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Metallic Dreams
Scottish metal vocalist Spark MacDubh wakes covered in snow on a street of his home town. His most recent memories are of dying and being jolted back to life by a force from the skies. He sets out to restart his band, which fragmented years earlier in a hail of blood rituals, violence, depravity and jail time. Finding his ex-bandmates isn’t easy, but convincing them to abandon their new lives in order to chase old dreams is a monumental task. Hearing voices he believes are celestial, MacDubh leads the band out on tour…and mayhem follows. Their trail of destruction, fornication, occult events and transcendent riffage attracts the attention of a particularly savage demon. As the voices in Spark’s head urge him down ever darker paths, his psyche is stretched to breaking point. Even with help from a Wiccan priestess, a criminal manager, the world’s most eccentric music journalist and an assortment of dead rock stars, the odds are stacked against MacDubh and his gang.
Doubting his own sanity, Spark initiates a meeting with the Devil, who claims to be the band’s only hope of success. Unwilling to sign away his soul, MacDubh decides instead to put the Devil out of business. A fantastic idea but not exactly a practical one. For starters, it requires a trip to Hell. Catch-22? More like Catch-666.
Enter a realm where deities and demons are muses, where the profound is hidden within the profane, and where five uncompromising Scots must put their existence on the line in defence of each other. An immersive journey loaded with hope, humour and the heaviest metal.
“The Devil has all the best tunes? My arse! Metalville just got a new sheriff.”
– Spark MacDubh
Doubting his own sanity, Spark initiates a meeting with the Devil, who claims to be the band’s only hope of success. Unwilling to sign away his soul, MacDubh decides instead to put the Devil out of business. A fantastic idea but not exactly a practical one. For starters, it requires a trip to Hell. Catch-22? More like Catch-666.
Enter a realm where deities and demons are muses, where the profound is hidden within the profane, and where five uncompromising Scots must put their existence on the line in defence of each other. An immersive journey loaded with hope, humour and the heaviest metal.
“The Devil has all the best tunes? My arse! Metalville just got a new sheriff.”
– Spark MacDubh
394 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2010
3 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Mark Rice
7 books115 followersThat other Scottish writer. Grew up surrounded by music, books and animals. Started scribbling stories at age five. At ten, discovered Douglas Adams and heavy metal. Never looked back.
Author of #1 Amazon bestseller Metallic Dreams - an epic tale of mayhem, mischief and metal music, all uniquely Scottish in style. Sequel now complete: longest novel ever written in Scotland; one of the 20 longest novels ever written anywhere.
Compiler and editor of (and contributor to) A Blended Bouquet anthology. Contributor to The Book That Changed My Life along with, among others, actor Brian Cox and fellow Scottish authors Janice Galloway, AL Kennedy and Alexander McCall Smith.
Writer of Heathen Howff, a collection of fiction, non-fiction, philosophical musings and poetry - 36 pieces of work in all. A true Scottish perspective on life, the Universe and everything.
The Cabin Incident is a grown-up reimagining of a timeless tale. Mummy Bear, Daddy Bear and Baby Bear as you've never met them before. It's a novelette loaded with grizzly bears, humour and philosophy (as all good stories should be).
Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Eejit is a riotous short story about a president named Flump (who may seem strangely familiar to many readers). This tale tells of Flump's most outrageous day.
The novelette Revelation Was Wrong is a wild fantastical tale set in Scotland's roughest neighbourhood. When a drunken seer (who has never prophesied anything that actually came to pass) predicts a coming Apocalypse linked to a particular brand of booze, will things unfold as he foretold?
Love in a Wyrd World is a playful feelgood novelette. On the surface it's a tale of revenge and redemption, but at heart it's a love story with a difference.
There's a lot more writing on the way - not just the sequel to Metallic Dreams. Watch this space.
Connect with me at:
www.twitter.com/Metallic_Dreams
www.facebook.com/SparkMacDubh
www.metallicdreams.wordpress.com
Author of #1 Amazon bestseller Metallic Dreams - an epic tale of mayhem, mischief and metal music, all uniquely Scottish in style. Sequel now complete: longest novel ever written in Scotland; one of the 20 longest novels ever written anywhere.
Compiler and editor of (and contributor to) A Blended Bouquet anthology. Contributor to The Book That Changed My Life along with, among others, actor Brian Cox and fellow Scottish authors Janice Galloway, AL Kennedy and Alexander McCall Smith.
Writer of Heathen Howff, a collection of fiction, non-fiction, philosophical musings and poetry - 36 pieces of work in all. A true Scottish perspective on life, the Universe and everything.
The Cabin Incident is a grown-up reimagining of a timeless tale. Mummy Bear, Daddy Bear and Baby Bear as you've never met them before. It's a novelette loaded with grizzly bears, humour and philosophy (as all good stories should be).
Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Eejit is a riotous short story about a president named Flump (who may seem strangely familiar to many readers). This tale tells of Flump's most outrageous day.
The novelette Revelation Was Wrong is a wild fantastical tale set in Scotland's roughest neighbourhood. When a drunken seer (who has never prophesied anything that actually came to pass) predicts a coming Apocalypse linked to a particular brand of booze, will things unfold as he foretold?
Love in a Wyrd World is a playful feelgood novelette. On the surface it's a tale of revenge and redemption, but at heart it's a love story with a difference.
There's a lot more writing on the way - not just the sequel to Metallic Dreams. Watch this space.
Connect with me at:
www.twitter.com/Metallic_Dreams
www.facebook.com/SparkMacDubh
www.metallicdreams.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 11, 2016
Mark Rice is a friend of mine and someone who has an acute appreciation of my brand of humour. So I decided to find out what makes him tick by taking the plunge into the wild universe of heavy metal music. And what a plunge it was! As I said in a previous review, this is my year for reading dangerously. The controls went all the way to eleven!
The prose is the product of painstaking writing and constant self-editing--Mr. Rice is an excellent proofreader and it shows. He's also a master of plot and character. Many of the cast of this drama are based at least partially on real people, and many events narrated therein seem based on his own real-life adventures. I sense, of course, that artistic license was liberally mixed into this tale. But I do wonder to what extent his art imitates his life. After hearing some of Mr. Rice's own anecdotes, I suspect quite a lot of it is reality-based, despite the fact that this is a musically inspired comic fantasy. Names have been changed to protect the innocent--er, guilty--er, well, you know what I mean. (Except that in some cases, I think Mr. Rice didn't even bother to change the names!)
This book is not for the religiously squeamish. The cover features a rather gruesome pentagram which makes it look as if it were inspired by Anton LaVey--so much so that, for the most part, I read this book in small installments and surreptitiously, around the witching hour, hiding it carefully lest my wee mum find it and expire of a heart attack on the spot. Thankfully, Spark MacDubh is not a Satanist, but he is a denim and leather patchwork of different beliefs: he is part Druid, part Wiccan, part Buddhist, part Christian, part Vegan, part Flower Child, part Trussite Stickler (think Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation) and ALL heavy metal.
Neither is this a book for prudes. There is tons of sex in it--and I mean that in the most painfully literal way possible. Some of it made my brain scream, because, appearances notwithstanding, I am a rather a conservative soul in some matters.
The vulgarity of the language is sometimes extreme. No sooner does the ten-year-old Spark come into contact with the music which will change his life then he begins swearing like a wee sailor. And it only goes downhill from there.
This book is a tribute to heavy metal music. It is stuffed with allusions to albums and songs and shows a deep connection to the genre--not to mention a special affection for Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, who makes a series of very memorable appearances. If I knew more about heavy metal, I might have had an easier time identifying with the book. But even without this knowledge, the reader can sense the overarching importance of this music.
And, perhaps even more importantly, in spite of its--ahem--unorthodoxy, this book is a tribute to love, in the name of which its unlikely hero performs transcendent and electrifying feats. And all, be it noted, without dangling any prepositions!
ADDENDUM:
There is now a revised edition (or as I like to call it, a revved ed.) of this novel available. Mr. Rice, dedicated proofreader that he is, has combed meticulously through the first manifestation, altering or excising some passages whilst amplifying others. This would-be Rice roadie wonders how he could possibly have amplified his work, given the elevated position of the controls on the first edition--but there you have it, folks.
The prose is the product of painstaking writing and constant self-editing--Mr. Rice is an excellent proofreader and it shows. He's also a master of plot and character. Many of the cast of this drama are based at least partially on real people, and many events narrated therein seem based on his own real-life adventures. I sense, of course, that artistic license was liberally mixed into this tale. But I do wonder to what extent his art imitates his life. After hearing some of Mr. Rice's own anecdotes, I suspect quite a lot of it is reality-based, despite the fact that this is a musically inspired comic fantasy. Names have been changed to protect the innocent--er, guilty--er, well, you know what I mean. (Except that in some cases, I think Mr. Rice didn't even bother to change the names!)
This book is not for the religiously squeamish. The cover features a rather gruesome pentagram which makes it look as if it were inspired by Anton LaVey--so much so that, for the most part, I read this book in small installments and surreptitiously, around the witching hour, hiding it carefully lest my wee mum find it and expire of a heart attack on the spot. Thankfully, Spark MacDubh is not a Satanist, but he is a denim and leather patchwork of different beliefs: he is part Druid, part Wiccan, part Buddhist, part Christian, part Vegan, part Flower Child, part Trussite Stickler (think Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation) and ALL heavy metal.
Neither is this a book for prudes. There is tons of sex in it--and I mean that in the most painfully literal way possible. Some of it made my brain scream, because, appearances notwithstanding, I am a rather a conservative soul in some matters.
The vulgarity of the language is sometimes extreme. No sooner does the ten-year-old Spark come into contact with the music which will change his life then he begins swearing like a wee sailor. And it only goes downhill from there.
This book is a tribute to heavy metal music. It is stuffed with allusions to albums and songs and shows a deep connection to the genre--not to mention a special affection for Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, who makes a series of very memorable appearances. If I knew more about heavy metal, I might have had an easier time identifying with the book. But even without this knowledge, the reader can sense the overarching importance of this music.
And, perhaps even more importantly, in spite of its--ahem--unorthodoxy, this book is a tribute to love, in the name of which its unlikely hero performs transcendent and electrifying feats. And all, be it noted, without dangling any prepositions!
ADDENDUM:
There is now a revised edition (or as I like to call it, a revved ed.) of this novel available. Mr. Rice, dedicated proofreader that he is, has combed meticulously through the first manifestation, altering or excising some passages whilst amplifying others. This would-be Rice roadie wonders how he could possibly have amplified his work, given the elevated position of the controls on the first edition--but there you have it, folks.
July 30, 2011
It would be inappropriate to review my own book. Instead, here's a verbal exchange that occurred between me and the fearless Scottish beat poet James Pettigrew a few days after he had finished reading it.
SCENE - an East Kilbride pub (The Lee Burn), Scotland, night time.
JAMES: I loved 83 chapters of Metallic Dreams, but it contains two chapters - and you know exactly the ones I'm referring to - that you should be kicked in the gonads for writing.
ME (laughing): Kicked in the gonads? Isn't that a bit harsh?
JAMES (stony-faced): No. It's exactly what you deserve.
ME (laughing even harder): What about freedom of expression? Artistic integrity? My responsibility not to censor my art, especially when it veers into dark places?
JAMES: Fuck those things! You deserve kicked in the gonads and that's all there is to it.
ME: You're fixating on the tiny percentage of the book that offended you, though. If you loved 83 of 85 chapters, I'm happy. I mean, that's a high percentage. It's an A+.
JAMES (still serious-faced): Aye, well you walk around smiling like an idiot, happy with your A+. But one day, when you least expect it, I'm going to kick your gonads.
SCENE - an East Kilbride pub (The Lee Burn), Scotland, night time.
JAMES: I loved 83 chapters of Metallic Dreams, but it contains two chapters - and you know exactly the ones I'm referring to - that you should be kicked in the gonads for writing.
ME (laughing): Kicked in the gonads? Isn't that a bit harsh?
JAMES (stony-faced): No. It's exactly what you deserve.
ME (laughing even harder): What about freedom of expression? Artistic integrity? My responsibility not to censor my art, especially when it veers into dark places?
JAMES: Fuck those things! You deserve kicked in the gonads and that's all there is to it.
ME: You're fixating on the tiny percentage of the book that offended you, though. If you loved 83 of 85 chapters, I'm happy. I mean, that's a high percentage. It's an A+.
JAMES (still serious-faced): Aye, well you walk around smiling like an idiot, happy with your A+. But one day, when you least expect it, I'm going to kick your gonads.
October 19, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It's about a young man, Spark, who always dreamt of becoming a big name in heavy metal music. In his late teens he was part of a band 'Blood Brothers' who went their separate ways before they could make it into the big time. Some years later, Spark has a life changing experience and as a consequence he becomes determined to put his old band back together and live his dream. His belief is that the band will become successful, and he doesn't want to live his life in a dead end job when his passion lies in music. At its core, Metallic Dreams is about finding the courage to follow your dream, no matter how difficult it might seem to be. It is also about the power of love. It is indie fiction at its best, breaking out of the boundaries set by genre, and experimenting with new and exciting ways to write a story. It is extremely funny; hilarious in parts. I almost laughed out loud in public a few times whilst reading it. It does contain some controversial topics and taboo subjects, but those topics are skillfully woven into the story making them a realistic portrayal of very vivid characters' lives and experiences. This book is very original and entertaining. I would recommend Metallic Dreams to music fans, especially rock and heavy metal fans, as you will find much to relate to in the book. Due to some of the content in this book I would say it is only suitable for over 18s. I am looking forward to more books by this talented writer.
April 27, 2012
I'm really unsure how to classify this, it seems to cover so many different genres: music features heavily, fantasy and horror are included, there's lots of sex, tales of friendship and growing up, all shot through with a rich vein of humour.
Having Mark as a Goodreads friend I know and recognise the influence of Zodiac Mindwarp in here, well before his acknowledgement at the book's end.
However, the Mindwarpishness (it could be a word!) isn't the book's only style. At times it felt like a Irvine Welsh novel, not just because of the dialects used, but because of the humour and slightly askew views of normal life. Obviously it Welsh off heroin and on Heavy Metal instead.
It's certainly a rollercoaster of a book, and takes you on a tale of redemption and discovery, anchored around a very genuine set of relationships, which if you can't relate to, then you have no real friends and a very drab childhood to look back on.
If I'm being ever so slightly critical, and it is slight, there were a couple of moments in the book which felt superfluous, more like a carnival sideshow - great fun and entertaining, but detoured from the main story. BUT the book is hugely enjoyable and I congratulate Mark on writing a vibrant, involving and compelling story.
No finer words of praise can I heap than he transported me back to some great childhood memories myself, and inspired me to dig out some great tunes which I hadn't listened to for a criminally long time!
I look forward to your next book!
Having Mark as a Goodreads friend I know and recognise the influence of Zodiac Mindwarp in here, well before his acknowledgement at the book's end.
However, the Mindwarpishness (it could be a word!) isn't the book's only style. At times it felt like a Irvine Welsh novel, not just because of the dialects used, but because of the humour and slightly askew views of normal life. Obviously it Welsh off heroin and on Heavy Metal instead.
It's certainly a rollercoaster of a book, and takes you on a tale of redemption and discovery, anchored around a very genuine set of relationships, which if you can't relate to, then you have no real friends and a very drab childhood to look back on.
If I'm being ever so slightly critical, and it is slight, there were a couple of moments in the book which felt superfluous, more like a carnival sideshow - great fun and entertaining, but detoured from the main story. BUT the book is hugely enjoyable and I congratulate Mark on writing a vibrant, involving and compelling story.
No finer words of praise can I heap than he transported me back to some great childhood memories myself, and inspired me to dig out some great tunes which I hadn't listened to for a criminally long time!
I look forward to your next book!
October 29, 2011
A review by The Chemical Cosmonaut:
I finished reading Metallic Dreams tonight, and enjoyed it right to the end. Other reviewers can give you the literary analysis, but I was just too busy laughing out loud at the wanton rock & roll antics of Spark and his Blood Brothers. Each short chapter is based on a song title,and I'm sure heavy metal lovers will hear their own soundtrack as they race through the chapters.
About two-thirds of the way through, Phil Lynott's voice and the melodies of Thin Lizzy started to gently haunt me, taking me back to my school days. Snatchets of Don't Believe A Word and Roisin Dubh would float into my head at unsuspecting moments. In the car, in a boring meeting, waking up in the morning, more lyrics and other songs would come back to me. I started to remember endlessly playing Live And Dangerous on my little mono record player....and I had to hear it again. Wow! What a re-awakening that was. A private concert on every car journey. I might be a grey, old dad in a navy-blue suit, behind the wheel of a Swedish wardrobe but I was feeling 16 again and Phil and The Boys were playing for me. I suppose most teenagers just devour stuff they like and move on to the next new and wonderful thing, just like Spark and the Bronzehall lads do in Metallic Dreams.
Maybe it needs the older head to truly appreciate the richness of the total package; the effortless storytelling, the intimate observations of life, the pace, the passion, the driving energy, the soulful searching and the mischievous devilry. It's all there in the music, and it's all there in Metallic Dreams. Congratulations to Mark Rice, and thanks for the thrill of it all!!
I finished reading Metallic Dreams tonight, and enjoyed it right to the end. Other reviewers can give you the literary analysis, but I was just too busy laughing out loud at the wanton rock & roll antics of Spark and his Blood Brothers. Each short chapter is based on a song title,and I'm sure heavy metal lovers will hear their own soundtrack as they race through the chapters.
About two-thirds of the way through, Phil Lynott's voice and the melodies of Thin Lizzy started to gently haunt me, taking me back to my school days. Snatchets of Don't Believe A Word and Roisin Dubh would float into my head at unsuspecting moments. In the car, in a boring meeting, waking up in the morning, more lyrics and other songs would come back to me. I started to remember endlessly playing Live And Dangerous on my little mono record player....and I had to hear it again. Wow! What a re-awakening that was. A private concert on every car journey. I might be a grey, old dad in a navy-blue suit, behind the wheel of a Swedish wardrobe but I was feeling 16 again and Phil and The Boys were playing for me. I suppose most teenagers just devour stuff they like and move on to the next new and wonderful thing, just like Spark and the Bronzehall lads do in Metallic Dreams.
Maybe it needs the older head to truly appreciate the richness of the total package; the effortless storytelling, the intimate observations of life, the pace, the passion, the driving energy, the soulful searching and the mischievous devilry. It's all there in the music, and it's all there in Metallic Dreams. Congratulations to Mark Rice, and thanks for the thrill of it all!!
November 4, 2011
Now - to say that a book can swing out of the mists and smack you in the teeth, is a claim many might meet with some derision ... but - and it is a BIG BUT (apologies for the cliche) - 'Metallic Dreams' is that book.
I don't really know what I was expecting as I went in, perhaps a teenage metalhead trip - a Spinal Tap parody - maybe even a drama-esque portrayal of life on the road, complete with comely virgins and buckets of drugs - and, truth told, I got all of those - but it was just the mere veneer on an exquisitly crafted comedial, social exploring, supernatural thriller - that was probably one of the most interesting and profoundly entertaining books I've ever read.
I lapped this book up from the very first page, and watched myself get drawn deeper into the fine array of totally contradictory yet fully unified selection of characters I've ever met on any page - and, to that end, a mirror on friendship and how the strongest bonds in life can be made between people diametrically opposed. Throw in Mark Rice's masteful use of prose, tempo, and the written word in general, and you have a novel that tells it well - and tells it by way of a brilliantly entertaining premiss and setting.
If I was given only five words to say about Metallic Dreams they would be, 'You have to read it.'
I don't really know what I was expecting as I went in, perhaps a teenage metalhead trip - a Spinal Tap parody - maybe even a drama-esque portrayal of life on the road, complete with comely virgins and buckets of drugs - and, truth told, I got all of those - but it was just the mere veneer on an exquisitly crafted comedial, social exploring, supernatural thriller - that was probably one of the most interesting and profoundly entertaining books I've ever read.
I lapped this book up from the very first page, and watched myself get drawn deeper into the fine array of totally contradictory yet fully unified selection of characters I've ever met on any page - and, to that end, a mirror on friendship and how the strongest bonds in life can be made between people diametrically opposed. Throw in Mark Rice's masteful use of prose, tempo, and the written word in general, and you have a novel that tells it well - and tells it by way of a brilliantly entertaining premiss and setting.
If I was given only five words to say about Metallic Dreams they would be, 'You have to read it.'
March 30, 2012
Rabelais Move Over
If you like your Metal Heavy, your humour eye-watering, your sex full-on and your violence uncompromising, then Mark Rice has created the perfect novel for you. This is a Rabelaisian riot of a book, an elegy to Heavy Metal, childhood, adolescence, hope, despair and joy. You can experience the story of Spark MacDubh on different levels. For the ultimate Dyson effect, just press 'play' and you will be hurtled through the chapters, spinning as you go, and shot out at the end covered in fluff and not sure which way is up. Take more control and you can savour the more subtle aspects. This is a story full of great characters drawn here in full colour with 3D Magic Markers. Rice's exploration of the various stages of his hero's life is insightful and laced with hilarity and passion. The writing flows like a river in full spate, the use of language touching on both the poetic and the profane.
Buy it. Read it. But, be warned, you may never be quite the same again! I look forward with keen anticipation to Mr Rice's next novel.
If you like your Metal Heavy, your humour eye-watering, your sex full-on and your violence uncompromising, then Mark Rice has created the perfect novel for you. This is a Rabelaisian riot of a book, an elegy to Heavy Metal, childhood, adolescence, hope, despair and joy. You can experience the story of Spark MacDubh on different levels. For the ultimate Dyson effect, just press 'play' and you will be hurtled through the chapters, spinning as you go, and shot out at the end covered in fluff and not sure which way is up. Take more control and you can savour the more subtle aspects. This is a story full of great characters drawn here in full colour with 3D Magic Markers. Rice's exploration of the various stages of his hero's life is insightful and laced with hilarity and passion. The writing flows like a river in full spate, the use of language touching on both the poetic and the profane.
Buy it. Read it. But, be warned, you may never be quite the same again! I look forward with keen anticipation to Mr Rice's next novel.
February 3, 2012
This journey through the world of heavy metal offers surprising depth. Spark teaches us that growing older does not mean giving up on your dreams, and that anything is possible if you want it bad enough. Of course, he does this with the flare of a slightly depraved rock star, giving a funny, often eye-popping twist to the sweetness of the theme.
The characters are richly developed, the plot unique. If you're a metal fan, you'll appreciate the various music and band references. This book does contain some graphic scenes that could offend some readers, though they work well in the context of the story.
The characters are richly developed, the plot unique. If you're a metal fan, you'll appreciate the various music and band references. This book does contain some graphic scenes that could offend some readers, though they work well in the context of the story.
January 28, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and the length of time it took me to finish it had more to do with my busy schedule than anything else. I appreciated the humour in it, the wonderful references to rock and heavy metal heroes I have loved (and I will say right now that I love Rush and still don't think of them as metal, so there's your rule exception!), and the wonderful ride Mark's eccentric, well-drawn characters went on.
If we were on a ten point rating scale, I'd make this a 9/10, but I am loath to give it a four because Mark's exceptional writing skills deserve a rounding up rather than a rounding down. He loves the written word, and has such a precision of language and ease with his prose that many other writers would be well advised to read this just to understand what it means to strive for excellence in one's manuscript. All that aside, it is a fun read and a great rock and roll ride.
My only complaints are two scenes that I felt added nothing to the story and were even, for me, out of character with how I perceived Spark. Aside from that, the narrative was always moving at a good pace, and I found myself quite attached to many of the characters in the book. There were tender moments, too, and they contrasted beautifully with some of the over-the-top moments. My last objection is one of language, and it has to do with the German musicians in the second half of the story. I am fluent in German (thanks for the childhood lessons, Dad) and I have to say the dialogue rang quite false in places. My German cousins weave between patchy English and their native tongue when I go over to see them, and nothing that comes out of their mouths resembles anything in this story. It was the one false note in what I thought was an otherwise pretty impressive, enjoyable novel. I'm looking forward to the planned sequel, as well as to the rock biography that might be in the works, if only because I hope it is about the man who sang the endlessly beautiful "Still in Love With You", one of my absolute favourite songs ever.
One last comment- I would have gladly paid a bit more for this book, as its quality surpasses the price charged as an ebook.
If we were on a ten point rating scale, I'd make this a 9/10, but I am loath to give it a four because Mark's exceptional writing skills deserve a rounding up rather than a rounding down. He loves the written word, and has such a precision of language and ease with his prose that many other writers would be well advised to read this just to understand what it means to strive for excellence in one's manuscript. All that aside, it is a fun read and a great rock and roll ride.
My only complaints are two scenes that I felt added nothing to the story and were even, for me, out of character with how I perceived Spark. Aside from that, the narrative was always moving at a good pace, and I found myself quite attached to many of the characters in the book. There were tender moments, too, and they contrasted beautifully with some of the over-the-top moments. My last objection is one of language, and it has to do with the German musicians in the second half of the story. I am fluent in German (thanks for the childhood lessons, Dad) and I have to say the dialogue rang quite false in places. My German cousins weave between patchy English and their native tongue when I go over to see them, and nothing that comes out of their mouths resembles anything in this story. It was the one false note in what I thought was an otherwise pretty impressive, enjoyable novel. I'm looking forward to the planned sequel, as well as to the rock biography that might be in the works, if only because I hope it is about the man who sang the endlessly beautiful "Still in Love With You", one of my absolute favourite songs ever.
One last comment- I would have gladly paid a bit more for this book, as its quality surpasses the price charged as an ebook.
May 14, 2012
I must admit that I have never read anything like Metallic Dreams before and it completely took me by surprise. I bought the book after listening to the Melissa Craig & Charity Parkerson podcast where Mark was a guest star. I thought that if the girls were impressed with him and his writing, then I had to read it.
The first surprise was how poetic I found the writing; it certainly wasn’t what I expected of a book full of heavy metal. It sucked me in and forced me to keep reading.
The second surprise was how Spark and the Blood brothers wormed their way into my heart and made me care how they’d end up. They are a bunch of depraved and violent Scottish heavy metal dudes that’ll make you laugh till your stomached hurts one minute and teary eyed on their behalf the next, while reminding you of your love of heavy metal.
You follow the life’s of Spark MacDubh and the Blood Brothers from childhood into adulthood where they struggle to re connect in their search for heavy metal fame. On the way they encounter demons and dead rock legends in a mass of blood and violence, depravity, lost dreams, life, death, love and heavy metal.
I loved the book from the beginning to the end.
The first surprise was how poetic I found the writing; it certainly wasn’t what I expected of a book full of heavy metal. It sucked me in and forced me to keep reading.
The second surprise was how Spark and the Blood brothers wormed their way into my heart and made me care how they’d end up. They are a bunch of depraved and violent Scottish heavy metal dudes that’ll make you laugh till your stomached hurts one minute and teary eyed on their behalf the next, while reminding you of your love of heavy metal.
You follow the life’s of Spark MacDubh and the Blood Brothers from childhood into adulthood where they struggle to re connect in their search for heavy metal fame. On the way they encounter demons and dead rock legends in a mass of blood and violence, depravity, lost dreams, life, death, love and heavy metal.
I loved the book from the beginning to the end.
May 5, 2012
I suspect that all of us have at least one road not taken, where we wish we could either turn back the clock for a do-over, or take a second shot at one of our dreams at a later age. Spark McDubh, the protagonist of Metallic Dreams, pursues his second shot with epic passion after a very near death experience.
Spark adopted heavy metal as the soundtrack of his lifestyle at a very young age. That soundtrack moved to the foreground of his existence in his mid-teens when he started a band. But the recklessness of youth ended the band after one brief gig.
Spark’s journey to reform the band and make metal history several years later makes for a very compelling story. Author Mark Rice stirs all of our senses with well-crafted prose and the authentic perspective on someone who knows his subject with great intimacy.
Two thumbs way up for Metallic Dreams. Music, fantasy, and unforgettable characters make this novel a must read. Perhaps it will inspire you to revisit an unrealized dream of your own.
Spark adopted heavy metal as the soundtrack of his lifestyle at a very young age. That soundtrack moved to the foreground of his existence in his mid-teens when he started a band. But the recklessness of youth ended the band after one brief gig.
Spark’s journey to reform the band and make metal history several years later makes for a very compelling story. Author Mark Rice stirs all of our senses with well-crafted prose and the authentic perspective on someone who knows his subject with great intimacy.
Two thumbs way up for Metallic Dreams. Music, fantasy, and unforgettable characters make this novel a must read. Perhaps it will inspire you to revisit an unrealized dream of your own.
October 14, 2013
Completely bonkers and fantastic in the true sense of the word, but if you don't have at least an understanding of the music, you probably won't get it.
Great story of friendship and growing up, with hilarious highs and lows along the way, before a final shot at chasing the dream.
Throughout the book I was laughing so much it hurt. Probably not such a good idea as I'm recovering from surgery, but I don't think I've read anything that laugh-outloud funny since I discovered Tom Sharpe at age fifteen.
Looking forward to Metallic Dreams 2....
Great story of friendship and growing up, with hilarious highs and lows along the way, before a final shot at chasing the dream.
Throughout the book I was laughing so much it hurt. Probably not such a good idea as I'm recovering from surgery, but I don't think I've read anything that laugh-outloud funny since I discovered Tom Sharpe at age fifteen.
Looking forward to Metallic Dreams 2....
May 17, 2012
Metallic Dreams tells the story of Spark McDubh; a middle-aged Scotsman whose ambitions to become a rock star are thwarted in his late teens by circumstance and the actions of others. He apparently dies on his way to work one morning and then finds himself resurrected with a new found sense of purpose - to reform the band and create a new force in the world of heavy metal.
There were lots of things about this book I really liked and a couple of things I was not so keen on.
It's a well-written and cleverly constructed book, with excellent descriptive passages and quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. As a middle-aged Scotsman who plays bass in a heavy metal band, much of the book was evocative and poignant on a personal level. The bands, places, characters and the experiences often struck a real chord (ahem!) with me. The characters are, on the whole, well developed and likeable. The camaraderie and affection between the characters is often touching and moving.
The story is part fable and part Norse mythology, updated and transported to recent times in Scotland and the US. It features lots of supernatural, surreal and quasi-religious incidents and themes. For many other readers this would undoubtedly appeal but these elements of the story appealed less to me than the realistic elements. However, the clue is in the title, so I did not worry about it too much.
My only real criticism was with some of the dialogue. The Scots is partially phonetic and mostly colloquial, which was fine (I am Scottish after all!) and in the main worked well. However, I felt the same treatment of other accents was less effective - the German characters in particular being very irritating and I began to skim over what they were saying. I presume they were deliberately over the top but, for me, it didn't work.
Overall, it's a funny, entertaining and well-written story. It is however, very laddish. I am not sure that it would appeal as strongly to women as it would to men. It contains a lot of blokey banter, fighting and extremely graphic tales of sexual encounters undertaken by jack-the-lads. As a fellow Scot, I got the author's playful, tongue-in-cheek (sometimes literally!) approach to sexism, racism, homophobia and so on but some more sensitive souls might take offence at the language used. However, this is the way lads in Scotland talk amongst themselves in these situations, so it is an accurate portrayal that adds realism to the majority of the dialogue.
If you have a robust sense of humour, love rock music or ever been in a band, and are interested in the supernatural/spiritual I think you would thoroughly enjoy this book.
There were lots of things about this book I really liked and a couple of things I was not so keen on.
It's a well-written and cleverly constructed book, with excellent descriptive passages and quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. As a middle-aged Scotsman who plays bass in a heavy metal band, much of the book was evocative and poignant on a personal level. The bands, places, characters and the experiences often struck a real chord (ahem!) with me. The characters are, on the whole, well developed and likeable. The camaraderie and affection between the characters is often touching and moving.
The story is part fable and part Norse mythology, updated and transported to recent times in Scotland and the US. It features lots of supernatural, surreal and quasi-religious incidents and themes. For many other readers this would undoubtedly appeal but these elements of the story appealed less to me than the realistic elements. However, the clue is in the title, so I did not worry about it too much.
My only real criticism was with some of the dialogue. The Scots is partially phonetic and mostly colloquial, which was fine (I am Scottish after all!) and in the main worked well. However, I felt the same treatment of other accents was less effective - the German characters in particular being very irritating and I began to skim over what they were saying. I presume they were deliberately over the top but, for me, it didn't work.
Overall, it's a funny, entertaining and well-written story. It is however, very laddish. I am not sure that it would appeal as strongly to women as it would to men. It contains a lot of blokey banter, fighting and extremely graphic tales of sexual encounters undertaken by jack-the-lads. As a fellow Scot, I got the author's playful, tongue-in-cheek (sometimes literally!) approach to sexism, racism, homophobia and so on but some more sensitive souls might take offence at the language used. However, this is the way lads in Scotland talk amongst themselves in these situations, so it is an accurate portrayal that adds realism to the majority of the dialogue.
If you have a robust sense of humour, love rock music or ever been in a band, and are interested in the supernatural/spiritual I think you would thoroughly enjoy this book.
April 22, 2012
Let me tell you, if you ever had aspirations of becoming a "Metal Head" this will provide a most interesting road map.
You are introduced to a group of hard living Scott's trying to find a way into the likes of their idols. Axel Rose, Phillip Lynott, Jimi Hendricks, White Snake, Metallica and a host of others.
Each chapter of the book is a stroll down memory lane for those who lived and followed the life of the head bangers. Brings back shades of "Wayne's World." For some that might seem a bit mundane but there is a really cool twist during this journey of "toughs." It has a good dashing of the paranormal thrown in for good measure. I know when I was growing up listening to the tamer versions of R&R, many of the kids (including myself) felt those who were into the "hard rock set" were into satanic rituals and the lot. Well Mr. Rice ingeniously inserts that phenomena through the book. On several occasion the "Metal Gods" come to the rescue or the demise of our Scottish lads at the most interesting, captivating, and unexpected of times.
As with all rock stories, sex (not drugs-very refreshing) is the one of the main goals for the boys to follow their dreams and become the next big thing in the "Metal Head" scene. The notches on the bedpost they imagine have no bounds or barriers.
This book is not for the faint-of-heart or those with weak stomachs because the sexual antics are more then some might be able to fathom, much less digest. It did get to the point of being ludicrous and over-bearing at times. Other than that minor flaw, this is a must for those who want a look into unfulfilled dreams re-ignited and re-pursued. Did you think about what could have happened if those dreams of teenage years would have been acted on instead of following the pack, getting a job and becoming complacent? Our five lads throw caution to the wind (with a bit of resistance) and go back to reawaken the cravings and dreams of youth lost.
The ending of the book is well crafted and finished. If the reader makes an assumptions on where the story is headed, it is a mistake. Will fame and fortune be theirs? Will the "Metal Gods" smile once more? Or will a tribute be paid to fallen warriors of the past? Get a copy and enjoy the journey.
I have suggested this book too many of my associates and friends who will truly appreciate a walk into the halls of musical martyrdom and history.
Well done Mark.
December 6, 2015
If there was an option to give this book 10 out of 5 stars, I would. I'll just have to settle with 5.
'Metallic Dreams' is an epically proportioned tale of Heavy Metal, drinking, sex, drugs, violence, insanity, and brushes with Hellish oblivion. What makes it stand above all others of its kind (if one can even truly say it has a "kind" - I say it stands alone) is that those are only the assumed requisites of the Heavy Metal world. The book's true focus is on hope, love without restriction, brotherhood, timeless passion, legendary dedication, and all it takes to 'Transcend Everything' (read the book and you'll know what I mean).
I have a distinct fondness for the juxtaposition between such beautiful, flowing narrative and the short, quippy, crude, Scottish dialogue in this novel - the higher awareness of the detail mixed with the wonderfully brutal, violent, bash-you-in-the-face stories in which the characters find themselves. Within the gorgeous writing style is a mix of scenes, all disgusting, beautiful, gritty, and exciting. This book is visceral, hilarious, wild, and bare-boned. Not for the feint of heart, but exactly what you need if you're a reader who thrives on books about the darker, and then necessarily lighter, sides of life.
This novel was written so well, the characters and scenes so real, that every time the brilliantly plotted paranormal elements appeared, I was forced to remember this isn't a true story. But it should be.
Mark Rice has one more fan who will buy everything he writes, without question and with more anticipation than I remember having for another author's future works. The sequel to 'Metallic Dreams' is going to be a feat of destiny, and Mark Rice holds the reins.
'Metallic Dreams' is an epically proportioned tale of Heavy Metal, drinking, sex, drugs, violence, insanity, and brushes with Hellish oblivion. What makes it stand above all others of its kind (if one can even truly say it has a "kind" - I say it stands alone) is that those are only the assumed requisites of the Heavy Metal world. The book's true focus is on hope, love without restriction, brotherhood, timeless passion, legendary dedication, and all it takes to 'Transcend Everything' (read the book and you'll know what I mean).
I have a distinct fondness for the juxtaposition between such beautiful, flowing narrative and the short, quippy, crude, Scottish dialogue in this novel - the higher awareness of the detail mixed with the wonderfully brutal, violent, bash-you-in-the-face stories in which the characters find themselves. Within the gorgeous writing style is a mix of scenes, all disgusting, beautiful, gritty, and exciting. This book is visceral, hilarious, wild, and bare-boned. Not for the feint of heart, but exactly what you need if you're a reader who thrives on books about the darker, and then necessarily lighter, sides of life.
This novel was written so well, the characters and scenes so real, that every time the brilliantly plotted paranormal elements appeared, I was forced to remember this isn't a true story. But it should be.
Mark Rice has one more fan who will buy everything he writes, without question and with more anticipation than I remember having for another author's future works. The sequel to 'Metallic Dreams' is going to be a feat of destiny, and Mark Rice holds the reins.
January 10, 2018
A roller coaster ride into the life (past and present) of Spark McDubh and his band of blood brothers as they attempt to create the best rock band in history... without the Devil's help.
The book has a real mix of gritty realism to supernatural elements, which when reading the initial blurb I thought would be over-done and a little cheesy but the two are so superbly mixed together that I never thought that it got unrealistic despite deals with the devil, gates to hell and demons - because the book gives you such a realistic set of characters and events you just assume that it may well be possible!
The story well and truly sucked me in, the narrative is extremely well-written and almost poetic in places despite the sometimes shady content (warning: it does contain very adult and graphic themes at times), it's also a lot longer than it seems on the surface which was rather detrimental to my sleeping as I was unwilling to put it down! All of the characters are so detailed and given amazing depth and the story really takes you on a journey, not only in terms of character development but also in terms of plot which had me cringing, laughing aloud and crying alternately. Despite only knowing the bare basics of the genre of rock music, nothing went over my head and everything seemed well explained but never patronising. The only bit that had me slightly confused was the end chapter, but after a quick google I realised my mistake and got the reference. The Scottish dialect was well-used too (just in dialogue) and gave the book a nice flow.
The book has a real mix of gritty realism to supernatural elements, which when reading the initial blurb I thought would be over-done and a little cheesy but the two are so superbly mixed together that I never thought that it got unrealistic despite deals with the devil, gates to hell and demons - because the book gives you such a realistic set of characters and events you just assume that it may well be possible!
The story well and truly sucked me in, the narrative is extremely well-written and almost poetic in places despite the sometimes shady content (warning: it does contain very adult and graphic themes at times), it's also a lot longer than it seems on the surface which was rather detrimental to my sleeping as I was unwilling to put it down! All of the characters are so detailed and given amazing depth and the story really takes you on a journey, not only in terms of character development but also in terms of plot which had me cringing, laughing aloud and crying alternately. Despite only knowing the bare basics of the genre of rock music, nothing went over my head and everything seemed well explained but never patronising. The only bit that had me slightly confused was the end chapter, but after a quick google I realised my mistake and got the reference. The Scottish dialect was well-used too (just in dialogue) and gave the book a nice flow.
October 3, 2012
All hail the Metal Gods or so the lead character in this laugh a minute book would like you to believe. So its a shame that Spark MacDubb a wannabe Scottish rock singer drops dead on a snow-covered street before his dream materialized, the end!!
Or it would have been but for the intervention by what he calls lightning from Heaven that Sparked (pun intended) MacDubb back to life. Thinking it’s the work of the metal gods and that he is receiving their instructions Spark gets his old band back together with a view to greatness.
The book goes into the background of Spark and his love of Heavy Metal Music and why his band split up, what he has to do to get them back together and their first lot of gigs.
I think of this book as a rough diamond in need of a cut and polish so that everyone can finally see the hidden worth underneath.
I would also add a warning that there are two chapters that may offend, do what I did skip them as they add nothing to the story.
Or it would have been but for the intervention by what he calls lightning from Heaven that Sparked (pun intended) MacDubb back to life. Thinking it’s the work of the metal gods and that he is receiving their instructions Spark gets his old band back together with a view to greatness.
The book goes into the background of Spark and his love of Heavy Metal Music and why his band split up, what he has to do to get them back together and their first lot of gigs.
I think of this book as a rough diamond in need of a cut and polish so that everyone can finally see the hidden worth underneath.
I would also add a warning that there are two chapters that may offend, do what I did skip them as they add nothing to the story.
October 25, 2012
Loved it. Heavy metal music, demons and the ever-present Spark. All of them running around on this demonic bent to heavy metal heaven. A great fun, depraved run.
Read
January 4, 2014¡Very Metal!
November 2, 2015
surprised how much I enjoyed this one, had it on my kindle for ages and kept putting it off.
One of the funniest books I've read in a while
One of the funniest books I've read in a while
April 9, 2020
Metal madness
Not what I was expecting at all, but thoroughly enjoyed the crazy metal journey it took me on. I look forward to the next installment.
Not what I was expecting at all, but thoroughly enjoyed the crazy metal journey it took me on. I look forward to the next installment.
May 18, 2023
Not for the faint of heart
I cannot say enough about this book. It is filled with heavy metal references, some of which I “got” and even more that I didn’t. I listen to Dean Martin and the Rat Pack more than any other style of music now, but still have been known to “Rock Out” or fill my ears with pop music.
The first time I read “Metallic Dreams”, I will say I was shocked but impressed. The storyline was something fresh and original. I had my eyes opened to a whole different perspective, to say the least. The hero had trials and tribulations, tragedy and triumph, the characters were well- developed and the dialogue was believable and modern. It was graphic and poignant, sweet and raunchy. It was like nothing I had ever read before.
At time of writing this, I have already read Metallic Dreams 3 times and each time I find another bit that speaks to me. Witches, the Devil, Metal Gods, youthful high-jinx and mature decisions. I got a taste of growing up in Scotland as a young boy (which I am not and did not obviously) and into the mind of an aspiring heavy metal legend. I saw the bonds between friends get stretched and strengthened in my mind’s eye.
As a warning, there are a few scenes that might be shocking to some readers, there were a few occasions that I did not like (on a personal level) a few characters at various points but it was not that I didn’t like how they were written. Rather, they were written so well that I could imagine they were real people with real personalities and flaws.
I don’t doubt that this book will resonate more with male readers and heavy metal fans than other demographic, but I urge everyone to step out of your genre comfort zone and read this tale of magic, strength, dreams and redemption, but only if you are not easily shocked or offended.
RECOMMEND?
I recommend this to Scottish readers, lovers of heavy metal and anyone who has an affinity for bathroom humor.
This review appeared on my website.
DISCLAIMER
I purchased this book in eBook format in 2014 and was gifted a print edition by the author in 2015. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I cannot say enough about this book. It is filled with heavy metal references, some of which I “got” and even more that I didn’t. I listen to Dean Martin and the Rat Pack more than any other style of music now, but still have been known to “Rock Out” or fill my ears with pop music.
The first time I read “Metallic Dreams”, I will say I was shocked but impressed. The storyline was something fresh and original. I had my eyes opened to a whole different perspective, to say the least. The hero had trials and tribulations, tragedy and triumph, the characters were well- developed and the dialogue was believable and modern. It was graphic and poignant, sweet and raunchy. It was like nothing I had ever read before.
At time of writing this, I have already read Metallic Dreams 3 times and each time I find another bit that speaks to me. Witches, the Devil, Metal Gods, youthful high-jinx and mature decisions. I got a taste of growing up in Scotland as a young boy (which I am not and did not obviously) and into the mind of an aspiring heavy metal legend. I saw the bonds between friends get stretched and strengthened in my mind’s eye.
As a warning, there are a few scenes that might be shocking to some readers, there were a few occasions that I did not like (on a personal level) a few characters at various points but it was not that I didn’t like how they were written. Rather, they were written so well that I could imagine they were real people with real personalities and flaws.
I don’t doubt that this book will resonate more with male readers and heavy metal fans than other demographic, but I urge everyone to step out of your genre comfort zone and read this tale of magic, strength, dreams and redemption, but only if you are not easily shocked or offended.
RECOMMEND?
I recommend this to Scottish readers, lovers of heavy metal and anyone who has an affinity for bathroom humor.
This review appeared on my website.
DISCLAIMER
I purchased this book in eBook format in 2014 and was gifted a print edition by the author in 2015. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
January 13, 2024
Good read
Metallic Dreams unleashes a relentless odyssey as Scottish metal vocalist Spark MacDubh rises from the snowy depths, resurrecting his band amid chaos and celestial whispers. Fueled by hope, humor, and the heaviest metal, MacDubh's journey leads to a showdown with the Devil himself. Packed with occult events, dead rock stars, and a Wiccan priestess, this immersive tale defies convention and explores a realm where deities and demons become muses. A triumphant narrative loaded with mayhem, Metallic Dreams is the ultimate headbanger's odyssey.
Metallic Dreams unleashes a relentless odyssey as Scottish metal vocalist Spark MacDubh rises from the snowy depths, resurrecting his band amid chaos and celestial whispers. Fueled by hope, humor, and the heaviest metal, MacDubh's journey leads to a showdown with the Devil himself. Packed with occult events, dead rock stars, and a Wiccan priestess, this immersive tale defies convention and explores a realm where deities and demons become muses. A triumphant narrative loaded with mayhem, Metallic Dreams is the ultimate headbanger's odyssey.
December 11, 2023
I laughed so hard that I cried, in parts. I had incredibly visceral reactions to some of the writing. I will say the writing is not for the delicate. I'm not a huge metalhead trivia person. I enjoy music, I listen to everything, some stuff you might not understand if you're not vastly into metal, but that's okay. The story walks you through it.
January 3, 2013
There were so many disturbing things about this book. The over-the-top graphic sexual descriptions, coupled with the amount of sex that Spark and his claimed to have, even as nobody teenagers, was pretty unbelievable. The worst encounters were the Rape, followed closely by the Redemption (or Vengeance, depending in which way you're looking at it). If you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about; if you haven't, trust me, you don't want to know more. There's also the weird flying dreams, the witchy premonitions, the encounters with the literal Devil, including a trip to Hell and back, and the body-morphing channeling of a dead rock star.
I don't want to waste much time talking about the stuff I disliked, though. I'd rather mention the stuff I did like, what kept me reading through the end.
Spark and his bandmates and blood brothers are interesting characters who grow and change throughout the course of the book. Each of them has a little crazy inside, and has to battle that in different ways. What I love most about them, is how dedicated they are to one another, both in childhood and once Spark has reunited them as adults. They might physically fight and call each other names, but in the end, they have one another's backs to the death, no matter what.
Spark is a interesting guy. For someone who believed so whole-heartedly in the Band, it's hard to see how he could let so much time pass without contact. That it took dying and coming back to life to set him back on the right path isn't so much for a surprise as a seeming inevitability. Part if me wonders why it took so long. I love how doggedly he pursued the other guys, how dedicated he was to making sure they were the best they could be. And I loved his relationship with Sunshower, Oz's daughter and the cutest, spunkiest little metalhead in the world.
The rest of the characters were fascinating, too. DT is the crazy-eyed sex fiend whose jail-time introspection mellowed him, allowing him to eventually transform into his true riff-shredding, guitar-rock-god self. Sunshower called him Mr. Tight Pants with girl's hair for a reason, and that's how I picture him. Ozzy is a giant bear of a man, broken and wounded at times, but always softhearted and eventually healing. Iain was a dreamer lost in a fantasy world, both when he insisted on only playing air guitar as a teenager and when he repeatedly gave himself concussions to transform into a dead rock star. Iain probably made the least sense to me. Then there's Pete, the über-intelligent, analytical, demon-fearing keyboardist, who studied the effects if sound perhaps a bit too much. These guys really felt like my friends and family by the end, and I was happy to see each of their successes roll in.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how funny a lot of this book was. When the guys get together, they can be pretty hilarious, and most of their tour had me laughing. The gay German metal band they toured with cracked me up.
There were lots of other fun side characters, who maybe didn't have a big pierce of the action, but still made an impact. Unfortunately, almost all of the female characters had very little character development or depth. Sunshower was adorable, but she's really the only female we get to know very well, and even that us very limited. She might have an old soul, but she's still a kid. The rest of the females didn't have much to them. All we know about Kimberley, the love of Spark's life, is that she was a ballbuster who shit the rest of the high school guys down, they had a magical connection that made their sex fantastic, she was heart-broken when Spark moved back to Scotland, Spark never stopped loving him, and she magically tracked him down after he ended up famous. Lisa, Pete's girlfriend, loved him since high school for his deep musical abilities and basically hated the rest of the guys. The rest of the females were in and out if their lives quickly.
So, is this book for you? I enjoyed it for the most part, but you should be prepared and willing to read the following before you start: lots of swearing, vulgar description of sex acts, lots of talk about various sexual organs, both homoerotic and homophobic talk, racist slave/master/kkk sex roleplay, demonic appearances, witches and strange dreams. The funniness and the characters makes up for the uncomfortable for the most part, but you should be prepared, and don't be afraid to skim if it gets too much.
As an endnote, I feel like I should mention that I'm probably not the intended audience for this book. I'm not actually a heavy medal fan, so my knowledge of all the musical references in here were very superficial. If you are well-versed in the history of medal, then you will probably get a lot more out of the musical aspects than I did. And that's ok.
I don't want to waste much time talking about the stuff I disliked, though. I'd rather mention the stuff I did like, what kept me reading through the end.
Spark and his bandmates and blood brothers are interesting characters who grow and change throughout the course of the book. Each of them has a little crazy inside, and has to battle that in different ways. What I love most about them, is how dedicated they are to one another, both in childhood and once Spark has reunited them as adults. They might physically fight and call each other names, but in the end, they have one another's backs to the death, no matter what.
Spark is a interesting guy. For someone who believed so whole-heartedly in the Band, it's hard to see how he could let so much time pass without contact. That it took dying and coming back to life to set him back on the right path isn't so much for a surprise as a seeming inevitability. Part if me wonders why it took so long. I love how doggedly he pursued the other guys, how dedicated he was to making sure they were the best they could be. And I loved his relationship with Sunshower, Oz's daughter and the cutest, spunkiest little metalhead in the world.
The rest of the characters were fascinating, too. DT is the crazy-eyed sex fiend whose jail-time introspection mellowed him, allowing him to eventually transform into his true riff-shredding, guitar-rock-god self. Sunshower called him Mr. Tight Pants with girl's hair for a reason, and that's how I picture him. Ozzy is a giant bear of a man, broken and wounded at times, but always softhearted and eventually healing. Iain was a dreamer lost in a fantasy world, both when he insisted on only playing air guitar as a teenager and when he repeatedly gave himself concussions to transform into a dead rock star. Iain probably made the least sense to me. Then there's Pete, the über-intelligent, analytical, demon-fearing keyboardist, who studied the effects if sound perhaps a bit too much. These guys really felt like my friends and family by the end, and I was happy to see each of their successes roll in.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how funny a lot of this book was. When the guys get together, they can be pretty hilarious, and most of their tour had me laughing. The gay German metal band they toured with cracked me up.
There were lots of other fun side characters, who maybe didn't have a big pierce of the action, but still made an impact. Unfortunately, almost all of the female characters had very little character development or depth. Sunshower was adorable, but she's really the only female we get to know very well, and even that us very limited. She might have an old soul, but she's still a kid. The rest of the females didn't have much to them. All we know about Kimberley, the love of Spark's life, is that she was a ballbuster who shit the rest of the high school guys down, they had a magical connection that made their sex fantastic, she was heart-broken when Spark moved back to Scotland, Spark never stopped loving him, and she magically tracked him down after he ended up famous. Lisa, Pete's girlfriend, loved him since high school for his deep musical abilities and basically hated the rest of the guys. The rest of the females were in and out if their lives quickly.
So, is this book for you? I enjoyed it for the most part, but you should be prepared and willing to read the following before you start: lots of swearing, vulgar description of sex acts, lots of talk about various sexual organs, both homoerotic and homophobic talk, racist slave/master/kkk sex roleplay, demonic appearances, witches and strange dreams. The funniness and the characters makes up for the uncomfortable for the most part, but you should be prepared, and don't be afraid to skim if it gets too much.
As an endnote, I feel like I should mention that I'm probably not the intended audience for this book. I'm not actually a heavy medal fan, so my knowledge of all the musical references in here were very superficial. If you are well-versed in the history of medal, then you will probably get a lot more out of the musical aspects than I did. And that's ok.
December 19, 2012
Metallic Dreams doesn't just tread on your average person's sensibilities, this novel turns the volume up full blast and goes in with a raging boner. You have been warned. Mark Rice taught me some incredibly colourful language, and I will *never* quite be able to look at Polyfilla in the same way. "Not for the faint-hearted" is possibly the understatement of the year, and I consider myself fairly open-minded but there were even a few scenes that sent my eyebrows shooting way up my forehead.
But, since I hang around with musicians and have in the past played in an assortment of metal and goth bands, I thoroughly enjoyed this music-themed romp, despite the (very) offensive content and excessive vulgarity. So, well done there, Mr Rice. You've succeeded in giving me the nasty giggles of horror.
Then, for anyone who's ever loved metal or for those who don't know much but would like a bunch of awesome suggestions, Metallic Dreams lives up to its title, and takes music-lovers on a journey of remembering the greats. Rice's appreciation of the genre is abundantly apparent, and from the perspective of a fellow fan, I enjoyed his observations. So another huge-ass disclaimer: if you don't like metal then for the love of all that's unholy DON'T read this book.
Most of all, Metallic Dreams does not take itself too seriously, which saves it at the end of the day. Yes, the humour is crude and often outrageous, but it marries up well to the latter-day Faustian theme as we follow the doings of Spark and his Blood Brothers.
The only thing that detracted from the overall effect was the actual length of the book. It's way too long, and loses some of the impact due to its drawn-out nature. By the time I reached the halfway mark, I was quite exhausted, and found that I could only handle a chapter at a time with each sitting. That being said, what ameliorated the pacing issues was the characterisations and the seemingly unrelated routines. The plot is convoluted, and gives the sense of a journal rather than what one would expect climax-wise in standard fantasy. So, yeah, it's not great, but if you're reading this in episodes, like I did, it doesn't bother as much.
Overall, this is an incredible, playful orgy of bloke-geared humour. Sex, drugs, metal and violence is all wrapped up with an infernal ribbon. And I'll say it again. You've been warned.
But, since I hang around with musicians and have in the past played in an assortment of metal and goth bands, I thoroughly enjoyed this music-themed romp, despite the (very) offensive content and excessive vulgarity. So, well done there, Mr Rice. You've succeeded in giving me the nasty giggles of horror.
Then, for anyone who's ever loved metal or for those who don't know much but would like a bunch of awesome suggestions, Metallic Dreams lives up to its title, and takes music-lovers on a journey of remembering the greats. Rice's appreciation of the genre is abundantly apparent, and from the perspective of a fellow fan, I enjoyed his observations. So another huge-ass disclaimer: if you don't like metal then for the love of all that's unholy DON'T read this book.
Most of all, Metallic Dreams does not take itself too seriously, which saves it at the end of the day. Yes, the humour is crude and often outrageous, but it marries up well to the latter-day Faustian theme as we follow the doings of Spark and his Blood Brothers.
The only thing that detracted from the overall effect was the actual length of the book. It's way too long, and loses some of the impact due to its drawn-out nature. By the time I reached the halfway mark, I was quite exhausted, and found that I could only handle a chapter at a time with each sitting. That being said, what ameliorated the pacing issues was the characterisations and the seemingly unrelated routines. The plot is convoluted, and gives the sense of a journal rather than what one would expect climax-wise in standard fantasy. So, yeah, it's not great, but if you're reading this in episodes, like I did, it doesn't bother as much.
Overall, this is an incredible, playful orgy of bloke-geared humour. Sex, drugs, metal and violence is all wrapped up with an infernal ribbon. And I'll say it again. You've been warned.
May 30, 2014
Mark Rice's 'Metallic Dreams' was right in my wheelhouse - basically being a horroresque story about a middle-age Scottish Heavy Metal singer named Spark McDubh (great name!) who dies, swears his resurrection was brought about by none other than The Metal Gods and then feels it is fated that he get his old band Blood Brothers back together after everything fell apart about 20 years earlier so they can redefine Heavy Metal. The novel is loaded with Metal references - including each of the book's chapters being the name of a song, famous or obscure - as Spark tracks down his wayward bandmates... while at the same time noticing a shadowy demonic figure that dogs him and others within the orbit of his quest to reach Metal Valhalla.
Since I am an old-school Metalhead (based on the musical references in the story I figure I was born about a year before Spark), I felt like I was reliving my own youth as I followed the progression of Spark and his friends from their early teens on to middle-age since my explorations into Heavy Metal were so similar. The story is engaging enough that I believe any fans of horror & the occult would enjoy reading 'Metallic Dreams', even if they weren't necessarily familiar with the hundreds of musical references in the story.
I do have words of warning for anyone reading 'Metallic Dreams' - as this is a book covering a few decades in the life of a group of dyed-in-the-wool Metal Maniacs, there are a number of sex scenes in the book, and some are very explicit. Even as a guy who grew up listening to Metal, attending concerts and being very familiar with the antics of Metal musicians, groupies and their fans - I was still taken aback by some of of these scenes. So beware. Regardless of one's preferences with regards to 'Metallic Dreams' depiction of sex, it is a very entertaining read.
Since I am an old-school Metalhead (based on the musical references in the story I figure I was born about a year before Spark), I felt like I was reliving my own youth as I followed the progression of Spark and his friends from their early teens on to middle-age since my explorations into Heavy Metal were so similar. The story is engaging enough that I believe any fans of horror & the occult would enjoy reading 'Metallic Dreams', even if they weren't necessarily familiar with the hundreds of musical references in the story.
I do have words of warning for anyone reading 'Metallic Dreams' - as this is a book covering a few decades in the life of a group of dyed-in-the-wool Metal Maniacs, there are a number of sex scenes in the book, and some are very explicit. Even as a guy who grew up listening to Metal, attending concerts and being very familiar with the antics of Metal musicians, groupies and their fans - I was still taken aback by some of of these scenes. So beware. Regardless of one's preferences with regards to 'Metallic Dreams' depiction of sex, it is a very entertaining read.
October 3, 2011
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began, “Metallic Dreams”, and I’m still not sure that I could categorize it. I loved this book from beginning to end. It is a wonderful mixture of Urban-Fantasy, humor, and relatable characters. I laughed several times, and it hooked from the very beginning.
Spark MacDubh falls dead in the snow one night, but is given a second chance by the Metal Gods. Driven by a new purpose, Spark sets out to get his old band back together, only to have his success measured by the devil himself.
The book goes through Spark’s childhood, and explains how he became friends with each member of the band, before returning to his resurrection, but this in no way takes away from the story; it enhances it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read over the age of 18. I would say, anyone who loves urban fantasy, but this was out of my normal genre and I loved it.
Spark MacDubh falls dead in the snow one night, but is given a second chance by the Metal Gods. Driven by a new purpose, Spark sets out to get his old band back together, only to have his success measured by the devil himself.
The book goes through Spark’s childhood, and explains how he became friends with each member of the band, before returning to his resurrection, but this in no way takes away from the story; it enhances it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read over the age of 18. I would say, anyone who loves urban fantasy, but this was out of my normal genre and I loved it.
May 19, 2012
I very rarely give up on books but this one i just had to. The concept of a heavy metal band (who inexplicably have a bass player who mimes playing bass) selling their souls to the devil is an old one but a gold one. But I despise overly complicated subplots and badly written sex scenes and this is full of them.
Two stars because the character of Spark is pretty cool. Just not cool enough to keep me reading.
Two stars because the character of Spark is pretty cool. Just not cool enough to keep me reading.
June 27, 2015
I wanted to like this book but just couldn't get into it. It was hilarious but I just couldn't stay with it. It's very rare that I can't (won't) finish a book but this one was just slow and meandering. I was over 15% through (almost 20%) when I decided to stop. It hadn't gone anywhere by this point. The only thing that kept me trying was the humor which was laugh out loud at times. The language, situations, and characters were what made it, I just got bored with the story.
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