, this book offers nothing new at all and in fact disappointed me in its focus. Most metal experienced readers will be under-whelmed by this book. The target audience might more aptly be the readers of Metal-Edge magazine or someone with no true knowledge of the history of our beloved art (perhaps one in the same?) There, this book could have a positive effect in that it does reference many of the main impact bands since 1970.

Rating:
Summary: Only metal book ever
Review: A lot of posers have tried to cash in on metal fans, but this dude isn't one of them. He is FOR REAL. He knows everything about metal and loves it! I can't believe all the bands in here. Best ever on Black Sabbath, Slayer (rules forever), Napalm Death, Metallica (don't even try to tell me Ride the Lightning isn't one of the best albums ever!), Pantera, and bands I didn't know like Terrorizer, which I've got to get their album. The photos are awesome, including Cliff Burton the night before he died! Throw away all those other books cuz this is it!

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Guide to Downloading Metal
Review: All I knew about heavy metal beforehand was that I wanted to know more. Sound of the Beast filled in the blanks, and surprised me a lot. It's a little overwhelming, but what did I expect? Overall, I was left feeling a lot more respect for metal -- this is really the book that metalheads deserve. They were the rejected, and they built their own universe. Powerful stuff, and plenty funny and scary at times. It's an instant classic, and the lists are very useful, too.

Rating:
Summary: This book has it all
Review: As a 30-something guy who grew up on metal in the early to mid '80s, this book blew me away! When he mentions lost classics like Anvil, Exodus,Exciter, and Cirith Ungol, you know this book is complete. Great pictuures and lists. I highly recomend this book to fellow former long hair freaks!

Rating:
Summary: An almost great book
Review: As a 50 year old original metal fan, I found this book to be pretty damn good, especially as it followed where metal went in the 80s (Iron Maiden/Metallica/Slayer etc) and into the 90s (Korn etc). I was a 16 year old in 1969, and I loved this emerging music, and my only problem with this book is that it is inaccurate. Especially when it tries to say that Black Sabbath invented metal in 1970. In 1968 I loved Blue Cheer (where were THEY mentioned?) as well as Hendrix, MC5, Ten Years After, and the "Truth" album by Jeff Beck group. In 1969 Led Zep, Iron Butterfly (who brought metal/hard rock to the masses) and Deep Purple were all being blasted on my turntable. I loved the first Sabbath album in 1970, but not one of my friends or me thought their music was so radically different than any of the other bands I just mentioned. I'd say the first Hendrix LP (Are You Experienced?) or the first Blue Cheer LP were more radically different than anything before them, so maybe Hendrix or Blue Cheer invented metal. You headbanger kids need to get your facts straight. Ask somebody who was really around back then. I'm not saying I still follow the metal scene today, 'cause I don't. But I do know the beginning of it all.

Rating:
Summary: The "Complete?" Headbanging History of Heavy Metal
Review: First of all, to write this book would be a very hard task indeed and I applaud Christe for attempting it. As with anything, the material contained in this book is very subjective. Most of what is contained in the book is quite good. However, I thought there was way too much Metallica and Death Metal, which is obviously the authors favorite genre. Don't get me wrong I love "Pre"-Load Metallica (meaning Metallica before the album Load) and I like quite a bit of Death Metal. The biggest genre in Metal (Hair Bands) is shoved in to one little chapter and practically glossed over and though he doesn't actually make fun of the genre there are undertones that poke fun of it and indicate the author doesn't care for it much (at all). Now I know that in this day and age it is "cool" to make fun of hair bands but there is no denying that it was the biggest genre of Heavy Metal ever (just look at the sales and concert attendance). Christe also says that by the end of the 80's and the start of the 90's Metal had yet to see it's greatest financial success. Throughout the 90's Grunge and Alternative ruled and if you weren't a very strong supporter of Metal (as I am) it was almost embarrasing for some to admit that they liked metal. It was very uncool to be a metalhead in the 90's. There is no way that metal had greater financial success in the 90's than it did in the 70's and 80's. Other than those few minor discrepencies the book is very well written and very informative. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone even slightly interested in the Heavy Metal genre.

Rating:
Summary: A Rich and Detailed Tapestry / A Heavy Metal Treasure
Review: Having heard that there was an author out there attempting to summarize the past 33 years of metal in a single volume, I was shocked and awed at the superb quality of the outcome. Christe begins with Black Sabbath I and quickly moves forward with his battle plan -- almost nothing escapes his field of vision along the way. The pop culture moments -- like Van Halen's arrival on the scene, MTV's discovery of metal, Crue's Shout at the Devil, and Metallica's big crossover in the 90s -- float like beacons above a morass of fascinating detail on bands like Celtic Frost, Napalm Death, Sepultura, and the creepy crawlers of Norway. Nobody has done better at depicting the difference between Stryper and Deicide, two bands at the opposite poles of planet metal. If your idea of heavy metal is Guns N Roses, you will enjoy this book immensely -- if you swear by Slayer, Metallica, and Megadeth, Sound of the Beast will outright be your Bible, read and re-read until its pages are tattered and torn.

Rating:
Summary: Ian Christe: Master of Reality
Review: Having read quite a few music histories and biographies, the one thing that really stands out about Ian Christe's book is the writing; in a word, superb! Many of the reviews of this book that I've read miss this and gripe, simply because their favorite bands did not get enough coverage. Sure I could complain that Black Flag or the Obsessed or Corrosion of Conformity doesn't get enough coverage, but that wouldn't change the fact that Metallica is simply the most important band in metal. Doesn't mean they are the best, but they, more than any other band, are responsible for metal being as popular as it is today. Christe nails it on the head that heavy metal really started with Sabbath (I like Zeppelin, the Who and Hendrix too, but they were rock bands and spawned an entirely different generation of music). EVERY metal band around owes a debt to Sabbath (for the heaviness, the look, and the orchestration). In addition, he does an excellent job of covering the whole metal scene and a brilliant job in breaking down the genre by sub-genre. The fact that bands such as the Accused, Die Kreuzen and Exodus are mentioned is awesome and the depth and breadth of metal knowledge that Christe has accumulated over the years is impressive. If you are interested in the hard rock-punk evolution, read Rock and the Pop Narcotic (Joe Carducci). For metal, this is the book. Hats off to you Ian! Great book!

Rating:
Summary: Unearths the deep dirt on metal for a popular audience
Review: I applaud Sound of the Beast long and loud. This is a literate, humorous, and thorough look at the true filthy heart of heavy metal. I never thought I would see the day when bands would get their due like Kreator, Megadeth, Bathory, Venom, AC/DC, Voivod, Emperor, Judas Priest, Brutal Truth, Saint Vitus, EXODUS, Mayhem, Raven, the almighty Motorhead...and yes Black Sabbath and Metallica (If you forgot about these bands, you've really lost touch). From 1970 to today, the book does an amazing job of summarizing the careers of these greats, also tracking the rise and fall of glam metal, nu metal, and other doomed trends. To my eyes, these sections were laughable, and it was great to laugh at the excess Hollywood hair bands who were so painful in their day. You have to wonder what kind of country would buy over 8 million Ratt albums! At the end of the day, Black Sabbath triumphs, and it was a great ending to a great odyssey of a book.

I can list 50 bands I wish I saw more about, including Omen, Sortilege, GZR, and so on. Where was the chapter on Eyehategod? But I'm more than satisfied and impressed that the writer left few stones unturned. Some of the quotes by Dee Snider, Rob Halford, and Chuck D are genius. I bought three copies so far, and the only one I kept for myself was stolen. That should tell you something. This book rules, death to false metal books.