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

Telling the history of Metal music, a complex and incredibly rich scene spanning more than four decades, surely must not have been easy. Ian Christe though managed to pull it off here, in a book that is as interesting as it is easy to read. Sure, it's quite a romp and the fans won't learn much! But it still is nice to go through the whole story, both of the music itself and of the different contexts in which it has been evolving. We see the impacts of various other genres (from punk to grunge and hard-core hip-hop up to electro). There are also nice insights regarding the response of society at large towards such a misunderstood art, that the mass medias both courted (after all glam made MTV!) and vilified (the whole 'devil's music' show more bulls@*t!).

Now, true, 'Sound of the Beast' has many flaws. The lists of various albums and else being given are obviously very controversial (but so it goes with every list!...). Some subgenres and their influences are not given as much credit as they should (European heavy/progressive and its impact from classical music, for example), a strange attitude considering that the author doesn't shy away from more extreme and shocking ones (death metal, black metal). It also puzzlingly is, after a few chapters, nearly all centred around Metallica, a band used as a backbone to illustrate the evolution of the genre over the past decades (an approach that appears, interestingly, quite relevant, but just a bit baffling and overdone at times).

However, if I won't say that this book is the 'Complete' history of Heavy Metal (careful with what it claims on the tin!) it remains nevertheless a very good snapshot written by a knowledgeable insider. That alone makes it a worthy read. Plus, I really liked the ending, opening up on how the music has now reached some Muslim countries and how it has been received over there, going thus full circle with how it was received in the West back at its roots.

All in all a nice but straightforward history... But might it appeal more to curious outsiders than pure metal heads knowing it all already? show less

I LOVE books like this. Tons of history, great quotes, stories and in this case a lot insight and some great writing. I was really sad that it wasn't written more recently so I could hear the author's take on more modern metal and current situation. But really this was about nostalgia for the "glory days". This book reminded me about bands I had loved in the past and forgotten and got me listening to bands I either missed somehow or didn't really care for back in the day. It made me regret missing concerts from some of these bands and reminded me of some of the amazing shows I've been too.

Another cool thing about this book is that it covers the entire world and metal starting from Iommi's first power chord (and even before that show more somewhat) until around 2003 when the book was published. Hearing about how restrictive some countries are about visiting bands and even their citizens owning heavy metal albums was saddening and interesting, but also exciting to think of metalheads in other countries fighting the good fight to keep their artistic freedom.

It's been quite a ride, now I can't wait to pour over this book and look up all the bands he mentioned that I have never heard before or don't remember. show less

ADDENDUM - June 2011: I finally had to part ways with my copy of this book after vomiting red wine all over it as it sat unawares on my toilet tank. A fittingly metal end to this fine book.

This book has lived on my toilet tank for four years now, through several different residences. I mean that as high praise; it lends itself to being opened to a random page, and providing five-minute doses of facts, stories, perpective and humor.

I bought this for £1 in a charity shop at that price it was a bargain, nicely printed and well written Christe has a great knowledge on the subject. As a general history it is about the best i have seen and a great introduction for newcomers; however, given that heavy-metal is a very fractured subject with a myriad of sub-genres each with their own tangled and colourful histories. Inevitably certain areas suffer in trying to condense them into one tome and those well-versed may find it less revelatory.

I love heavy metal. It's agressive and artisitic, angry and beautiful. I was attracted to this book by the cover, which resembles several of the best metal albums of the 80's and 90's. This book takes a look at the birth of heavy metal - from Zeplin and Sabbath, to the death metal bands that pushed the genre to the extreme. It tries to stay in a chronological order, but it does get a little off at times. And, there is a little too much on Metallica. I did learn some interesting facts and even discovered some new bands along the way. So three devil horns up. Okay, that was corny...

Arguably no one has studied Metal history more extensively than Ian. And this book demonstrates that. His graphic metal timeline is truly something to behold.

Probably the only great book about heavy metal. Essential to all headbangers.