‘Heavy Metal: From Hard Rock to Extreme Metal,’ Available Now!

My book, Heavy Metal: From Hard Rock to Extreme Metal, is now available! This giant hardcover tome, weighing in at over four pounds, covers all you need to know about some of hard rock and metal’s biggest and best bands, from Black Sabbath to Emperor, and from Guns N’ Roses to Metallica. And what's really exciting for me is that the foreword is by Slayer guitarist Kerry King!

The book chronicles the histories of hard rock, heavy metal, thrash, and the various subgenres related to extreme music, including black metal, death metal, grindcore, doom, prog metal, power metal, and more. It examines metal’s culture, and features close-up sections on bands as varied as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Celtic Frost, Napalm Death, and Manowar, recounting their histories, exploits, and what makes them important. These are accompanied by tons of large-scale photos of the bands doing what they do best, rocking onstage. Check it out in the photos below.

Spotlighted bands include: Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Scorpions, Rush, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Queen, Van Halen, Kiss, AC/DC, Rainbow, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Poison, Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Saxon, Manowar, Queensryche, Dio, Dream Theater, Venom, Metallica, Pantera, Anthrax, Slayer, Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Megadeth, Celtic Frost, Mayhem, Immortal, Emperor, Napalm Death, Death, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Savatage, Helloween, Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Ministry, Marilyn Manson, Tool, Korn, and, last but not least, Slipknot.

To purchase from Amazon, click here.

To purchase from Barnes & Noble, click here.

Metal Masters Tour, 8/10/08

Judas Priest



Motörhead

And The Greatest Heavy Metal Song Of All Time Is…

So, I’ve decided the singular best heavy metal song of all time is Judas Priest’s “Tyrant.” Years of (imaginary) statistical proof have proven this. In fact, 1976’s essential Sad Wings Of Destiny is essential. Nevertheless, I went to see Enslaved tonight, and afterward, all I listened to was “Tyrant.” In fact, it’s my most played song on iTunes. It takes Cream’s heavy blooze to the next level, with their calculated harmonies and King-inspired guitar solos (B.B. or Albert, take your pick). And frankly, even compared to “Sunshine Of Your Love” and “Strange Brew,” it just takes it to the next level. BTW, Enslaved played stuff off of Hordanes Land, so check them out. (Best show of ’07 so far!)