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Performances of a Death Metal Bard: A Brutal Novella
Unfortunately, Death Metal doesn’t get much play in this sleepy, peaceful, actually kind of boring kingdom. Of course not. It’s tough inventing a genre on your own, and it doesn’t help when all the instruments you’ve tried up to this point don’t match the brutality necessary for a dark and heavy performance.
My coin only seems to be enough to get me to the next run-down village, and it’s dwindling fast.
To make matters worse, my newest lute is not normal. It never stays in tune, it’s barely holding together, and it keeps whispering to me. Over and over, demands for vengeance and murder echo in my head, with the promise that I’ll find the sound I need if I just listen to the voices.
So what’s a starving bard to do?
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a brutal fantasy adventure inspired by The Witcher and Metalocalypse, merging the episodic travels of a musical elf with the darkness, blood, and raw riffs of the heaviest metal the kingdom has ever seen.
My coin only seems to be enough to get me to the next run-down village, and it’s dwindling fast.
To make matters worse, my newest lute is not normal. It never stays in tune, it’s barely holding together, and it keeps whispering to me. Over and over, demands for vengeance and murder echo in my head, with the promise that I’ll find the sound I need if I just listen to the voices.
So what’s a starving bard to do?
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a brutal fantasy adventure inspired by The Witcher and Metalocalypse, merging the episodic travels of a musical elf with the darkness, blood, and raw riffs of the heaviest metal the kingdom has ever seen.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2024
3 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 20, 2024
4/5 Stars
Thrilling, unique, brutal and wholeheartedly metal! Performances of a Death Metal Bard is an adventurous fantasy novella about finding one's place in the world and more importantly, vengeance.
For a novella, this has surprising depth to it. Not just in the characters journey, the magic, immersive world but also its themes. This is a tale of vengeance, outcasts, found family, and the magic of music no matter the genre.
The story itself follows an elf named Mandy, a musician on the hunt for the perfect instrument and sound for his death metal music. When his new lute starts whispering to him demanding vengeance and murder, Mandy finds himself in episodic adventures with barely enough coin to survive.
While Mandy roams from town to town scraping together what coin he can from performances, he’s often met with suspicion. Despite this, he manages to find friends in unlikely places. Now, Mandy is an outcast of sorts, yet his choices and treatment of others is endearing. I loved seeing how his personality impacted his adventures and relationships along the way.
Something that surprised me was how immersive the world felt. There are monsters, and creatures of all kinds amid a variety of villages that spark the imagination. Bringing a world to life amid adventure, plot, character arcs, and unique magic within a short page count demonstrates great skill from the author.
Of course, I can’t forget to mention the unique use of music and magic in battle. Leigh captures great action scenes and memorable moments while taking readers on adventures that are all fun. While there are some darker scenes in this novella, it served to raise the stakes and ultimately my investment in Mandy’s endeavors.
If you’re looking for something different in your fantasy reading that blends death metal, action and adventure, this is one to check out.
Thrilling, unique, brutal and wholeheartedly metal! Performances of a Death Metal Bard is an adventurous fantasy novella about finding one's place in the world and more importantly, vengeance.
For a novella, this has surprising depth to it. Not just in the characters journey, the magic, immersive world but also its themes. This is a tale of vengeance, outcasts, found family, and the magic of music no matter the genre.
The story itself follows an elf named Mandy, a musician on the hunt for the perfect instrument and sound for his death metal music. When his new lute starts whispering to him demanding vengeance and murder, Mandy finds himself in episodic adventures with barely enough coin to survive.
While Mandy roams from town to town scraping together what coin he can from performances, he’s often met with suspicion. Despite this, he manages to find friends in unlikely places. Now, Mandy is an outcast of sorts, yet his choices and treatment of others is endearing. I loved seeing how his personality impacted his adventures and relationships along the way.
Something that surprised me was how immersive the world felt. There are monsters, and creatures of all kinds amid a variety of villages that spark the imagination. Bringing a world to life amid adventure, plot, character arcs, and unique magic within a short page count demonstrates great skill from the author.
Of course, I can’t forget to mention the unique use of music and magic in battle. Leigh captures great action scenes and memorable moments while taking readers on adventures that are all fun. While there are some darker scenes in this novella, it served to raise the stakes and ultimately my investment in Mandy’s endeavors.
If you’re looking for something different in your fantasy reading that blends death metal, action and adventure, this is one to check out.
September 9, 2024
Throughout my life, I've always been a bit of a 'pusher'. When I find something cool, I like sharing it and talking it up. It's my main motivation behind reviewing books, but I also do this with movies and music. I often get a blank stare after playing a track for some friends, or a narrowed-eye gaze that screams, Why are you subjecting me to this? But the 'please let it end' gazes haven't stopped me yet.
This is why I connected so deeply with Performances of a Death Metal Bard. Mandy is a musician who wants to share his art with the world but doesn't have the right tools to express himself. He finds a possessed, talking Lute that gives him the power of Death Metal, complete with black smoke and magical powers. The harder he shreds, the more powerful the Lute becomes. But the Lute has an agenda of its own and wants Mandy to help it seek vengeance for the most heinous of crimes.
The novella is split into five chapters, or 'performances.' While there is an overarching plot that connects the performances, each chapter works as a self-contained story. It's like going to see the same band five times in vastly different venues, and each performance is unique with a ton of improv. Mandy starts as a loner, but through the power of his metal performances, he starts to build a reputation and form bonds with some recurring characters. This plays an important role in Mandy's character growth and how the story resolves.
Performances of a Death Metal Bard hits all the right notes. It is well-written, funny, and brutal in the best ways possible. Fans of the genre will find plenty of easter egg references throughout the story; there are names, places, and lyrical tributes abound. But what elevates this story is its heart. It thrives on Mandy being true to what he loves most, and not giving an inch no matter how dire things get or how much of an outcast he becomes. That is as metal as it gets.
4.5/5
This is why I connected so deeply with Performances of a Death Metal Bard. Mandy is a musician who wants to share his art with the world but doesn't have the right tools to express himself. He finds a possessed, talking Lute that gives him the power of Death Metal, complete with black smoke and magical powers. The harder he shreds, the more powerful the Lute becomes. But the Lute has an agenda of its own and wants Mandy to help it seek vengeance for the most heinous of crimes.
The novella is split into five chapters, or 'performances.' While there is an overarching plot that connects the performances, each chapter works as a self-contained story. It's like going to see the same band five times in vastly different venues, and each performance is unique with a ton of improv. Mandy starts as a loner, but through the power of his metal performances, he starts to build a reputation and form bonds with some recurring characters. This plays an important role in Mandy's character growth and how the story resolves.
Performances of a Death Metal Bard hits all the right notes. It is well-written, funny, and brutal in the best ways possible. Fans of the genre will find plenty of easter egg references throughout the story; there are names, places, and lyrical tributes abound. But what elevates this story is its heart. It thrives on Mandy being true to what he loves most, and not giving an inch no matter how dire things get or how much of an outcast he becomes. That is as metal as it gets.
4.5/5
October 12, 2024
A fresh and heart-warmingly brutal novella.
As a fan of fantasy and metal, I was eager to read this and it doesn’t disappoint. Exceptional prose, fantastic pace and themes relatable to all. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, fun, humorous and exceptionally well-written story.
I stayed up way past my bedtime devouring this. Brutal.
I also reminisce frequently on the catharsis I experienced and ultimately, that’s a sign of a hard-hitting experience. Leigh has surpassed my expectations in terms of writing ability and Performances of a Death Metal Bard is an honourable and fun tribute to many beloved aspects of metal culture, in particular.
Leigh is definitely an author to follow and I look forward to reading more brutally fun work!
Thank you to the author for providing an Advanced Reading Copy.
As a fan of fantasy and metal, I was eager to read this and it doesn’t disappoint. Exceptional prose, fantastic pace and themes relatable to all. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, fun, humorous and exceptionally well-written story.
I stayed up way past my bedtime devouring this. Brutal.
I also reminisce frequently on the catharsis I experienced and ultimately, that’s a sign of a hard-hitting experience. Leigh has surpassed my expectations in terms of writing ability and Performances of a Death Metal Bard is an honourable and fun tribute to many beloved aspects of metal culture, in particular.
Leigh is definitely an author to follow and I look forward to reading more brutally fun work!
Thank you to the author for providing an Advanced Reading Copy.
February 12, 2025
This was such a fun read! I don't read fantasy that often, but the fact that this novella promised some brutality and death metal made me pick it up. I really enjoyed the main character, and felt he was easy to connect with. He embarks on quite a formidable journey, but there's a lot of humor involved which I really enjoyed! The scenes are beautifully immersive and the prose quite poetic.
There’s not a ton of gore, but there’s a ton of metal! 🤘🏻 All in all it's a whimsical read that will have you rooting for Mandy and his crew. Very well written, and there are some important messages as well surrounding friendship and following your own path.
There’s not a ton of gore, but there’s a ton of metal! 🤘🏻 All in all it's a whimsical read that will have you rooting for Mandy and his crew. Very well written, and there are some important messages as well surrounding friendship and following your own path.
December 18, 2024
For one of the first times ever, I had to wait until I got home to sit down at my computer and write out a review. Plenty of the books I read simply blow me out of the water, be it because they're so beautifully written, so original, because they hit me in the face with the feels. This novella, god where do I even begin with it.
I have been sitting here trying to figure out the best words to describe it. The raw emotions and feeling, the exploration of being your true self against what others might say, just how much raw emotions are truly behind something like death metal... I never really thought about that music genre that way. I never really listened to it to begin with, but as the book progressed, it got me considering just how much care goes into that sort of music. How much passion both this novella and the message within it holds.
This novella was fucking phenomenal.
I have been sitting here trying to figure out the best words to describe it. The raw emotions and feeling, the exploration of being your true self against what others might say, just how much raw emotions are truly behind something like death metal... I never really thought about that music genre that way. I never really listened to it to begin with, but as the book progressed, it got me considering just how much care goes into that sort of music. How much passion both this novella and the message within it holds.
This novella was fucking phenomenal.
October 5, 2025
This was so much fun! You don’t have to be a death metal fan to enjoy this novella, but it helps to be a music fan. I’m more of a hardcore punk kinda guy, but this still hit the spot. Lovable characters, talking lutes, just an absolute blast. I will say that there were a few awkward sentences in the first few pages, but I’m happy I pushed past those because I enjoyed this so much!
September 9, 2024
That was metal AF. 🤘🏼
If you love music, fantasy, and pure shenanigans.. this will be just for you. I laughed out loud several times and the metal easter eggs were fun to spot. It can be gory at times, but that’s part of the fun. Brutal.
4.25/5 ⭐️
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
If you love music, fantasy, and pure shenanigans.. this will be just for you. I laughed out loud several times and the metal easter eggs were fun to spot. It can be gory at times, but that’s part of the fun. Brutal.
4.25/5 ⭐️
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
November 21, 2025
Raw, brutal, pitch-black justice screams for vengeance! Welcome to the wildly creative, and devilishly fun “Performances of a Death Metal Bard” by Rob Leigh. If screaming, heart pounding, in your face, bloody action… mixed with intriguing stories, of a determined and resilient loaner on a quest to help one of the most unlikely pairings put to page, all while thrashing out some of the sickest riffs concocted…well grab a stiff drink and crank the volume! This edgy performance has it all! 🤘
Finding this little gem was the result of Rob's creation being a part of my team's reads for this year's SFINC3 Novella competition, and once again…I'm so glad I decided to be a reviewer for this comp. Absolutely an entry that probably would have slipped past my radar, this magic mixed, fantasy romp of vengeance and hope is widely different from anything I gravitate to. The uniqueness of this tale was a fun, refreshingly brutal read that turns the pages, as fast as the strings of our dark lute can spit out its deadly tunes! ☠️
Our story starts with our MC, an elf named Mandy, at rock bottom…no money, no friends, nowhere to stay and starving. Looking for work, and for an instrument with the sound that seems impossible to find…”Death Metal", Mandy has hitched a ride to the next town, while in possession of a newly acquired lute…that seems to be whispering devilish thoughts to him. Already an outcast that doesn't seem to fit in, this new development doesn't bode well for our bard…is he now going crazy, on top of his endless woes?! This kicks off what will be Mandy's wildest, most intense show ever played! He hasn't found the right instrument / sound... It has found him! Rob wastes no time thrusting us into the mosh pit of this bloody, adrenaline pumping, stage shaking, story of devotion and vengeance. 🔥
4 stories make up this ballad of brutality, and all take us through different ,vividly described locations. Each with its own set of hurdles to overcome…all while introducing us to captivating characters and creatures, and somehow smoothly carrying the original main arc through each. This is all by the way, played out in just 125 pages of craziness! A testament to the author's creativity and penmanship! I found myself, on multiple occasions nodding my head to the lyrics, peppered throughout the action, while holding my breath, trying to anticipate the outcome for our MC, his possessed lute, and his growing group of friends. This is a performance that will hit every chord of your fantasy book desires! 👊
Monsters, magic and Mages chase our mix of humans, elves and goblins from one deadly tune, to the next…prepare for a concert of screams, smoke and fire! Death Metal headlines this set of craziness…the encore might just take your very soul! 😈
4⭐ and a standing ovation for a rock show that leaves its mark…well after the music has faded away! 🍻
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
Finding this little gem was the result of Rob's creation being a part of my team's reads for this year's SFINC3 Novella competition, and once again…I'm so glad I decided to be a reviewer for this comp. Absolutely an entry that probably would have slipped past my radar, this magic mixed, fantasy romp of vengeance and hope is widely different from anything I gravitate to. The uniqueness of this tale was a fun, refreshingly brutal read that turns the pages, as fast as the strings of our dark lute can spit out its deadly tunes! ☠️
Our story starts with our MC, an elf named Mandy, at rock bottom…no money, no friends, nowhere to stay and starving. Looking for work, and for an instrument with the sound that seems impossible to find…”Death Metal", Mandy has hitched a ride to the next town, while in possession of a newly acquired lute…that seems to be whispering devilish thoughts to him. Already an outcast that doesn't seem to fit in, this new development doesn't bode well for our bard…is he now going crazy, on top of his endless woes?! This kicks off what will be Mandy's wildest, most intense show ever played! He hasn't found the right instrument / sound... It has found him! Rob wastes no time thrusting us into the mosh pit of this bloody, adrenaline pumping, stage shaking, story of devotion and vengeance. 🔥
4 stories make up this ballad of brutality, and all take us through different ,vividly described locations. Each with its own set of hurdles to overcome…all while introducing us to captivating characters and creatures, and somehow smoothly carrying the original main arc through each. This is all by the way, played out in just 125 pages of craziness! A testament to the author's creativity and penmanship! I found myself, on multiple occasions nodding my head to the lyrics, peppered throughout the action, while holding my breath, trying to anticipate the outcome for our MC, his possessed lute, and his growing group of friends. This is a performance that will hit every chord of your fantasy book desires! 👊
Monsters, magic and Mages chase our mix of humans, elves and goblins from one deadly tune, to the next…prepare for a concert of screams, smoke and fire! Death Metal headlines this set of craziness…the encore might just take your very soul! 😈
4⭐ and a standing ovation for a rock show that leaves its mark…well after the music has faded away! 🍻
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
September 3, 2024
Wow! I did not know I needed a death metal bard in my life but I am here for this!
This is a love letter to both classic D&D style fantasy and metal, a beautiful bastard lovechild of This Is Spinal Tap and Forbidden Realms, The Witcher meets Nanowar Of Steel. Fun, epic and just shredding it.
We follow the story of Ozzymandius (better known as Mandy), a corpse painted elf bard who just wants to melt eardrums. However, he has been struggling to get the tone he wants via the instruments available (his instrument of choice - the lute). Finding himself in possession of a possessed lute, he strikes a deal - the lute will provide the tone if he can provide the vengeance.
Told through a series of 4 interconnected stories, this was just pure and joyous fun to read. The act structure was a nice literary touch, with each part being almost self contained but forming part of a greater whole. The light hearted jokey tone just worked. The characters were all relatable and interesting. Everything just bounces along with a delightfully crunchy chug, with the knowing nods to both the musical and fantastical influences providing the perfect licks in between.
What can I say? This one goes to eleven.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy in return for an honest review.
This is a love letter to both classic D&D style fantasy and metal, a beautiful bastard lovechild of This Is Spinal Tap and Forbidden Realms, The Witcher meets Nanowar Of Steel. Fun, epic and just shredding it.
We follow the story of Ozzymandius (better known as Mandy), a corpse painted elf bard who just wants to melt eardrums. However, he has been struggling to get the tone he wants via the instruments available (his instrument of choice - the lute). Finding himself in possession of a possessed lute, he strikes a deal - the lute will provide the tone if he can provide the vengeance.
Told through a series of 4 interconnected stories, this was just pure and joyous fun to read. The act structure was a nice literary touch, with each part being almost self contained but forming part of a greater whole. The light hearted jokey tone just worked. The characters were all relatable and interesting. Everything just bounces along with a delightfully crunchy chug, with the knowing nods to both the musical and fantastical influences providing the perfect licks in between.
What can I say? This one goes to eleven.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy in return for an honest review.
December 10, 2024
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MY ⭐️ RATING: 4/5
FORMAT: Kindle eBook
Once I started reading this, I instantly got Kings of the Wyld and Blood Rose vibes, but instead of 70’s and 80’s rock, this was for the mosh pit loving headbangers & metalheads of the world that also love fantasy books looking for a thrashing good time. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this, because it’s such a unique type of story to write about, but it was something I was most definitely excited to try and am happy to report that it was highly enjoyable. Now, admittedly, I’m not a big listener of heavy metal, so I likely missed many of the easter eggs that Leigh dropped, but with that said, I do listen to a little, and I noticed a few, just not enough to pick up on everything.
Though this is based on heavy metal, in a sense, there’s something a bit grungy about the world. The way the villages are feels a bit like the same drabness and desaturation, the way Tim Burton presents 1840’s London in Sweeney Todd. On top of that Leigh does a great job of contrasting the darkness of the heavy metal vibes with the more lightheartedness theme of friendship. When you wrap that up with a slew of classic fantasy creatures like elves, goblins, trolls, ogres, shape shifters and dragons, plus a murderous possessed lute hellbent on revenge from an evil wizard and chock-full of goofy banter, you get a fun and somewhat dark adventure in a novella that could lead to a fantastic series.
“Greatness can’t be discovered until we are willing to level with being monstrous, until we stare our fiendish desires in the face and extend a hand. This instrument is the key, and I’ll be needing it back to continue my work.”
Now about the characters, I really liked Ozzymandius, aka Mandy, the ayatollah of heavy metal. What I liked most about her is her is that she reminds me of a mixture of other characters, she’s got a little bit of Eddie Munson from Stranger Thingsand a little bit of Cura the ink witch from Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames. She’s misunderstood elf because her style of music is different than everyone else’s. Despite the villages all being off-put by her music and look, she’s still able to make a few friends a long the way that show her that there are good people that can see beyond her music and accept her for who she is, and show a brighter part of the dreary world. The possessed Lute is the funniest character and made me giggle more that once, kinda reminded me of the hand from the 90’s film, Idle Hands as well as the signing sword is Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames.
I do hope that Leigh decides to use this as a springboard for a series, because I’m definitely going to need a lot more of Mandy, Lute and their new band of heroes on another epic quest… maybe someone needs to find a new pick for their lyre, so they can write a tribute for the greatest song in the world… (for those that don’t get this, it’s a reference to Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny.)
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4/5
FORMAT: Kindle eBook
Once I started reading this, I instantly got Kings of the Wyld and Blood Rose vibes, but instead of 70’s and 80’s rock, this was for the mosh pit loving headbangers & metalheads of the world that also love fantasy books looking for a thrashing good time. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this, because it’s such a unique type of story to write about, but it was something I was most definitely excited to try and am happy to report that it was highly enjoyable. Now, admittedly, I’m not a big listener of heavy metal, so I likely missed many of the easter eggs that Leigh dropped, but with that said, I do listen to a little, and I noticed a few, just not enough to pick up on everything.
Though this is based on heavy metal, in a sense, there’s something a bit grungy about the world. The way the villages are feels a bit like the same drabness and desaturation, the way Tim Burton presents 1840’s London in Sweeney Todd. On top of that Leigh does a great job of contrasting the darkness of the heavy metal vibes with the more lightheartedness theme of friendship. When you wrap that up with a slew of classic fantasy creatures like elves, goblins, trolls, ogres, shape shifters and dragons, plus a murderous possessed lute hellbent on revenge from an evil wizard and chock-full of goofy banter, you get a fun and somewhat dark adventure in a novella that could lead to a fantastic series.
“Greatness can’t be discovered until we are willing to level with being monstrous, until we stare our fiendish desires in the face and extend a hand. This instrument is the key, and I’ll be needing it back to continue my work.”
Now about the characters, I really liked Ozzymandius, aka Mandy, the ayatollah of heavy metal. What I liked most about her is her is that she reminds me of a mixture of other characters, she’s got a little bit of Eddie Munson from Stranger Thingsand a little bit of Cura the ink witch from Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames. She’s misunderstood elf because her style of music is different than everyone else’s. Despite the villages all being off-put by her music and look, she’s still able to make a few friends a long the way that show her that there are good people that can see beyond her music and accept her for who she is, and show a brighter part of the dreary world. The possessed Lute is the funniest character and made me giggle more that once, kinda reminded me of the hand from the 90’s film, Idle Hands as well as the signing sword is Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames.
I do hope that Leigh decides to use this as a springboard for a series, because I’m definitely going to need a lot more of Mandy, Lute and their new band of heroes on another epic quest… maybe someone needs to find a new pick for their lyre, so they can write a tribute for the greatest song in the world… (for those that don’t get this, it’s a reference to Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny.)
September 9, 2024
First off, thanks so much to Rob Leigh for allowing me to read this as an ARC!
I don't usually read Ebooks, but when I saw that cover, I had no choice. It's gorgeous! And so is the story itself!
It's giving Metalocalypse meets Dungeons & Dragons. It's giving the power of friendship, but make it metal. I'm so here for it!
Ozzymandias is a really fun main character! Never have I ever seen an elf in corpse paint! His sass is great, his friendships are amazing, he's fun and funny, and I love him. It was a blast to follow him around on his adventures with Lute and Patch and Natalya and Ord and Korinne! I'm gonna need more books like this, please!
Five out of five stars for Performances of a Death Metal Bard!
Favorite quote: "He will pay. And it will be metal."
I don't usually read Ebooks, but when I saw that cover, I had no choice. It's gorgeous! And so is the story itself!
It's giving Metalocalypse meets Dungeons & Dragons. It's giving the power of friendship, but make it metal. I'm so here for it!
Ozzymandias is a really fun main character! Never have I ever seen an elf in corpse paint! His sass is great, his friendships are amazing, he's fun and funny, and I love him. It was a blast to follow him around on his adventures with Lute and Patch and Natalya and Ord and Korinne! I'm gonna need more books like this, please!
Five out of five stars for Performances of a Death Metal Bard!
Favorite quote: "He will pay. And it will be metal."
September 27, 2024
Ozzymandias (Mandy) gets a slow start here, but once the action begins, his story is one you won't want to put down. This is the story of Mandy and his supernaturally badass instrument, Lute, which I assume presages more to come (I hope). Mandy doesn't begin the story with everything he needs to be a hero, and that gives the character room to grow even in the space of a novella.
A little like the tone of Kings of the Wyld if Kings had focused on death metal instead of classic rock. A little like Dresden Files, with a main character willing to bring the brutality to those most deserving, no matter the cost to himself. A most metal version of sword and sorcery, with plenty of nods to fans of both.
I received a free ARC for an honest review, and I can honestly say it made me want to read more from the author.
A little like the tone of Kings of the Wyld if Kings had focused on death metal instead of classic rock. A little like Dresden Files, with a main character willing to bring the brutality to those most deserving, no matter the cost to himself. A most metal version of sword and sorcery, with plenty of nods to fans of both.
I received a free ARC for an honest review, and I can honestly say it made me want to read more from the author.
September 9, 2024
This was a blast! Let's keep the "fantasy going in strange new directions" trend going, please!
October 31, 2024
Brutal 🤘
January 17, 2025
“What did you say?” I squinted at the Lute. Surely, anyone who heard this conversation would think me insane. Was I really engaging with a fucking piece of wood?
I was reading another but drbookmrcoffee on bookstagram posted this cover on his story and derailed me into what became an impromptu buddy read. The cover was stunning and it was on Kindle Unlimited. It became a no-brainer.
I immediately liked the setting, the main character and tone of the book. I wish we had a graphic audiobook so that we could listen to the songs. The story is actually four interconnected short stories with the MC traveling through all of them. As early as chapter 2 though, the stakes were set for the whole book and I liked the romantic subplot that unfurled in chapter 2 too.
Then there was a dungeon crawling adventure basically but it was very hard to visualize all the action scenes and a dragon being inside the manor. The action scenes in this chapter and in the finale dragged on for me and everything resolved a bit predictably and there wasn’t much urgency. It falls a little bit into the pitfall where books with lots of action scenes having to work very hard to avoid tedium.
Overall, it is a pretty good novella and I will definitely pick up book 2, if the author writes more in this world, since I like the main character and the friends he has gathered in this book that much.
I was reading another but drbookmrcoffee on bookstagram posted this cover on his story and derailed me into what became an impromptu buddy read. The cover was stunning and it was on Kindle Unlimited. It became a no-brainer.
I immediately liked the setting, the main character and tone of the book. I wish we had a graphic audiobook so that we could listen to the songs. The story is actually four interconnected short stories with the MC traveling through all of them. As early as chapter 2 though, the stakes were set for the whole book and I liked the romantic subplot that unfurled in chapter 2 too.
Then there was a dungeon crawling adventure basically but it was very hard to visualize all the action scenes and a dragon being inside the manor. The action scenes in this chapter and in the finale dragged on for me and everything resolved a bit predictably and there wasn’t much urgency. It falls a little bit into the pitfall where books with lots of action scenes having to work very hard to avoid tedium.
Overall, it is a pretty good novella and I will definitely pick up book 2, if the author writes more in this world, since I like the main character and the friends he has gathered in this book that much.
January 15, 2025
This review was originally posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
Heavy Metal has played a significant role in my life. Be it the symphonic rhythms of Metalcore or the rage-fueled growls of Death Metal, I used to listen to Metal as an escape from the everyday torment of just existing in an overcrowded, apathetic, and near-dystopian city. Eventually, life moved on and I started listening to more classic rock. However, I still sway and headbang to the occasional metal track. All this to say, I LOVE Metal. So, imagine my reaction upon seeing Rob Leigh’s announcement for a fantasy novella that features a bard who plays Death Metal!
What I liked:
Well, my intro pretty much sets the tone for what I’m about to say. I don’t care how biased I sound. I absolutely LOVED this novella! Even from an unbiased perspective, let me explain why I really enjoyed reading this story:
Imagine a really fun DnD campaign, and that’s what this book reads like. Fitting, because Leigh explains in his afterword how Mandy started out as a DnD character. And the way things progress in each of the four stories definitely reads like a bunch of friends figuring things out along the journey. It’s charming, and it is awesome. Be it the first moment that Mandy plays Death Metal in the inn, or his adventure through the dark woods, or even the last chapter where things get quite tense and fittingly brutal, Leigh keeps things consistently interesting throwing in tension and curve balls. There wasn’t a single dull moment in the plot. To make things more interesting, the episodic nature of the novella gives us four beautifully self-contained stories that hold on their own, while also having a compelling overarching story that gets a satisfying conclusion.
Mandy is your typical bard with empty pockets, so his motivation to keep pushing forward are very convincing. Every time Mandy decides to act on something, you don’t doubt him even once. While Mandy himself doesn’t get too much character development, he is far from an unlikeable character. In fact, he is the perfect everyman with the slight quirk of enjoying an unusually brutal genre of music.
The supporting cast too isn’t all that special. Yet, the simplicity of their characters and tropes helps make this story a very cozy read. Now, you might be wondering, how on earth is Death Metal cozy? It is to me. And I’m sure it is for a lot of people. So, I guess you could technically call this a cozy fantasy book.
What I didn’t like:
Completely subjective take here: I had some trouble keeping up with the protagonist’s voice (for once, pun not intended); I just wasn’t able to ease into it even after four chapters of pretty awesome stuff happening in the book. I guess I’m no longer the same guy who once could listen to multiple albums of Cannibal Corpse and Nile in a single day. I say that, because the prose really does read like something you would expect to hear in Death Metal songs. While that’s a positive for most metalheads, that could be a negative for other readers.
I wouldn’t call it a negative for me, more like a little complaint that I can look past and still enjoy the rest of the novella.
Conclusion:
I’m 100% sure that this book would have been my favorite thing to read and re-read in my late teens and early adulthood. Metal may not be a huge part of my life anymore, but it continues to be a very important genre of music for me. Blending that with fantasy was like the perfect recipe for a delightful read.
Honestly, the author side of me is genuinely upset that I didn’t think of this first. But, I doubt I would have done justice to the concept the way Leigh has.
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: The Death Metal spin on the fantasy bard, episodic nature, fun adventure
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: The voice and prose didn’t work for me in parts
Heavy Metal has played a significant role in my life. Be it the symphonic rhythms of Metalcore or the rage-fueled growls of Death Metal, I used to listen to Metal as an escape from the everyday torment of just existing in an overcrowded, apathetic, and near-dystopian city. Eventually, life moved on and I started listening to more classic rock. However, I still sway and headbang to the occasional metal track. All this to say, I LOVE Metal. So, imagine my reaction upon seeing Rob Leigh’s announcement for a fantasy novella that features a bard who plays Death Metal!
What I liked:
Well, my intro pretty much sets the tone for what I’m about to say. I don’t care how biased I sound. I absolutely LOVED this novella! Even from an unbiased perspective, let me explain why I really enjoyed reading this story:
Imagine a really fun DnD campaign, and that’s what this book reads like. Fitting, because Leigh explains in his afterword how Mandy started out as a DnD character. And the way things progress in each of the four stories definitely reads like a bunch of friends figuring things out along the journey. It’s charming, and it is awesome. Be it the first moment that Mandy plays Death Metal in the inn, or his adventure through the dark woods, or even the last chapter where things get quite tense and fittingly brutal, Leigh keeps things consistently interesting throwing in tension and curve balls. There wasn’t a single dull moment in the plot. To make things more interesting, the episodic nature of the novella gives us four beautifully self-contained stories that hold on their own, while also having a compelling overarching story that gets a satisfying conclusion.
Mandy is your typical bard with empty pockets, so his motivation to keep pushing forward are very convincing. Every time Mandy decides to act on something, you don’t doubt him even once. While Mandy himself doesn’t get too much character development, he is far from an unlikeable character. In fact, he is the perfect everyman with the slight quirk of enjoying an unusually brutal genre of music.
The supporting cast too isn’t all that special. Yet, the simplicity of their characters and tropes helps make this story a very cozy read. Now, you might be wondering, how on earth is Death Metal cozy? It is to me. And I’m sure it is for a lot of people. So, I guess you could technically call this a cozy fantasy book.
What I didn’t like:
Completely subjective take here: I had some trouble keeping up with the protagonist’s voice (for once, pun not intended); I just wasn’t able to ease into it even after four chapters of pretty awesome stuff happening in the book. I guess I’m no longer the same guy who once could listen to multiple albums of Cannibal Corpse and Nile in a single day. I say that, because the prose really does read like something you would expect to hear in Death Metal songs. While that’s a positive for most metalheads, that could be a negative for other readers.
I wouldn’t call it a negative for me, more like a little complaint that I can look past and still enjoy the rest of the novella.
Conclusion:
I’m 100% sure that this book would have been my favorite thing to read and re-read in my late teens and early adulthood. Metal may not be a huge part of my life anymore, but it continues to be a very important genre of music for me. Blending that with fantasy was like the perfect recipe for a delightful read.
Honestly, the author side of me is genuinely upset that I didn’t think of this first. But, I doubt I would have done justice to the concept the way Leigh has.
TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: The Death Metal spin on the fantasy bard, episodic nature, fun adventure
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: The voice and prose didn’t work for me in parts
September 20, 2024
Ozzymandias, the elven bard, has invented a new kind of music, born from his lonely experience as an outcast and his love for all things 'raw' and 'brutal' - Death Metal. But he hasn't quite found the right sound yet, what with ordinary lutes sounding way too mellow for his taste, and the crowds don't get it either. So he's a pretty broke bard, hitching wagon rides through a fairly traditional Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, complete with tavern brawls, goblins, and monster-infested forests. The campaign run here, however, would be on the wackier side, where anyone can throw in a crazy idea, the DM goes "Wicked!" and implements it, and everyone is happy to escalate a seemingly straightforward encounter into absolute chaos, leaving a trail of demolished drinking establishments and smouldering village ruins. At the same time, there are genuinely wholesome, heartfelt moments scattered throughout, tales of friendship, heroism, romance, all the good stuff.
And then, of course, there's the metal part. Luckily for Ozzymandias, the last lute he picked up is possessed by spirits who have been trapped inside it with shadow magic and are now whispering murder in his head. The bard makes a deal with his increasingly sentient instrument: He helps it seek revenge, and in return it gives him the most brutally distorted death metal soundscape for his angry growls. As it turns out, this sound comes with additional benefits that not only come in handy in a fight, but also paint any scene in which Ozzymandias gets to perform with all the trappings of a death metal concert. These powers include inspiring crowds of seemingly harmless villagers to brutally battle all manner of monsters that would fit right in on a death metal album cover - in true mosh pit fashion. These scenes are a hell of a lot of fun, and they come with plenty of little references and easter eggs for metal fans ('hammer-smashed face' anyone?).
The structure of this book kind of reminded me of Wayne's World. It starts with a bard competition in a tavern (band contest) and culminates in a music festival in the kingdom's capital (with lots of humorous references to the rock/metal festival experience), with more adventurous shenanigans in between. In addition to riffing on many common fantasy tropes (pun intended), there are lots of hilarious and meaningful music-related metaphors. We get the D&D version of a music industry magnate screwing over musicians, we get a lot of the punk/counterculture aspect of extreme metal, musical brutality as protest or artistic expression of pain and raw emotion, nods to the sense of community in music subcultures like the metal scene, and so on. All of this is done with a good dose of wit and empathy, in perfect balance with the gory glory of the crazier bits.
This book is intelligent, whimsical, true and brutal, and very easily worth 5 out of 5 stars.
Cheers. \m/
And then, of course, there's the metal part. Luckily for Ozzymandias, the last lute he picked up is possessed by spirits who have been trapped inside it with shadow magic and are now whispering murder in his head. The bard makes a deal with his increasingly sentient instrument: He helps it seek revenge, and in return it gives him the most brutally distorted death metal soundscape for his angry growls. As it turns out, this sound comes with additional benefits that not only come in handy in a fight, but also paint any scene in which Ozzymandias gets to perform with all the trappings of a death metal concert. These powers include inspiring crowds of seemingly harmless villagers to brutally battle all manner of monsters that would fit right in on a death metal album cover - in true mosh pit fashion. These scenes are a hell of a lot of fun, and they come with plenty of little references and easter eggs for metal fans ('hammer-smashed face' anyone?).
The structure of this book kind of reminded me of Wayne's World. It starts with a bard competition in a tavern (band contest) and culminates in a music festival in the kingdom's capital (with lots of humorous references to the rock/metal festival experience), with more adventurous shenanigans in between. In addition to riffing on many common fantasy tropes (pun intended), there are lots of hilarious and meaningful music-related metaphors. We get the D&D version of a music industry magnate screwing over musicians, we get a lot of the punk/counterculture aspect of extreme metal, musical brutality as protest or artistic expression of pain and raw emotion, nods to the sense of community in music subcultures like the metal scene, and so on. All of this is done with a good dose of wit and empathy, in perfect balance with the gory glory of the crazier bits.
This book is intelligent, whimsical, true and brutal, and very easily worth 5 out of 5 stars.
Cheers. \m/
December 1, 2024
A super fun and light-hearted epic fantasy homage to TTRPGs and Heavy Metal music.
When I first heard about this book, I was pretty intrigued by it: a book that was admittedly pitched as inspired by heavy metal, also released on Halloween of all days! As a fan of both the music genre and the fantasy genre, I knew this would be one I had to try. The fact that the page count was low (a novella) really bumped it up my ever-growing TBR list, and the accessible prose made this a quick, easy read.
But before I delved into it, multiple questions emerged immediately to me. I wonder how strong the influence would be, since Metal tens to be quite a music 'heavy' genre, and how would the musical influence translate on paper, in the actual story?
I think the solution found was quite enjoyable. This novella could almost be a collection of 4 short stories if it weren't for the fact that all four are connected by a main theme and culminate in a climax that closes them all joining threads satisfactorily. The author leaned quite heavily on positive things like the relationship the bard protagonist had with his enchanted Lute, also on the positive friendships the MC built and grew throughout the story and also while keeping the story relatively simple from a plot standpoint. This was a nice contrast to the 'darkness' inherent in Heavy Metal.
It was also fun that the author touched on the fact that people who like heavy metal can often be quite misunderstood. Some of the nicest, warmest, most genuine people I've ever met were die-hard metalheads, and I think the characters of wherever the MC passed through learned that as well.
I also liked the author handling of the antagonists in the different 'performances'. I had been wondered what the natural enemies would be of someone who calls himself a 'Death Metal Bard', but the way they were made a lot of sense.
The climax was fun, and there were maybe more stakes that I had perhaps expected, which was a nice surprise. This novella was super fun and left me craving a full D&D style novel of Mandy, Lute and his band of newfound friends. I'd love to see these characters again in a longer story where the setting is more explored and the plot is a little bit more complex. More page time would also give us more time to spend with the characters and love them even more.
If I had something to 'pick on' as a criticism it would be the ability to visualise some of the scenes. I think some of the times the word choices didn't really help me visualise the scenes that well, and I had to really go back and re-read them again. At times I was still unsure of how to visualise something. But obviously, yeah, this is a small nitpick.
I recommend this book to anyone who loved Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, but also to all the metal-heads out there!
When I first heard about this book, I was pretty intrigued by it: a book that was admittedly pitched as inspired by heavy metal, also released on Halloween of all days! As a fan of both the music genre and the fantasy genre, I knew this would be one I had to try. The fact that the page count was low (a novella) really bumped it up my ever-growing TBR list, and the accessible prose made this a quick, easy read.
But before I delved into it, multiple questions emerged immediately to me. I wonder how strong the influence would be, since Metal tens to be quite a music 'heavy' genre, and how would the musical influence translate on paper, in the actual story?
I think the solution found was quite enjoyable. This novella could almost be a collection of 4 short stories if it weren't for the fact that all four are connected by a main theme and culminate in a climax that closes them all joining threads satisfactorily. The author leaned quite heavily on positive things like the relationship the bard protagonist had with his enchanted Lute, also on the positive friendships the MC built and grew throughout the story and also while keeping the story relatively simple from a plot standpoint. This was a nice contrast to the 'darkness' inherent in Heavy Metal.
It was also fun that the author touched on the fact that people who like heavy metal can often be quite misunderstood. Some of the nicest, warmest, most genuine people I've ever met were die-hard metalheads, and I think the characters of wherever the MC passed through learned that as well.
I also liked the author handling of the antagonists in the different 'performances'. I had been wondered what the natural enemies would be of someone who calls himself a 'Death Metal Bard', but the way they were made a lot of sense.
The climax was fun, and there were maybe more stakes that I had perhaps expected, which was a nice surprise. This novella was super fun and left me craving a full D&D style novel of Mandy, Lute and his band of newfound friends. I'd love to see these characters again in a longer story where the setting is more explored and the plot is a little bit more complex. More page time would also give us more time to spend with the characters and love them even more.
If I had something to 'pick on' as a criticism it would be the ability to visualise some of the scenes. I think some of the times the word choices didn't really help me visualise the scenes that well, and I had to really go back and re-read them again. At times I was still unsure of how to visualise something. But obviously, yeah, this is a small nitpick.
I recommend this book to anyone who loved Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, but also to all the metal-heads out there!
September 26, 2024
4.5 stars
Wattay fantastic exhilarating fun novella - easily one of the best novellas of the year and so terrifically structured....
Full RTC
*************************************************************
Kings of the Wyld meets Scott Pilgrim meets Ghylspwr from the Palace Job in this fast-paced fun and brutal revenge novella which is metal all the way
“He will pay. And it will be metal”
I am thankful to the author for providing me with an ARC of this fun novella. An enchanted lute that dreams and screams of vengeance pairs up with a death metal artist of an elf to compose a revenge saga. After all, Revenge is a note best-delivered death metal style (Also, wattay cover - incredible)
“Metal is soulful, unfiltered and unquestionably bold”
Rob Leigh’s premise is earth-droppingly obvious in retrospect. I mean what other genre of music suits the themes of revenge best? Brutal, dark, foreboding, and nihilistic, Performances of a Death Metal Bard packs all of this in a snappy 4 chapter story that is so deft and light despite the dark thematic nature at play. Ozymandias aka Mandy is an elf whose soul resonates with death metal but is unable to find the instrument to craft that. Enter the enchanted lute that demands vengeance and finds Mandy the suitable recipient able to conjure the dark magic necessary to build that music. The novella is structured in an almost traditional manner that starts with the initial meeting and getting to know each other, the development of the death metal and the power, the gathering of allies, and the seeking of revenge. The traditional beats of the novella’s structure facilitate an unyielding momentum while providing space for character-building and lots of situational fun.
“Whomever this elf claims to be, he seems touched in the head or influenced by some sinister being. Just look at him – the very image of a demon looking to terrorize a peaceful kingdom.
Metal, What a compliment”
Make no mistake, this is an incredibly fun novella. The relationship between Mandy and his lute is the key driver and it works pretty well. As their relationship evolves and grows, so do the stakes as well as the characters they find on the way. While the magic of the death metal is something that isn’t explained as much, its impact is significant and the lengths Mandy has to go to tap into this music and magic makes for compelling reading. Couple it with the nihilistic, violent and visceral lyrics as befitting death metal, you have the perfect recipe to tap into the darker side. There is this Scott Pilgrim-ish element to it wherein the musical notes battle each other – Mandy & the Lute create something similar as they go on their revenge tour. This is where the author treads the thin line balancing the grim darkness with the fun and humor element wonderfully well. I am not a fan of this genre and yet the book makes death metal as the tool of vengeance compelling and believable enough for you to go along this journey
“Death Metal is about lonely, different, nonconforming, fucked-up souls coming together to share something new, brutal and beautiful”
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is easily one of the best novellas I have read. It is fun, raw, brutal, visceral, and inventive while sticking to standard tropes to make the most of its limited page count. While the magical element may lack depth, the impact of it is what matters and the revenge element is decidedly, Metal as the enchanted Lute would rasp.
4.5 Enchanted Instruments of Metal on 5
Wattay fantastic exhilarating fun novella - easily one of the best novellas of the year and so terrifically structured....
Full RTC
*************************************************************
Kings of the Wyld meets Scott Pilgrim meets Ghylspwr from the Palace Job in this fast-paced fun and brutal revenge novella which is metal all the way
“He will pay. And it will be metal”
I am thankful to the author for providing me with an ARC of this fun novella. An enchanted lute that dreams and screams of vengeance pairs up with a death metal artist of an elf to compose a revenge saga. After all, Revenge is a note best-delivered death metal style (Also, wattay cover - incredible)
“Metal is soulful, unfiltered and unquestionably bold”
Rob Leigh’s premise is earth-droppingly obvious in retrospect. I mean what other genre of music suits the themes of revenge best? Brutal, dark, foreboding, and nihilistic, Performances of a Death Metal Bard packs all of this in a snappy 4 chapter story that is so deft and light despite the dark thematic nature at play. Ozymandias aka Mandy is an elf whose soul resonates with death metal but is unable to find the instrument to craft that. Enter the enchanted lute that demands vengeance and finds Mandy the suitable recipient able to conjure the dark magic necessary to build that music. The novella is structured in an almost traditional manner that starts with the initial meeting and getting to know each other, the development of the death metal and the power, the gathering of allies, and the seeking of revenge. The traditional beats of the novella’s structure facilitate an unyielding momentum while providing space for character-building and lots of situational fun.
“Whomever this elf claims to be, he seems touched in the head or influenced by some sinister being. Just look at him – the very image of a demon looking to terrorize a peaceful kingdom.
Metal, What a compliment”
Make no mistake, this is an incredibly fun novella. The relationship between Mandy and his lute is the key driver and it works pretty well. As their relationship evolves and grows, so do the stakes as well as the characters they find on the way. While the magic of the death metal is something that isn’t explained as much, its impact is significant and the lengths Mandy has to go to tap into this music and magic makes for compelling reading. Couple it with the nihilistic, violent and visceral lyrics as befitting death metal, you have the perfect recipe to tap into the darker side. There is this Scott Pilgrim-ish element to it wherein the musical notes battle each other – Mandy & the Lute create something similar as they go on their revenge tour. This is where the author treads the thin line balancing the grim darkness with the fun and humor element wonderfully well. I am not a fan of this genre and yet the book makes death metal as the tool of vengeance compelling and believable enough for you to go along this journey
“Death Metal is about lonely, different, nonconforming, fucked-up souls coming together to share something new, brutal and beautiful”
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is easily one of the best novellas I have read. It is fun, raw, brutal, visceral, and inventive while sticking to standard tropes to make the most of its limited page count. While the magical element may lack depth, the impact of it is what matters and the revenge element is decidedly, Metal as the enchanted Lute would rasp.
4.5 Enchanted Instruments of Metal on 5
September 16, 2024
Damn, that was so bloody, brutal. This novella was so good. It would turn you into a death metal fan. Rob Leigh has just gone full metal jacket with this one, bringing metal music, dark magic, and a fantastic set of diverse characters as he intertwineds them beautifully to bring us this wonderful tale of the Death Metal Bard strumming his way across the kingdom as he seeks revenge for the souls of his newly acquired lute.
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a short story that grips you with its smoky tendril hooks from the very first page. For such a short story, the worldbuilding and setting are brilliant. In a chaotic and barbaric world, full of monsters, giant trolls. Our main protagonist, Mandy, an elf who paints his face and loves death metal music just wants to make his way playing what he loves, bringing us on a roller coaster of fun, adventure, hilarious and blood drenched moments that any fantasy reader and death metal music fan would absolutely love.
In this brutal fantastic tale, Mandy or Ozzymandias, his bard stage name finds himself travelling from town to town, not a coin to his name, no friends, a freak, starving, his clothes and shoes nothing but rags just wants to preform what he loves death metal music.
But all that is about to change when he requires a lute through a card game, an old tattered piece of junk, strings worn, and riffless. Until it speaks to him through multiple voices, souls intwind in the lute looking for vengeance and murder, Mandy's life is about to change forever.
If you love a story, full hilarious witticisms, dark wizards, dragons, death metal bards, and the Witcher books, then check out this rocking explosive tale that will rock your sock off. After reading this, I will definitely be checking out his other books soon. I very highly recommend...💀🎸🔥🖤
This title is available for purchase on the 31st of October 2024.
Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a short story that grips you with its smoky tendril hooks from the very first page. For such a short story, the worldbuilding and setting are brilliant. In a chaotic and barbaric world, full of monsters, giant trolls. Our main protagonist, Mandy, an elf who paints his face and loves death metal music just wants to make his way playing what he loves, bringing us on a roller coaster of fun, adventure, hilarious and blood drenched moments that any fantasy reader and death metal music fan would absolutely love.
In this brutal fantastic tale, Mandy or Ozzymandias, his bard stage name finds himself travelling from town to town, not a coin to his name, no friends, a freak, starving, his clothes and shoes nothing but rags just wants to preform what he loves death metal music.
But all that is about to change when he requires a lute through a card game, an old tattered piece of junk, strings worn, and riffless. Until it speaks to him through multiple voices, souls intwind in the lute looking for vengeance and murder, Mandy's life is about to change forever.
If you love a story, full hilarious witticisms, dark wizards, dragons, death metal bards, and the Witcher books, then check out this rocking explosive tale that will rock your sock off. After reading this, I will definitely be checking out his other books soon. I very highly recommend...💀🎸🔥🖤
This title is available for purchase on the 31st of October 2024.
October 1, 2024
I was a beta reader for this story, but I have reread the ARC copy, and this is a review of the ARC version.
I do love a book with a playlist, and this book certainly gives a howling performance throughout the pages. Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a perfect blend of D&D and Death Metal music. It features vignette-style adventures similar to the Witcher books, except if these adventures feature Jaskier as a corpse-painted lute-wielding hero.
When Ozzymandius (Mandy) comes into possession of a cursed lute that whispers murder and demands vengeance, it leads him on a journey to seek justice for his newfound instrument and companion. Along the way, this passionate outcast discovers that marching to the beat of your own drum can sometimes lead to new friends, new adventures, and a new sound the likes of which fantasy might not be ready for, but it will certainly be...brutal.
This was one the funniest novellas I have ever beta read for, and I had an even greater time with it the second time around. I loved how the plot was structured into “performances,” and how every performance featured a new evolution for our lead. The characters were very memorable, especially our Death Metal bard, and I really loved the specificity and sharpness of Rob’s prose. This book reminded me of one of my favorite reads of all time, Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike, in how it nailed that perfect blend of humor, D&D, and compelling characters.
Overall, this was a fun romp with heart, laughs, and some of the most brutal performances I have ever read. I'm ready for the encore!
“Death Metal is about lonely, different, nonconforming, fucked-up souls coming together to share something new, brutal and beautiful.”
Personal Rating: 4.75 stars
Indie Rating: 5 stars
I do love a book with a playlist, and this book certainly gives a howling performance throughout the pages. Performances of a Death Metal Bard is a perfect blend of D&D and Death Metal music. It features vignette-style adventures similar to the Witcher books, except if these adventures feature Jaskier as a corpse-painted lute-wielding hero.
When Ozzymandius (Mandy) comes into possession of a cursed lute that whispers murder and demands vengeance, it leads him on a journey to seek justice for his newfound instrument and companion. Along the way, this passionate outcast discovers that marching to the beat of your own drum can sometimes lead to new friends, new adventures, and a new sound the likes of which fantasy might not be ready for, but it will certainly be...brutal.
This was one the funniest novellas I have ever beta read for, and I had an even greater time with it the second time around. I loved how the plot was structured into “performances,” and how every performance featured a new evolution for our lead. The characters were very memorable, especially our Death Metal bard, and I really loved the specificity and sharpness of Rob’s prose. This book reminded me of one of my favorite reads of all time, Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike, in how it nailed that perfect blend of humor, D&D, and compelling characters.
Overall, this was a fun romp with heart, laughs, and some of the most brutal performances I have ever read. I'm ready for the encore!
“Death Metal is about lonely, different, nonconforming, fucked-up souls coming together to share something new, brutal and beautiful.”
Personal Rating: 4.75 stars
Indie Rating: 5 stars
December 5, 2025
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
I’d wanted to read Performances of a Death Metal Bard based on the recommendations of some bookish friends, so it worked out swimmingly that it also ended up on my team’s SFINC allocation.
This was a little out of my usual reads, not for any major reason other than I struggle with books that have songs in them. Like how am I supposed to know the tune? Do I create one? Default to some nursey rhyme sounds? This is a lot of pressure. Fear not, past-me! The lyrics performed by Ozzymandias, aka Mandy, are bolded and can be mentally screamed to get the full experience.
What else comes with the full experience? Haunted lute. Which Mandy was remarkably calm about. Especially when it kept whispering about murder to him.
Now the haunted lute is pretty much central to Mandy’s journey as an unusual death metal bard. And through the both of them we get to travel through various towns and cities, disrupting music competitions, meeting young loves, and disrupting music festivals. The novella is broken into three parts, each one following the mentioned storylines to a brutal finale, where it all comes together like any excellent show should. Not that I’ve been to a death metal show featuring an elf with a haunted lute, but if I had!
What I really enjoyed alongside the fun premise was Rob’s humour and even the moments that were very over the top were perfectly depicted because it’s death metal! It has to be over the top! It can’t be soft and quiet.
I had a lot of fun reading this one. Rob has a great sense of pacing, dialogue, set up and execution. I also think the story was the perfect length of leaving you feeling like you read just a really well-rounded and complete book.
That’s not to throw shade to any novellas that are set in wider worlds or build into longer novels. Just that this one really felt like it knew where it was going and had a lot of brutal fun along the way.
I also realise that that is the first instance of ‘Brutal’ that appears in this review. So have an extra: brutal.
If there’s one bard’s performance you don’t want to miss, it’s the Performances of the Death Metal Bard.
I’d wanted to read Performances of a Death Metal Bard based on the recommendations of some bookish friends, so it worked out swimmingly that it also ended up on my team’s SFINC allocation.
This was a little out of my usual reads, not for any major reason other than I struggle with books that have songs in them. Like how am I supposed to know the tune? Do I create one? Default to some nursey rhyme sounds? This is a lot of pressure. Fear not, past-me! The lyrics performed by Ozzymandias, aka Mandy, are bolded and can be mentally screamed to get the full experience.
What else comes with the full experience? Haunted lute. Which Mandy was remarkably calm about. Especially when it kept whispering about murder to him.
Now the haunted lute is pretty much central to Mandy’s journey as an unusual death metal bard. And through the both of them we get to travel through various towns and cities, disrupting music competitions, meeting young loves, and disrupting music festivals. The novella is broken into three parts, each one following the mentioned storylines to a brutal finale, where it all comes together like any excellent show should. Not that I’ve been to a death metal show featuring an elf with a haunted lute, but if I had!
What I really enjoyed alongside the fun premise was Rob’s humour and even the moments that were very over the top were perfectly depicted because it’s death metal! It has to be over the top! It can’t be soft and quiet.
I had a lot of fun reading this one. Rob has a great sense of pacing, dialogue, set up and execution. I also think the story was the perfect length of leaving you feeling like you read just a really well-rounded and complete book.
That’s not to throw shade to any novellas that are set in wider worlds or build into longer novels. Just that this one really felt like it knew where it was going and had a lot of brutal fun along the way.
I also realise that that is the first instance of ‘Brutal’ that appears in this review. So have an extra: brutal.
If there’s one bard’s performance you don’t want to miss, it’s the Performances of the Death Metal Bard.
November 11, 2024
This novella was absolutely incredible. Performances of a Death Metal Bard follows Ozzymandias, or Mandy for short, a bard who can’t quite get any traction in the land as a performer who produces a music of the most brutal sound. When he comes into possession of a cursed lute, his life is changed and the adventures begin.
The story is reminiscent of a TTRPG campaign with magic, intense characters and wild adventures. But there’s more to it.
Mandy’s tale brings to light the loneliness and anger that can accompany feeling different. Because Mandy prefers the sound of death Metal, he finds himself a pariah in the land, unable to find work and those who share his interest.
Being a metal head can feel isolating. Someone who is interested in the darker, grittier side of life can often be classified as different and an outcast. Mandy gets this. And instead of conforming, he embraces it even if it means he does so alone.
This novella brings to light the beauty of Metal, the catharsis of expelling one’s anger in a scream, and that pain shouldn’t push people away but bring them together.
I enjoyed every moment of Mandy’s journey, cheering him on and loving the friends he made along the way.
The story is reminiscent of a TTRPG campaign with magic, intense characters and wild adventures. But there’s more to it.
Mandy’s tale brings to light the loneliness and anger that can accompany feeling different. Because Mandy prefers the sound of death Metal, he finds himself a pariah in the land, unable to find work and those who share his interest.
Being a metal head can feel isolating. Someone who is interested in the darker, grittier side of life can often be classified as different and an outcast. Mandy gets this. And instead of conforming, he embraces it even if it means he does so alone.
This novella brings to light the beauty of Metal, the catharsis of expelling one’s anger in a scream, and that pain shouldn’t push people away but bring them together.
I enjoyed every moment of Mandy’s journey, cheering him on and loving the friends he made along the way.
September 6, 2024
I received this as an ARC, and I must say, it’s one of my favorite reads all year.
It’s an epic, metal adventure, starring a very hungry elf bard, Ozzymandias, and his enchanted Lute. He is an outcast, and reviled by humans and elves, alike.
It turns out, a dirty rotten mage named Emile has bound souls to this lute, which wants Ozzy to exact revenge against said mage. But first, he must hone his metal bard-craft with the help of the Lute.
What ensues is Ozzy’s adventures through the towns and cities of humans, and becoming friends with the most famous bard of the land; Natalya, a she-elf of renown, who has formed an unexpected friendship with Ozzy. Friendship is something he’s quite unfamiliar with, but it somehow finds him, and comes from some unirthodox places. And when he puts himself face to face with the powerful mage Emile, he digs deeper than he ever has, and brings the metal out of its shell. A full blown battle ensues, with the mage pitted against our death metal bard.
Please, read this novella! It’s funny, and completely unexpected in the realm of fantasy. And that’s a rare thing, indeed.
It’s an epic, metal adventure, starring a very hungry elf bard, Ozzymandias, and his enchanted Lute. He is an outcast, and reviled by humans and elves, alike.
It turns out, a dirty rotten mage named Emile has bound souls to this lute, which wants Ozzy to exact revenge against said mage. But first, he must hone his metal bard-craft with the help of the Lute.
What ensues is Ozzy’s adventures through the towns and cities of humans, and becoming friends with the most famous bard of the land; Natalya, a she-elf of renown, who has formed an unexpected friendship with Ozzy. Friendship is something he’s quite unfamiliar with, but it somehow finds him, and comes from some unirthodox places. And when he puts himself face to face with the powerful mage Emile, he digs deeper than he ever has, and brings the metal out of its shell. A full blown battle ensues, with the mage pitted against our death metal bard.
Please, read this novella! It’s funny, and completely unexpected in the realm of fantasy. And that’s a rare thing, indeed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
First, a huge thank you to the author for sending me a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Rob Leigh, you are a genius. This novella was so much fun and I had a terrific time reading it. I wish it was longer. A few real selling points for me:
1. The concept. The idea of a bard and a talking lute playing metal music together? Fantastic. No notes.
2. The episodic nature of the story. The novella had four chapters, each with its own distinct story, but they were all a part of the same revenge arc, which wrapped up in STYLE.
3. The comedy. Rob Leigh does this brilliantly. The story is not super comedic, but the concept is, and when the two are blended into a book, what you get is just the right amount of laughter. This book was serious when it needed to be, but overall was still really funny! Perfectly done!
If that sounds interesting to you, and you don’t mind a good deal of language, you should definitely check this out!
Rob Leigh, you are a genius. This novella was so much fun and I had a terrific time reading it. I wish it was longer. A few real selling points for me:
1. The concept. The idea of a bard and a talking lute playing metal music together? Fantastic. No notes.
2. The episodic nature of the story. The novella had four chapters, each with its own distinct story, but they were all a part of the same revenge arc, which wrapped up in STYLE.
3. The comedy. Rob Leigh does this brilliantly. The story is not super comedic, but the concept is, and when the two are blended into a book, what you get is just the right amount of laughter. This book was serious when it needed to be, but overall was still really funny! Perfectly done!
If that sounds interesting to you, and you don’t mind a good deal of language, you should definitely check this out!
September 9, 2024
You know when you go to a movie and the fight scenes have epic music in the background that get you pumped about the action? Well, here it is in book form! Death Metal Bard is fantastic in so many ways. The world building is done very well with the places the main character Mandy has to go, with the sights and smells of some pretty wild locations. The banter between Mandy and his Lute are witty and the one lines are great. If you like a book that builds from one fight to another growing in threat, you will like this book. If you like music with crazy lyrics that you try to sing along with as you read, you will like this book. If you like found family, who would think that from the name of this Novella, you will like this book. That is just a few things that this book has. I highly recommend you give this a shot if you want a quick read that is fun and exciting all in one.
October 15, 2024
I was provided an ARC by the author.
I'm not normally a novella reader. I typically like my fantasy in long 5+ book series. However when I saw the blurb for this most Metal of novellas I knew I had to read it. A non-traditional Elf struggling to make a place in a traditional elf culture? Sign me up.
In such a small word count Rob Leigh manages to write characters that feel so real. Mandy's struggle to share his music and be himself in a world where "other" is not welcome is so relatable. He refuses to give in. Refuses to conform. And finds a quest and friends along the way.
I would highly recommend this novella to anyone looking for a Metal good time. Fast, but well-paced, it's sure to leave you wanting more stories about Mandy and Lute. It can be a bit brutal at times, but it wouldn't be Metal any other way.
I'm not normally a novella reader. I typically like my fantasy in long 5+ book series. However when I saw the blurb for this most Metal of novellas I knew I had to read it. A non-traditional Elf struggling to make a place in a traditional elf culture? Sign me up.
In such a small word count Rob Leigh manages to write characters that feel so real. Mandy's struggle to share his music and be himself in a world where "other" is not welcome is so relatable. He refuses to give in. Refuses to conform. And finds a quest and friends along the way.
I would highly recommend this novella to anyone looking for a Metal good time. Fast, but well-paced, it's sure to leave you wanting more stories about Mandy and Lute. It can be a bit brutal at times, but it wouldn't be Metal any other way.
September 2, 2024
This book is the child of D&D and death metal we never knew we needed. You are dropped immediately into the story and feel the protagonist's angst and loneliness as he cuts is forehead on coarse fabric. You follow our bard on his journey of vengeance while experiencing his burgeoning faith in himself and others as he makes unlikely friends and learns the metal-ness of friendship and comradery. All while looking seriously bada**.
The text is rich and makes you feel a part of the story. Sometimes as an observer, and sometimes as the rage and vengeance of one of the characters. The characters are well-written and compelling, having flaws that make them relatable as they perform heroics we can only dream of.
The text is rich and makes you feel a part of the story. Sometimes as an observer, and sometimes as the rage and vengeance of one of the characters. The characters are well-written and compelling, having flaws that make them relatable as they perform heroics we can only dream of.
November 4, 2024
METAL!
This was a wonderful fresh idea for a fantasy story. An elf bard named Mandy (Ozzymandius) travels the land and all he wants to do is play brutal death metal. But, the crowds don't understand him, and he has yet to find the right sound. Until he picks up a lute with encaged spirits. Then things become brutal.
A great short story that mixes death metal and fantasy, but also writes about wanting to find your own place in the world and acceptance and the friendships made on the journey.
In addition to roaring riffs and beating basslines, the novella is also funny. Yes, blood is flying and skin melting off bodies (BRUTAL!), but also jokes and warmth.
Would love to read more about the adventures of Mandy and recommend others read the first outing.
This was a wonderful fresh idea for a fantasy story. An elf bard named Mandy (Ozzymandius) travels the land and all he wants to do is play brutal death metal. But, the crowds don't understand him, and he has yet to find the right sound. Until he picks up a lute with encaged spirits. Then things become brutal.
A great short story that mixes death metal and fantasy, but also writes about wanting to find your own place in the world and acceptance and the friendships made on the journey.
In addition to roaring riffs and beating basslines, the novella is also funny. Yes, blood is flying and skin melting off bodies (BRUTAL!), but also jokes and warmth.
Would love to read more about the adventures of Mandy and recommend others read the first outing.
September 24, 2024
It's a great novella.
I received an ARC for a review.
Don't avoid this book because death, heavy, or black metal bands aren't your taste. I'd recommend just sampling some of that music so you have an idea of the music at the core of the main character.
It has a familiar used plot point of an item that is cursed with trapped souls. The author brings a unique twist to it.
It does have a lot of heart, as don't judge a book, or person, by how they look or what they listen to.
Great book for in-between huge chonky reads. I'm going to get a physical copy and sit it right next to Kings of the wild.
I received an ARC for a review.
Don't avoid this book because death, heavy, or black metal bands aren't your taste. I'd recommend just sampling some of that music so you have an idea of the music at the core of the main character.
It has a familiar used plot point of an item that is cursed with trapped souls. The author brings a unique twist to it.
It does have a lot of heart, as don't judge a book, or person, by how they look or what they listen to.
Great book for in-between huge chonky reads. I'm going to get a physical copy and sit it right next to Kings of the wild.
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