CAUSE/EFFECT: METALLICA

by Chris Akin

CAUSE/EFFECT: METALLICA revisits the lead up and release of Metallica's iconic and career defining release METALLICA (or "The Black Album" as it's commonly known. In this book, author Chris Akin remembers the build up to the release of METALLICA, the way in which it divided the once loyal Metallica fanbase, and the way this release changed the way that commercial radio was programmed. Featuring stores of the industry as well as personal memories from rock critic and radio personality Chris Akin, CAUSE/EFFECT: METALLICA paints a clear picture of just how this monumental release changed the way people thought about heavy metal, what was good on the radio, and the divided nature in which this album immediately effected the band themselves.

58 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2014

About the author

Chris Akin is not the kind of person you would expect to write a book.

Chris Akin is the kind of person you would expect people to write books about.

For over 20 years, Chris Akin has been a larger and louder than life character in the media of one of the countries most major markets – Cleveland, Ohio. Chris has held a myriad of positions in the Cleveland media. He got his start in the media writing for the biggest free music and entertainment magazine in Cleveland – SCENE Magazine. Additionally, he was a regular contributor for magazines such as the short-lived BUZZARD BONE, the online zine BLOGCRITICS and Chicago’s MIDWEST BEAT, to name a few. Never being satisfied, Chris soon decided that he would expand past those projects and start his own magazine. So he started MUSIC’S BOTTOM LINE; a no-bullshit magazine that challenged the Cleveland print medium to keep up as it became the most respected publication for pure music coverage. While the other magazines in town focused on selling advertising, MUSIC’S BOTTOM LINE kept it’s bottom line focused on music.

At the same time, Chris took to the radio to become one of the most acknowledged and feared radio hosts in Cleveland. Hosting THE METAL SHOW on Cleveland’s biggest radio station, 100.7 WMMS and then later at 92.3 WXRK, Chris found incredible success on the strength of testing every boundary that program directors, the FCC and just common decency would allow. Regularly in trouble with station management, but more beloved for their hard hitting style, THE METAL SHOW took the Cleveland Metal Scene by storm for well over a decade. Still, Chris needed more, so he went to the internet where his rebellious ways could go unchallenged, joining THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW and converting the show from a mostly music program to a ferocious, attacking show that had no guilt about anything.

Chris Akin was on top of the world with his radio and written ventures, but when you live that high on success for a lot of years, you generally forget to prepare yourself for any sort of fall whatsoever.

That fall came on June 22nd, 2012 when his wife of over 23 years left him and soon filed for divorce. Unprepared emotionally and completely unable to cope with a failure such as this, Chris quickly spiraled into an out of control depression, considered taking his own life, and through a lot of surprising circumstances, made the decision and found the way to change his life for the better.

LITTLE VICTORIES is the story of a shock jock’s emotional struggles. It’s a real world, raw emotional look at a year that saw not only a shattering divorce, but a rebirth of a person who had spent his whole life raging against everyone, everything and who purposely pushed every button to come off as the most powerful person in any room. It profiles the victories as well as the defeats; some of which are so sickening in emotional scope that they leave you questioning how his friends ever stuck around to see him through the tough times.

…and the friends? They are numerous, highlighted by a group Chris calls “The Core 9″. This collection of 9 friends are who the book is truly about, as these are the people that saw through the blustery public facade of “Chris Akin” and challenged him at every turn to get better.

LITTLE VICTORIES is a definitive story about learning how much you hate things about yourself, and working hard to fix them. It proves that almost any change is possible if you truly want it. It showcases how far you can come, even in the most dire of circumstances. In short, it shows that no matter how bad things get, nothing is final until you quit on making it better. In Chris Akin’s case, he never quit for a second.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cause/Effect: Metallica won't go down as the definitive last word on Metallica's "Black Album," but that's not the intent here. Instead, the book examines in brief the period leading up to the release of the album and then after the album was released, author Chris Akin recalls the reaction from longtime Metallica fans as they heard the new material for the first time. Akin wraps in his personal reflections (and experiences with the band) as a Metallica fan when examining the album and that's really what makes this an engaging read. For anyone who has ever called themselves a "Metallica fan," Akin's words will ring true -- these are the discussions that you've had with fellow Metallica friends over beers, in the parking lot before a Metallica concert, etc. Track by track, Akin takes a look at the "Effect" that the Metallica album had on the band's career from that point forward and it's a fair and balanced look that examines the impact of the "Black Album" both critically and from the fan's perspective. As the opening shot from a planned series of similarly themed releases under the "Cause/Effect" name, I'll look forward to additional volumes. A good quick read that is also well-written. Would love to see a full-on Metallica book from Akin someday, but for now, I'll put in my vote for Load/Reload and .....And Justice For All.