Rating: 
Summary: This book packs a punch!
Review: I have found this book to be an overall fantastic read. It has taken me a little longer than usual to get through it though, partially because of it's small print and text-book heavy details. There is a LOT of material covered here and there are details galore to support it which is all very satisfying.Reading this book has left me with a much better impression and respect for REAL occultists. The Media Sensationalism of the "Geraldo Rivera-Age" has very poorly and unfairly stained this group of individuals. This book is the text-book remedy AND a very good read!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and entertaining cultural study of Satanism
Review: I have never been particularly fearful of Satanism, as much of it has always seemed to be a bit on the silly side. Most of the people I have seen in the media who call themselves Satanists (I have never met a real-life Satanist) almost unanimously appear to be either extremely bitter ex-Christians or maladjusted geeks who never outgrew Dungeons and Dragons. However, since there are a lot of people who do fear Satanism and see Satanic world conspiracies everywhere they go, it is a subject most people refuse to view objectively. As a result, most books on the topic invariably tend to be hysterically self-righteous Bible-thumping tomes and/or sensationalistic Geraldo Rivera-esque "exposes" that fail to place Satanism in any kind of social/ historical context. Gavin Baddeley's "Lucifer Rising: Sin, Devil Worship & Rock 'n' Roll" is one of the first books (along with Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind's excellent history of "black metal" music "Lords of Chaos," published in 1998) that offers a serious cultural analysis of Satanism. While it should be noted that Baddeley is a Satanist and is obviously partial to the lifestyle, he maintains a refreshingly objective tone in "Rising." He does not shy away from depicting the hilariously stupid and less savory, truly dangerous people/elements within the movement, while also showing the complexity of a religion with a history that is as rich and diverse (and screwed-up) as any other established faith. As Baddeley explains in the introduction to "Rising," "Satanism is a 'warts and all' approach to existence, a determination to explore extremes of both light and dark." "Rising" is a detailed, often humorous social history of Satanism, with a broad overview of films and (primarily) music with a Satanic bent. The book features multiple interviews with leading figures in the Satanic world, from late Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey to Misfits/Danzig lead singer Glenn Danzig to musician/author/cultural provocateur Boyd Rice. Baddeley oftentimes jumps from brief interview to essay to brief interview within the scope of a few pages and his scattershot approach is sometimes wearying, but never boring. While many of the Satanists interviewed for "Rising" come across as stupid and as weak-minded as any Jimmy Swaggart-follower, there are many (especially LaVey) who come across as thoughtful and intelligent. "Rising" did not convert me to the "dark side," but I did find it immensely entertaining and eye-opening. If you are at all interested in pop culture, subcultural studies and/or religious studies, Rising is a must-read.
Rating: 
Summary: Looking forward to a hellishly good read
Review: I haven't read this book yet, but i've been looking for it since I heard that it mentions Glenn Danzig.
Rating: 
Summary: satan was never so boring!
Review: Not what I expected... Satan seems like a bit of a joke after reading this. If you want to read something evil, go for Lords of Chaos, about the black metal scene in Norway. Now that's a great book about satanism and rock music! It relates a lot of the same information as this book, it just does a better job. Not that this was horrible, it was just kind of mediocre. Buy it and leave it out when your parents are coming to visit! heheheh
Rating:
Summary: FACTUAL & INTERESTING
Review: Primarily focusing on music, it is a wonderful and refreshing objective (if not exactly "pro-") view on Satanism. Of it's kind, a rare book filled with many insightful interviews and viewpoints. As a Satanist, I find very few books that are not hatefully against but then again, we don't need to read volumes that confirm our belief in what is right for our life.
Rating:
Summary: Witty and well-researched
Review: Quite entertaining and well-researched book about the many links throughout history between rock -- well, popular music in general, really -- and the devil. The photographs and interviews (with various dark luminaries) are worth the price of admission alone.
Rating: 
Summary: fun in a National Enquirer kind of way...
Review: Reading this book is akin to watching "Spinal Tap." It's played serious but you can't help but laugh. In that respect, it's a fun book to read, nothing heavy but could be an entertaining afternoon.
The major problem with the book is it's adoration of Anton LaVey. It's been known for some time he was nothing but a conman and most of what he told the public about himself were lies. Despite the author's claim to present Satanism "warts and all," he conspicously avoids the largest wart in the book!
Rating:
Summary: REVEALING AND INFORMATIVE!
Review: The author holds no bars in his views nor does he conceal the matters that have moved the realm of Satanism. The interviews show the individuality of each person that is involved with or has some knowledge of Satanism. He interviews Anton LaVey, Kenneth Anger, other members of the Church of Satan and those of the Temple of Set and other divisions, but he also interviews Glen Benton of Deicide, Glenn Danzig, and other underground masters of dark musik. I didn't agree too much with the beginning of the book but once you start reading it is hard to put down. There were great pictures and the cover by Diabolos Rex is reason enough to buy this book. I truly enjoyed the mixture of Satanism and Musik, finally, someone got it right.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for newcomers in the field
Review: This book by a «card-carrying» member of the Church of Satan has been 8 years in the making. Had it come out before Moynihan and Søderlind's «Lords of Chaos» it would've been viewed as a major addition to the literature on popular, modern-day satanism. But as it stands now, it's mostly an entertaining read, not offering much enlightenment for anyone with a little former knowledge of the field. Also, the author's not very objective position sometimes taint the book, as it paints Anton LaVey and his organization as the «true» satanists and all others as merely wanna-bes. Having said that, this is a well written book, and very cleverly edited, with short interviews with central figures strategically placed throughout the book, along with a huge amount of photos and drawings. The index is useful, but somewhat lacking. For example, bands like Death In June and Psychic TV are discussed in the book, but not listed in the index. The book is divided into three parts, the first being the history of satanism, the second deals with satanism in the 20th century, while the third examines today's social darwinist bands and black metal culture. He's trying to cover a lot of ground for a 256 page book, but succeeds fairly well. Among the people interviewed are Kenneth Anger, Anton LaVey, Blance Barton, David Austen (Temple of Set), King Diamond, Abaddon (Venom), Quorthon (Bathory), Boyd Rice, Michael Moynihan, Paul Valentine (Church of Satanic Liberation), Glen Benton (Deicide), Carl Abrahamsson (White Stains), Thomas Thorn (Electric Hellfire Club), Glenn Danzig and Coop. The interviews with norwegian black-metallers Euronymous/Øystein Aarseth and Count Grishnackh/Varg Vikernes reveal their particular brand of satanic «philosophy» to be some of the most pathetic drivel ever spouted. The only rule seems to be that everyone (including themselves) should suffer as much as possible all the time. They certainly got that fulfilled. Vikernes stabbed Aarseth to death and is now serving a 21 year jail sentence. Baddaley seems to have been working on the book until last minute before going to press, so it's pretty well updated on recent events like the Colorado school slaughter and the aftermath of LaVey's death.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for newcomers in the field
Review: This book by a «card-carrying» member of the Church of Satan has been 8 years in the making. Had it come out before Moynihan and Søderlind's «Lords of Chaos» it would've been viewed as a major addition to the literature on popular, modern-day satanism. But as it stands now, it's mostly an entertaining read, not offering much enlightenment for anyone with a little former knowledge of the field. Also, the author's not very objective position sometimes taint the book, as it paints Anton LaVey and his organization as the «true» satanists and all others as merely wanna-bes. Having said that, this is a well written book, and very cleverly edited, with short interviews with central figures strategically placed throughout the book, along with a huge amount of photos and drawings. The index is useful, but somewhat lacking. For example, bands like Death In June and Psychic TV are discussed in the book, but not listed in the index. The book is divided into three parts, the first being the history of satanism, the second deals with satanism in the 20th century, while the third examines today's social darwinist bands and black metal culture. He's trying to cover a lot of ground for a 256 page book, but succeeds fairly well. Among the people interviewed are Kenneth Anger, Anton LaVey, Blance Barton, David Austen (Temple of Set), King Diamond, Abaddon (Venom), Quorthon (Bathory), Boyd Rice, Michael Moynihan, Paul Valentine (Church of Satanic Liberation), Glen Benton (Deicide), Carl Abrahamsson (White Stains), Thomas Thorn (Electric Hellfire Club), Glenn Danzig and Coop. The interviews with norwegian black-metallers Euronymous/Øystein Aarseth and Count Grishnackh/Varg Vikernes reveal their particular brand of satanic «philosophy» to be some of the most pathetic drivel ever spouted. The only rule seems to be that everyone (including themselves) should suffer as much as possible all the time. They certainly got that fulfilled. Vikernes stabbed Aarseth to death and is now serving a 21 year jail sentence. Baddaley seems to have been working on the book until last minute before going to press, so it's pretty well updated on recent events like the Colorado school slaughter and the aftermath of LaVey's death.
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