Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult (Extreme Metal)

This is a meticulously researched book of grand proportions. Over four hundred pages in length, it is an extensive history of the black metal genre, from incubation in the sinister speed metal of Venom, through the notorious second wave, all the way to contemporary bands like Alcest and Wolves in the Throne Room. This book gives a large amount of its space over to Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, etc. and for good reason, but it also gives attention to lesser known bands and unearths details that even hardened black metal devotees might not know about. If you loved Lords of Chaos, but wanted to read more about the music rather than the sensationalism, this book delivers ten times over.