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Birth School Metallica Death - Vol I (2013)

by Paul Brannigan(Favorite Author)

3.73 of 5 Votes: 1

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Faber & Faber Rock Music

review 1: "Birth School Mtallica Death" is a chronicle of the meager beginnings to the meteoric rise of the superstar metal band Metallica.The book shows the complexities of a band most people might consider very low brow or basic. For instance, Metallica has long been regaled as being "true to their fans" Ironically, the interesting thing is Metallica was never "for the fans." As the author states, Metallica never made the music for the fans. Metallica made their music for Metallica. As the books shows, Metallica didn't so much go to the fans and relate to the them. It was much more the opposite. But, through clever marketing and a loyal fan base they were able to succeed with the moniker of a "band of the people". This is just one of the revelations in the book. In many regar... moreds, this book could also be categorized as a psychologists handbook. The many interwoven and complex relationships, and the cold hearted nature that made Metallica a success is written about in great detail. How some members of Metallica, namely the "leaders" of the band, could ruthlessly boot members from the band or carry on after the loss of a band member is eye opening. The book also shows how business is business and personal relationships need not get in the way. The title, "Birth School Metallica Death", was taken from a slogan printed across one of their concert t-shirts, from a time when they were not the mega band they would become. The book follows their ascent, with all of the obstacles and roadblocks along the way. The brazen slogan used for this book is indicative of the egos and control freaks that were Metallica, at least the two head figures of the band. This is one reason why the book is not just for the uber Metallica fan. Beyond showing how the band grew as a metal gods, the book also describes the growing thrash/metal scene in America and how Metallica, at least at first, tried to distance themselves from the mainstream and cultivated their own audience. Metallica was the "anti glam" metal band and they owned that label proudly. The book also shows how that label was shed as Lars, the main "p.r." member of the band did his best to market the band and make them the commercial success they have become. The book also spends a great deal of time describing the personalities of the band and how these personalities often clashed or isolated some of the band members. Of particular focus is how the band dealt with the passing of the original bassist, Cliff Burton and how their relationship with his replacement, Jason Newsted, was uneasy at best. Overall, this was a very interesting and entertaining book. I can't wait for the second volume due out in fall of this year.
review 2: Birth School Metallica Death: The Biography Vol. 1 Written by former Kerrang! Editor Paul Brannigan and British rock journalist Ian Winwood is an in-depth look at arguable one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. The first in a two part series Vol.1 documents from the bands inception in 1981 up through 1991 and the release of the groups ground breaking “Black” album. “Birth School Metallica Death: The Biography Vol. 1” is being released via Da Capo Press and features 378 pages along with 8 pages of photos. less

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