Reddit mentions: The best heavy metal music books

Geisha, A Life by Mineko Iwasaki

I love this book by Mineko Iwasaki recounting her days as a Geisha. It's so interesting and packed full of suspense! Definitely a must read! I breezed through it in about 3 days i think. Couldn't put it down!

Extreme, My autobiography by Sharon Osbourne

I love Sharon, and autobiographies to boot! I've always loved reading about their shenanigans and old stories about Ozzy and their early days together. I fun, heart warming read that will provide a ton of laughs!

Going along with that, even better is:

I AM OZZY by Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzys Autobiography. SO FUNNY, I seriously couldn't put it down and even listened to the audiobook on it while on a road trip. Just one funny story and memory after another.


As for standard books:


Extremely loud and incredibly close by Jonathan Safran

Beautiful, heart breaking novel 'Extremely loud and incredibly close' I couldn't put this one down either. The writing is beautiful and the story, incredibly gripping

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The movie adaptation of this book was AWFUL but please don't let it deter you from reading it! This is such a heartbreaking story that seriously kept my attention for days on end. I practically had my nose wedged in the crease, it's so good and paints a wonderfully beautiful picture of what the afterlife could be like, i suppose to those who believe in such things. Definitely worth checking out as well! :)

Argentina FTW! Aguante Kiss! Haha

I would second the book recommendation, but I would do so with "Nothin to Lose" this book, to me, is fantastic and in many ways better than all the individual biographies.

"sealed with a Kiss" by Lydia Criss is also very interesting, as it more of a coffee table book with lots of pics

Your wife's cousin should be aware of the headache it is to buy things abroad and have them get to your place in Argentina...so if you're buying before hand, there's a bunch of stuff that would be hard to get here. Backstage passes are a thing that I wanted to get into and I've never seen them here. I know there's a bunch on eBay and they are not too pricey.

Any of the colored/limited edition vynils would be sweet as well.

There's a shitload of stuff but of course it depends on what he really likes or is after. I'll try to think of a few more things and edit this message later if anything comes up

Here are a few I've read and really enjoyed.

• Marilyn Manson - The Long Hard Road Out of Hello. While I am not a fan, this is a really interesting read. Bryan is very eloquent.
  
• Rex Brown - Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera. Not the most flattering book about of one of my favorite bands, but honest and heartfelt. I consider this a must read for Pantera fans.
  
• The Bloody Reign of Slayer - again a great account of Slayer's history up to about 2007. My only gripe is the author sort of does a review of each album and sometimes he's overly critical.
  
• Eddie Trunk's Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal - This book has SO much information and is worth a read. Eddie is a true fan and gets it right 100% of the time.
  
• Sully Erna - The Paths We Choose: A Memoir. While I am not a huge Godsmack fan, I like their earlier stuff and to this day, Godsmack is one of the best live bands I've ever seen. Any musician who is thinking about trying to break out should read this.
  
• Choosing Death (linked many times in other responses), man, a history lesson totally worth reading...know your roots ;)

The way I learned guitar was simple. I though Metallica was pretty cool right about the time I started messing with guitars. So I got a few tab books like so:

http://www.amazon.com/Metallica-Master-Puppets-Guitar-Tablature/dp/089524358X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411403192&sr=8-1&keywords=metallica+tab

... they are extremely easy to read (no real musical training required), but of course not so easy to play. The tab tells you which notes to play, listening carefully to the song tells you when to play them (or reading the timing notation in the book... but that takes some actual training). I loved playing the songs... even badly and slowly enough that I kept doing it. Eventually I got pretty good.

I'll comment here too and mention a few that I've got that are good. mostly hardcore punk -

misery obscura - the photography of eerie von - must have for any misfits fans. great pictures and anecdotes throughout.

this music leaves stains - great and only top-to-bottom chronicle of the misfits.

get in the van - awesome diary of henry rollins on tour with the mighty black flag.

spray paint the walls - history of black flag.

raymond pettibon - the books (1978 -1985). OOP and very hard to find but a lot of amazing and disturbing art from a fantastic artist from the scene.

fucked up + photocopied - lots of great art from the hardcore scene.

touch and go: the complete hardcore punk zine 79-83 - name says it all.

radio silence: a selected visual history of american hardcore music - tons of great photos of rare stuff from the era.

Depends on what sort of rep you're in to (into?). I read a lot of popular music scholarship. These are books that I have either read or am going to read, in no particular order:

Brad Osborn - Everything in its Right Place: Analyzing Radiohead

Robert Walser - Running with the Devil:Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music

Walter Everett - The Foundations of Rock

Walter Everett - The Beatles as Musicians: The Quarry Men through Rubber Soul, Revolver through the Anthology

† Understanding Rock: Essays in Musical Analysis, ed. John Covach and Graeme Boone

Richard Middleton - Studying Popular Music

Allan Moore - Song Means:Analysing and Interpreting Recorded Popular Song

†Analyzing Popular Music, ed. Allan Moore

† = A bunch of essays crammed into a book. These are nice because you can read a 20-50 page study on a topic and move on.

I'll recommend these as more general reading, geared toward classical music but useful in other styles as well:

William Caplin - Classical Form: A Theory of Formal Functions for the Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven (Every researcher in the field knows or should know this one. I would also recommend Hepokoski and Darcy - Elements of Sonata Theory, which is the other big form book, but it is a veritable tome and hardly light reading. Not that much of what I've recommended is very light.)

Janet Schmalfeldt - In the Process of Becoming:Analytic and Philosophical Perspectives on Form in Early Nineteenth-Century Music (I haven't read this yet, but it's in the same universe of form studies as the above.)

Kofi Agawu - Music as Discourse: Semiotic Adventures in Romantic Music (Agawu has written a lot on various topics and should be on your radar.)

Alfred Mann - The Study of Fugue (Broken up into two parts: part 1 is a history of fugue, part 2 is about fugal technique.)

I'll point you toward this one since it is totally awesome and helped me to understand medieval liturgical music theory and culture (though you might find yourself lost if you are not already familiar with some of the concepts):

Anna Maria Busse Berger - Medieval Music and the Art of Memory

You might also consider ordering a hard copy of some journal issues, as these can be quite compact and give you a lot of breadth.

Journal of Music Theory (JMT)

Music Theory Spectrum (MTS)

While we are on the subject...

That's Henry Rollins of Black Flag fame (among other things) on vocals.

> "I saw the Grateful Dead two days ago down in Chula Vista. They were amazing. That was one of the best shows I've seen in a while. Man, they can play. That was the best sound system I have ever heard. They played a long time. It was great. I'd go see them again in a second."

-- Henry Rollins, Get in the Van

Well done u/ConcealedGhoul!

As far as the Clergy is concerned, Papa Nihil is very much in charge and alive. I love it, because folks in the know who are coming here who see Nihil rather than Copia (for now...) as the Snoo who know that...

Nihil firmly at the top of the sub, as he is for the Clergy :)

I hope to Satan we get a nice Behind the Scenes tome (the Visual History Of/Ultimate History Of) on the inner workings of the Clergy one day...

Something like this...

Or this...

Or this...

I think he got better. He was pretty vicious about Eddie Van Halen back in the 80s, but chilled since then, and apparently EVH and Clapton are cool with each other.

Reading this fantastic VH bio reveals that this is pretty common. All the top guitarists are driven, wanting to be the best. EVH idolized Clapton, but never really felt threatened by anyone on stage until he had to follow AC/DC.

My husband got me this cookbook for Christmas when we first started dating. We didn't know each other that well, but he knew I liked metal and cooking. Some of the recipes are pretty good, and it was fun to read through together.

Oh this is a fun one! The five finger death punch online merch store has non-clothing items. I’m kind of a fan of this neon light. Any neon light would be awesome for her bedroom, like this do what you love one. Or these guitars (ok, done with the neon now I promise! I love it though!). Continuing on the decor theme, wall art?

More ideas:

Adorable yet functional ffdp tote

Interesting book about the history of metal

A little pricey, but great for any music fan and budding creative

heavy metal coloring book...I couldn’t resist!

Ear plugs to protect your ears at shows but are still cool...ish

Check out Duff McKagan's autobiography - It's So Easy: and other lies:

http://www.amazon.com/Its-So-Easy-other-lies/dp/145160663X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377729196&sr=1-1&keywords=duff+mckagan

Great book, gives an awesome first hand account of what happened with GnR, and Duff's experience. One of my favorite metal books, right up there the Motley Crue's autobiography (though this one has much less, though still some, debauchery). Duff comes across as very smart and grounded throughout.

The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal by Danial Buszpan is a pretty good visual history of metal, and I definitely learned about some bands from it. The original edition was a bit dated, but apparently they have a revised and updated edition now.

Also, although it's a bit predictable, The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists by Joel McIver is an entertaining read.

Slash's bio was a good read. Great inside into the beginnings of Gn'R, and Slash's. Also, interesting stuff on their song writing/recording process. E.g., the moans on Rocket Queen were recorded while Axl was having sex with that particular lady in one of the studio rooms.

It was particularly interesting to find out about the connections Slash has had from a young age (e.g., his mom used to date David Bowie, no less; Slash was in the same highschool as Flea, etc.). It sort of shows how very few things in someone's career are truly random. Most of it is being in the right place, at the right time (making it so yourself), sticking with your passion, not giving up, making the right connections.

As for the wild side, I didn't think Slash's drug habit was that out of control. Also, I thought the book gives a good perspective on the LA scene at the time.

The Heavy Metal Fun Time Book would be awesome to color/fill out with the hubby :) Thanks for the contest.

X-ray and Vav

This is a but subjective as I have no idea what you are into. I liked this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_%28autobiography%29 despite not being a huge Guns n Roses fan.

This one is also pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Heroin-Diaries-Year-Life-Shattered/dp/0743486285

If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you. -Whinny the Pooh

My favorite. item.

It has some pretty good reviews. I see there's also a Gangsta Rap Coloring Book and a Punk Rock Fun Time Activity Book by the same Author.

I'll be putting this on my Amazon wishlist and hoping.

band t-shirts are the key to my heart, but that can always get really awkward if you happen to buy the wrong size (in either direction), so make damn sure you know her shirt size.

also the Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book is on my wish list, but I don't think that's gender specific. but honestly, what really is?

If you haven't already read it, Slash's autobiography is really good. Lots of great stories about GNR's history and some details about where different songs came from.

I definitely recommend it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061351431/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zFp6yb1DWRKHM

off the top of my head:

• Bowie In Berlin covers Bowie & Iggy's time in Berlin; really nothing new or groundbreaking, just a deeper look into Bowie's Life at that time.
  
• Manson - Long Hard Road what i thought was going to be fluff and merch was actually a good look into his Life pre-Manson
  
• Scar Tissue the essential "did you read it, bro??"
  
• Three Dog Nightmare - a nice slice of rock excess
  
• A Long Time Gone - a good Asshole AutoBio of David Crosby
  
  and most recently:
  
• Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein is better than expected
  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0060987464/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453577620&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=long+hard+road+out+of+hell&dpPl=1&dpID=51W6Z5ndjBL&ref=plSrch

There ya go! I forgot about Poe. I got a three book collection as a graduation present that was the complete works of poe, one was the complete works of Kate Chopin, and the third was Herman Melville. Poe was always the best. The cask of amontillado was my favorite because how terrifying is being walled up and left to die?! Annabelle Lee is always nice, as well.

You guys would love this book, makes for great reading.

If you're interested in Marilyn Manson, check out his autobiography. It's decently written, and is a pretty cool insight into the man.

Not sociology, but definitely ethnographic: http://www.amazon.com/Running-Devil-Gender-Madness-Culture/dp/0819562602

Not about black metal, but a good read if you are interested in the topic.

You should read his biography! It's a most interesting book which I highly recomend if you'd like to read about his youth.

The book at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Hard-Road-Hell/dp/0060987464

Read his autobiography. It's pretty dated now but gives a good understanding into the mind of Brian Warner.

I would love the heavy metal coloring book on my main list and I think /u/skinslip1 would too!

Life is about using the whole box of crayons.

Clicky

Hey, check out his autobiography. It is a great read! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XIC1GI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

His autobiography "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" is still my favourite book. It was written shortly after Antichrist Superstar, so it doesn't follow-up, but his childhood and adolescence is very, very interesting.

I suggest you get Slash's biography. It's a fantastic read, and truly amazing to hear just how fucked up GnR was all the time on heroin and cocaine.

He talks in depth about his time with GnR.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061351431

Note: I also enjoyed the Motley Crue book, by Neil Strauss I believe. You can really understand what really went on behind the scenes in those wildly popular 80's and 90's hair bands. It's just insanity.

http://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Anniversary-Confessions-Worlds-Notorious/dp/0062012339/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370805772&sr=1-1&keywords=motley+crue+the+dirt

Do I have to pick only one thing? Because there's quite a few, aha.

• Key Ring: Pentagram
  
• Funko Freddy Krueger Pop
  
• Funko Jason Voorhees Pop
  
• Funko Captain Spaulding Pop
  
• Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book
  
• Metallica Monopoly (Does that count?!)
  
• Creepy Doll Head Salt and Pepper Shakers

Kinda off-topic. Looking at the related products on amazon for stuff suggested here I stumbled upon this definitely getting that one.

Today is a badass day because ninjas, ninjas everywhere. I was awoken suddenly by a super sweet guitar solo with a hint of bass. I rolled out of my super comfy bed and ended up in the floor, ...cause gravity. I ate rocks for breakfast with a battle axe in my left hand and a pot on my head, cause helms are hard to come by. On my way to work, I ran into a rude ass wizard. He said to me, "Someone has to deal with all these runaway ninjas. Put that axe to good use". I *swarthily replied, "Silly wizard, you cant use a one armed short axe against ninjas, its not hit capped to counter act their +210 agility. Noob.", and we then decided to get drunk and buy lapdances with a dwarf we picked up at a gas station. I really wished we had done something about those ninjas and all their shadowy shenanigans with a radical vengeance instead. Something hit me on the back of my head. It was a boot. Can you believe that? I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a phone to instgram it. Because really, who throws a shoe? It really belonged to the dwarf. He gave it to me in exchange for my battleaxe.

One day I will get around to those pesky ninjas with extreme prejudice. It will be a battle of legendary ...legend and a little bit of romance. I hope tomorrow is filled with strippers and booze** just like today.

His book with Niel Strauss is a fun read.

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Hard-Road-Out-Hell/dp/0060987464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279503654&sr=8-1

The aspergers is strong in this sub

http://www.amazon.com/All-Known-Metal-Bands-Nelson/dp/1932416927

You should read his book, its really good.

For those interested, you should read this if you haven't already.

It's a fantastic book that's very addicting to read. And cheap!

I personally recommend getting your ass to the library or bookstore and getting two very interesting books:

Running With the Devil: Power, Gender and Madness in Heavy Metal Music by Robert Walser

Heavy Metal: The Music and its Culture by Deena Weinstein

Both are interesting reads and Walser's in particular has a section which memorably compares a particular guitar solo to a Vivaldi violin cadenza... very interesting.

I'm not really much of a death metal person so I can't recommend you anything in the way of bands but the other people who commented sound like they know their shit. :)

It's So Easy: and other lies from Duff McKagan of GNR. It's crazy how much he was drinking daily at his peak!

"A founding member of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver shares the story of his rise to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, his personal crash and burn, and his phoenix-like transformation via a unique path to sobriety. "

Read his book: http://www.amazon.com/Long-Hard-Road-Out-Hell/dp/0060987464/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342806655&sr=1-1&keywords=marilyn+manson

Link For the lazy...

Hellbent for cooking. For fans of metal and cooking. Detailed recipes from bands metal around the world. Lots of recipes some are basic and some very complex.

Archives for links in comments:

• By RoryTate (amazon.ca): http://archive.is/V7t7n
  
• By MagosBiologis (smh.com.au): http://archive.is/Zkp0T
  
  
• By MagosBiologis (news.asiaone.com): http://archive.is/4xI4m
  
  
• By MagosBiologis (straitstimes.com): http://archive.is/zomxb
  
• By throwawaycuzmeh (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov): http://archive.is/IyFMA
  
  ----
  I am Mnemosyne 2.0, Dank memes erry day.^^^^/r/botsrights ^^^^Contribute ^^^^Website

here is the link where i got it man
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/155022798X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually have a heavy metal colouring/activity book. They do exist!

http://www.amazon.ca/Heavy-Metal-Time-Activity-Book/dp/155022798X

Anybody who likes this story should read his autobiography. It's full of absolutely crazy shit, and yet he comes across as a really intelligent, normal guy.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Hard-Road-Hell/dp/0060987464

I WILL HANG IT ON MY DORM WALL

IT WILL MAKE MY ROOM FEEL AT HOME

Inspiration ;D

Hugglewhomp indeed o_o

Is it this one?

I've got a copy too! An ex-girlfriend of mine got it for me while we were dating... I kinda miss that girl, she really got me...

I remember this one. It is middle-school cafeteria grade gossip to be sure, but it's almost believable. He was pretty sexually outrageous and had something of an obsession with medical stuff. His book is pretty fascinating, and goes into some of the crazy shit he and the band actually got up to in their early days, and the rumors aren't all that much weirder than the truth. I talk about him in the past tense like he's dead, when in fact I just haven't paid attention to what he's been up to since the 90's, but was way into that stuff back then.

I actually read it in a book by Robert Walser called Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. From what I recall, the book was quite good, though it was 20 years ago that I read it so I'm not sure what I would think about it now (I'm a lot more skeptical of social theory than I was then given its current state as an academic discipline). I remember especially liking the "high culture" vs "low culture" discussions, and the "cross cultural juxtaposition" phrase was used when he noted similarities between heavy metal and opera. I think he also said that the method is called different things by different people, so maybe this description is his own and not too common. He might even be the originator. I didn't invent it though, unfortunately.