The Book of Metal: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Metal Music Ever Created

Rating:
Summary: Great Reference Book of Bands
Review: This book offers brief descriptions of bands, both mainstream (Metallica, Slayer, Blink 182, Fuel, etc) as well as the not-so-mainstream (Testament, Nebula, Hellhammer, Dream Theater, etc). Gives details on how the band was formed, the line-up (including their stage names), their influences, where they came from, and what other bands they have played in. I thought this was a very nice reference/encyclopedia book that covers the past 30 years. But be warned, it is not that informative if you are trying to research bands. If you want more detailed information, look elsewhere or buy separate books.

Rating:
Summary: A Light Read
Review: This is a pretty good book if you want some light reading and you're a fan of metal music, although lots of non-metal bands are covered. It's interesting to read the stories of all the bands in the book. Some bands, though, have no business even being in the book, and others are given too much emphasis, leaving out other deserving bands. There are also lots of annoying mistakes, like "Melissa Auf de Meyer" instead of "Melissa Auf de Maur." If you want some serious metal reading, this book isn't for you. But if you want a quick read with lots of glossy, colorful pictures, buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: A despicable joke and a tragic insult to all human beings
Review: Where to begin? 4 blind yaks could've done a better job than this hideous, no-talent hack Chris Igham of "Metal Hammer" whatever the crap that is. I cannot believe that someone could actually earn money for this piece of garbage, let alone sucker a publisher!
To wit:
Blink 182??????Bloodhound Gang????Bush????The Queers????
Silverchair????Tura Satana????Zebrahead????
I won't go on about the sad inclusions in this disgrace.
And, what of the litany of mistakes? Just one sad example:Deep Purple. Ritchie Blackmore joined Elf, which became Rainbow? Ummm, Blackmore quit Purple and made Rainbow, originally a solo project a full-time band as he asked Ronnie James Dio to sing. Dio would only do so if his bandmates in Elf could join, and after the first Rainbow album Blackmore sacked them all anyway except for Dio. Deep Purple disbanded in 1984? Try 1976, and then they REFORMED in 1984! Their final ambum was "Perfect Strangers"? No, it was their REUNION album! And, they've been together ever since. The "Classic" line-up was Coverdale, Blackmore, Lord, Paice and Glover? Glover never played with Coverdale-and the "Classic" line-up would involve Gillan not Coverdale, though Coverdale was great.
This is just one example of the garbage that this book is. It's not even worthy of dog poop. I'm glad I only spent $6.99 on it, but I still feel robbed!!!!!