The History Book Club discussion

This is the thread which is dedicated to the musical genre: Metal



This musical genre was requested by Michael.

Thanks Bentley, here is Wikipedia's definition of Metal.

Heavy metal (often referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music[1] that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States.[2] With roots in blues-rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are generally associated with masculinity and machismo.[3]

The first heavy metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple attracted large audiences, though they were often critically reviled, a status common throughout the history of the genre. In the mid-1970s Judas Priest helped spur the genre's evolution by discarding much of its blues influence; Motörhead introduced a punk rock sensibility and an increasing emphasis on speed. Bands in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal such as Iron Maiden followed in a similar vein. Before the end of the decade, heavy metal had attracted a worldwide following of fans known as "metalheads" or "headbangers".

In the 1980s, glam metal became a major commercial force with groups like Mötley Crüe and Ratt. Underground scenes produced an array of more extreme, aggressive styles: thrash metal broke into the mainstream with bands such as Metallica and Megadeth, while other styles like death metal and black metal remain subcultural phenomena. Since the mid-1990s, popular styles such as nu metal, which often incorporates elements of grunge and hip hop; and metalcore, which blends extreme metal with hardcore punk, have further expanded the definition of the genre.

Good of you to add the above.

Heres some of my favorite Metal Songs:

First is Metallica'a Classic One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzgGTT...

For my next choice is System Of The Down B.Y.O.B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TteLS...

I cant go past a Megadeth tune Peace Sells http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KDO_y...

Here is Anvil Metal on Metal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YwSBW... by the way I suggest everyone to watch the Anvile Doco, great viewing.

Next is Rage against the Machine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cHy4u...

Finally I leave you with Tenacious D salute to Metal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC6CPw...

This is but a taste of Metal I hope you enjoy.

For you out there who love Metal and I know your out there. Hidding your leather pants chainmail vests in the attic, here is an awesome new live Music dvd called THE BIG 4.

Wikipedia
In December 2009 Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax were confirmed to tour together at Sonisphere festivals in Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey. During the festival in Sofia, Bulgaria on 22 June 2010 - all band members from Anthrax, Megadeth, and Metallica, and Slayer's Dave Lombardo, shared the stage together for the first time, playing Diamond Head's song "Am I Evil?". Notably, it was the first time James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Dave Mustaine played together since 1983, when Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica. The show was screened in cinemas around the world; with Lars Ulrich also announcing that a DVD of the event will be produced. The promoter of the event claims that the concert was watched by more than 100,000 fans around the world[3]. As well as being a celebration of the work of the Big Four of Thrash Metal over the last 30 years, the event was also used to remember Ronnie James Dio. The singer from Black Sabbath, Dio, and Rainbow, as well as his newest and his final band Heaven and Hell had passed away a little over a month before and in addition to the bands sharing memories of Dio, Anthrax performed a version of "Heaven and Hell".

Thank you for the add Michael....is there a sample you can add of this album?

Michael wrote: "For you out there who love Metal and I know your out there. Hidding your leather pants chainmail vests in the attic, here is an awesome new live Music dvd called THE BIG 4.

Wikipedia
In Decemb..."

Thanks!

Bentley wrote: "Thank you for the add Michael....is there a sample you can add of this album?"
Sure can Bentley here is Metallica's classic One based on
1971 movie adaptation of by Dalton Trumbo
which is the tale of a soldier whose body is severely damaged by a mortar shell. His arms, legs, eyes, mouth, nose and ears are gone and he is unable to see, speak, smell, or hear. His mind functions perfectly, however, leaving him trapped inside his own body.

It has the best change up in Metal history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6WbMu...

Here is the official Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BibR2S...

Thank you so much Michael for the add.

For all you Metal Heads out there, surely I can not be the only one, here is some good movies to check out.

Anvil: The Story so far http://www.metacritic.com/movie/anvil... a must for anyone slightly interested in a distortion pedal. A great story of never giving up.

Spinal Tap http://www.metacritic.com/movie/this-...
A classic movie in its own right

Metallica: Some kind of monster http://www.metacritic.com/movie/metal...
A great Doco into the making of a Album, but also shows what happens when fame goes to your head. Oh yeah it also has the lead singer from Megadeth, Dave Mustane, crying because of being kicked out of Metallica ruined his career. Earth to Dave last time I checked Megadeth had out sold Metallica.

And last but not least Jack Black's homage to all thing metal.
Tenacious D in the Pick Of Destiny http://www.metacritic.com/movie/tenac...
A great metal musical what you would expect from Jack Black.

Well thats enough from me on the Heavy thread I hope it inspires some people to check out a bit of metal. It's not that bad honesty, the musical skill and some of the compositions are truly of epic proportion. As a guitarist of near 30 year I can only play half of what I would like to in this genre, the technical aspect is finger knotting.

Michael wrote: "For all you Metal Heads out there, surely I can not be the only one, here is some good movies to check out.

Anvil: The Story so far http://www.metacritic.com/movie/anvil... a m..."

Spinal tap is a classic alright.

I'm not a 'real' metal fan - I've only liked two albums:
System of a down's and Disturbed's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1-FwE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09LTT0...

Very interesting Danna thank you - you are shaking up some of the older threads and that is a good thing - keep it up.

And then there is Judas Priest, still rocking hard at this live performance in 2005

You've Got Another Thing Comin'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cmefZ...

I am a huge Disturbed fan :) and as for Judas they are timeless. Here is a band I am going to see next month http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLHXYL... called Barbarion. They from all accounts put on a great show.

They are playing in a huge event down here called Dark MoFo. This event has bands and artist from around the world turn up little all Hobart. This is all thanks to a very cashed up local who has opened up a new world class art museum called Mona http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_o....

Along with the bass guitarist from the Violent Femmes Brian Ritchie, who also know lives in Hobart, they have bought to Hobart a world class event.

Hope you enjoy your event - sounds like it will be well attended.

Can't forget Black Sabbath!!! Here they are in a typical MTV music video from 1970, rocking out with Paranoid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZyVZF...

Great add Jill :)

Certainly not my favorite metal band but they did have an influence. Fronted by Dee Snider,Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island, New York. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest along with a driving style that is similar to AC/DC. While the band members' famously cross-dressed appearance might seem to link them with the 1980s glam metal movement, Twisted Sister's aggressive musical style was coupled with a more grotesque use of makeup and women's clothing resulting in a product quite distinct from the more hedonistic androgyny of glam metal groups like Mötley Crüe and Poison. Often mistaken as glam metal for their image, the band often aren't recognized as glam metal and the band considers the "glam metal" tag to be inappropriate.

Twisted Sister are also ranked No.73 in VH1's 100 greatest artists of hard rock.

We're Not Gonna Take It

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MotNtq...

How about symthonic metal? It has to be one of my favorite branches of metal. I love female signers in metal!

Nightwish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF6JHV...

Within Temptation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sCkAv...

Stream of Passion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKOx8...

The Agonist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jud_S...

The grandaddy of metal bands, Led Zeppelin. Love them or hate them, they were there at the beginning and rocked the joint.

Black Dog - Led Zep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tlSx0...

Alicja wrote: "How about symthonic metal? It has to be one of my favorite branches of metal. I love female signers in metal!

Nightwish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF6JHV...

Within Temptation: http://www.y..."

Within Temptation is one of my favorites as well:

Hand of Sorrow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_c6Xf...

Truth Beneath the Rose:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW_PW6...

Some great metal music there people :)

This band has grabbed my attention. In my opinion the best Metal album this century. They are an alternative metal band called Gemini Syndrome and they come from LA and their debut album is called LUX. So click the links below and enjoy.


Stardust:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvsgYB...

Basement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMmnl2...

Pleasure and Pain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Y1wh...

Babylon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoUyg8...

Adding some books to this topic, while I love Black Sabbath with Ozzy, Dio, and Ian Gillan, I found Tony Iommi's autobiography not quite as well-written as I had hoped. I thought the Bob Mould's autobiography (is husker du somewhat metally? I think so, but would not classify them as true metal) was a better written book. Tony's book seemed somewhat pedestrian to me, which was disappointing to me. I'm not saying don't buy it, I was glad I read it, I just wished it was better written.

Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath

Tony Iommi

Another great read was Motley Crue's The Dirt. As a old-school Crue fan (until home sweet home got so overplayed, and didn't really like the Smoking in the boys room cover, but I did really like Girlsx3, Dr Feelgood, and the incredible Kickstart my heart, what a great freakin song), I (surprisingly) really enjoyed reading this book.

The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band

Tommy Lee

Great recommendations, Marc. You mentioned one of my favorite songs by the Crue.....Kickstart My Heart......here it is from the 2011 Tours for your enjoyment.

Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5em6P...

Awesome recommendation! My mom raised me on Black Sabbath so I'd be interested in that one.

This is the book for the metal fan!!!

Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal

by Ian Christe

Synopsis:

The definitive history of the first 30 years of heavy metal, containing over 100 interviews with members of Black Sabbath, Metallica, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Slipknot, Kiss, Megadeth, Public Enemy, Napalm Death, and more.

More than 30 years after Black Sabbath released the first complete heavy metal album, its founder, Ozzy Osbourne, is the star of The Osbournes, TV's favourite new reality show. Contrary to popular belief, headbangers and the music they love are more alive than ever. Yet there has never been a comprehensive book on the history of heavy metal - until now. Featuring interviews with members of the biggest bands in the genre, Sound of the Beast gives an overview of the past 30-plus years of heavy metal, delving into the personalities of those who created it. Everything is here, from the bootlegging beginnings of fans like Lars Ulrich (future founder of Metallica) to the sold-out stadiums and personal excesses of the biggest groups. From heavy metal's roots in the work of breakthrough groups such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin to MTV hair metal, courtroom controversies, black metal murderers and Ozzfest, Sound of the Beast offers the final word on this elusive, extreme, and far-reaching form of music.

Jill wrote: "This is the book for the metal fan!!!

Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal

by..."

Awesome will have to buy it :)

From Metallica to Megadeath, it is the fall and rise of one of metal's icons.

Mustain: A Heavy Metal Memoir

by Dave Mustaine

Synopsis:

Dave Mustaine is the first to admit that he's bottomed out a few times in his dark and twisted speed metal version of a Dickensian life.

Impoverished, transient childhood? Check.

Abusive, alcoholic parent? Check.

Religious weirdness (in his case the extremes of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Satanism)? Check.

Alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness? Check, check, check.

Soul-crushing professional and artistic setbacks? Check.

Rehab? Check (seventeen times, give or take).

Near-death experience? Check that one, too.

James Hetfield, with whom many years ago Mustaine founded a band known as Metallica, once observed, with some incredulity, that Mustaine must have been born with a horseshoe up his ass. That's how lucky he's been, how fortunate he is to be pulling breath after so many close calls. And Hetfield is right. Mustaine has been lucky. He has been blessed. But here's the thing about having a horseshoe lodged in your rectum: It also hurts like hell. And you never forget it's there.

Mustaine has battled through it all to achieve dizzying heights. From the early, heady days of Metallica, being unceremoniously let go only to become a world-famous rock star—founder, front man, singer, songwriter, and guitarist (and de facto CEO) for Megadeth, one of the most popular bands in heavy metal—Mustaine's is a story that will inspire, stun, and terrify

Gee - I never could quite get into metal except ZZ Top who really is more Hard Rock.

Just a warning. I bought the Led Zep documentary The Song Remains the Same in a bargain bin and it is simply terrible. I am a great Zep fan but this film looks like something your little brother made in his spare time. It is just slapped together with no rhyme nor reason. But this is just my humble opinion. Others might like it but it certainly did nothing for me.

Oh, boy! Metal. Books and music. Now we're talking my language. How 'bout some seriously heavy metal...

Pantera - By Demons Be Driven from Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

http://grooveshark.com/s/By+Demons+Be...

Enjoy my music on GrooveShark --> http://grooveshark.com/#!/vtel57

Marc wrote: "Adding some books to this topic, while I love Black Sabbath with Ozzy, Dio, and Ian Gillan, I found Tony Iommi's autobiography not quite as well-written as I had hoped. I thought the Bob Mould's a..."

I disagree Marc. I thoroughly enjoyed the Iommi autobio. I felt it was Tony telling stories about his life and times. More personal and engaging than a straight up bio.

Well written, if sensationalistic, history of supposed Satanism in Metal. Focuses primarily on Scandinavian Black Metal and the Mayhem - Varg Vikerns deaths and church burnings.
by Michael Moynihan

Disbelief in one (the Christian god) would preclude belief in the other. :)

A hoot of an autobiography by Scott Ian who co-founded the metal band Anthrax

I'm The Man: The Story of That Guy from Anthrax

by Scott Ian (no photo)

Synopsis

I'm the Man is the fast–paced, humorous, and revealing memoir from the man who co-founded Anthrax, the band that proved to the masses that brutality and fun didn’t have to be mutually exclusive. Through various lineup shifts, label snafus, rock 'n' roll mayhem, and unforeseen circumstances galore, Scott Ian has approached life and music with a smile, viewing the band with deadly seriousness while recognizing the ridiculousness of the entertainment industry. Always performing with abundant energy that revealed his passion for his craft, Ian has never let the gravity of being a rock star go to his shaven, goateed head.

Ian tells his life story with a clear-eyed honesty that spares no one, least of all himself, starting with his upbringing as a nerdy Jewish boy in Queens and evolving through his first musical epiphany when he saw KISS live on television and realized what he wanted to do with his life. He chronicles his adolescence growing up in a dysfunctional home where the records blasting on his stereo failed to drown out the sound of his parents shouting at one another. He sets down the details of his fateful escape into the turbulent world of heavy metal. And of course he lays bare the complete history of Anthrax—from the band's formation to their present-day reinvigoration—as they wrote and recorded thrash classics like Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, and the top-twenty-charting State of Euphoria.

Along the way, Ian recounts harrowing, hysterical tales from his long tour of duty in the world of hard rock. He witnesses the rise of Metallica, for which he had a front row seat. He parties with the late Dimebag Darrell while touring with Pantera and gets wild with Black Label Society frontman and longtime Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde. He escapes detection while interviewing Ozzy for "The Rock Show" while dressed as Gene Simmons and avoids arrest after getting detained on suspicion of drugs while riding the tube in England with the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.

In addition, I'm the Man addresses the trials and tribulations of Ian's life and loves. He admits his foibles and reveals the mistakes made along the way to becoming a fully-functioning adult. He celebrates finally finding peace and a true sense of family with his wife, singer/songwriter Pearl Aday, and examines how his world changed after the birth of their first son.

I'm the Man is a blistering hard rock memoir, one that is astonishing in its candor and deftly told by the man who's kept the institution of Anthrax alive for more than thirty years.

Interesting treat for the music thread.

Thanks Jill what a great add I love Anthrax

Not much text but the photographs will get you rockin'.

Motley Crue

by Seamus Craic (no photo)

Synopsis

A fully illustrated biography of this phenomenally successful iconic band. Authored by best-selling Seamus Craic, pictures by rock photographers. Collector's item.

This will get you up on your feet and dancing.

Ace of Spades by Motorhead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iwC2...

Nice add Jill. Here is a couple of my favourite metal bands at the moment

Savior by Rise Against

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8X3A...

Pleasure and Pain by Gemini Syndrome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Y1w...

I'm So Sick by Flyleaf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWIAD...

Thanks, Michael. Some good choice there.

Former drummer of Megadeath Dies.

Drummer Nick Menza who played on many of Megadeth's most successful albums, died after he collapsed on stage during a show. He was 51.
Menza was into the third song with his new band Ohm when he collapsed late Saturday night, said Ohm's manager Steve Bauer. Paramedics couldn't revive him.

The band was playing at The Baked Potato, in Studio City, California.

(Source: CNN)

That is too bad. It must be quite a strain performing like that. He was not old.

Another great read is from Lamb of God's D. Randall Blythe, Dark Days: A Memoir. It's his story over the outcome of an out-of-control concert in Prague, where a fan died. He was accused of murdering him by pushing him off the stage, where the fan landed on his head and a few days later, died. His tale of his arrest, incarceration, trial, and eventual acquittal was amazingly well written, and will keep you riveted. Having been in several pits, had a few people land on my head from stage-diving, and seen a few crowds part where some stage diver hit the floor, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often, and I get why clubs today try to shut down stage diving.

I've become more a LoG fan now (wasn't really before reading the book)! Check it out!!

D. Randall Blythe(no photo)

Also, check out Lita Ford's biography, Living Like A Runaway. Her rise, romances and hookups (Ramones, Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, etc.) and exile for a few years, and a little on her family turmoil with her kids (probably good to not air out that dirty laundry too much). Highly recommended!

Lita Ford (no photo)

and lastly for today, Ministry: The Lost Gospels according to Al Jourgensen. For those of you who don't know Ministry, they were/are?? a band that evolved from synthpop (With Sympathy, which Al absolutely detested, claiming he was forced by record company execs), to the groundbreaking industrial sound of the incredible Land of Rape and Honey, MInd is a Terrible Thing to Taste, and Psalm 69, to a more metal/speed metal sound (bad blood, reload, and lieslieslies from later disks are some of my favorites). Anyhoo, it's his tale (along with some quick excerpts form others who sometimes contradict him!). Not surprising since his excessive use of drugs and near-death/really died experiences, kinda amazing he's still around.

Al Jourgensen

You are a Metal maven, Marc!!! Thanks for all the recommendations.

BTW, dont' forget to add the word "by" in front of the author's link/photo.

He is one of a kind!!!

Welcome to my Nightmare: The Alice Cooper Story

by Dave Thompson

Synopsis:

Alice Cooper is an American rock star whose career has spanned more than four decades. With a stage show that features guillotines, electric chairs, boa constrictors and baby dolls, Cooper has pioneered a grandly theatrical and violent brand of hard rock designed to shock.

Drawing from exclusive and unpublished interviews with a variety of names and faces from throughout Alice’s career, the book follows Cooper’s tale from his life growing up as a preacher’s son in Arizona, through the early years of struggle in Phoenix and then Los Angeles, and then onto the rollercoaster ride that has been the years since then.

Includes interviews with original bandmates Michael Bruce and the late Glenn Buxton, drummer Neal Smith, the late Frank Zappa, manager Shep Gordon and producer Bob Ezrin. Includes tributes and recollections from many of the artists who call Alice an influence - from the Damned and the Cramps, to White Zombie and Gwar. Session players and songwriters who have made their own contributions to the Alice story recall their days spent with this Prince of Hell-raisers. Includes full discography and bibliography.

10 Best Metal Albums of 2018

Link: https://youtu.be/1R9BWvXBiVg

Source: Loudwire