lauustark's review against another edition

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3.0

Llegué a este libro gracias al podcast de Leyendas Legendarias. Si te interesa un estudio social sobre los acontecimientos del Black Metal, lo recomiendo.

swinelake's review against another edition

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5.0

Impeccably researched with excellent writing. Lords of Chaos is a fascinating, detailed dissection of black metallers from Norway who took pageantry and dark theatrical imagery as sanctioned legitimacy of all evils to the point of enacting brutal violence and espousing radical right wing beliefs. Though it seems too exhaustive at times, the end product is an entirely comprehensive journalistic undertaking into a movement that would otherwise be incomprehensible.

nissecore's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a dramatic read, but by the last couple of chapters I was so exhausted that I had to take a break and go donate to the Norwegian anti-racism center to calm down. It’s that kind of book.

mindsnare666's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

2.5

ciaranmurf's review against another edition

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2.25

A bit bloated and meandering. After the initial crimes and discussion of Norwegian black metal, it seems to lose focus.

misoli's review against another edition

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dark informative slow-paced

3.5

ipacho's review against another edition

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4.0

If you want to understand what to understand what real satanism is about, its many forms and thoughts, how it has influenced music and how it is received by youth subcultures, this is the book. It's an amazing voyage through music history, getting into one of the most extreme forms of music and thought, religious and political. Although I would have liked a more deep diving into the symbolism inside black metal, it shows enough to get a clear idea. Its big flaw is that the information is somewhat disorganized after the nicely done historical introduction, and with some interviews is really messy, but it's worth reading.

deadhighwaybooks's review against another edition

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1.0

Disgusting

I will start by saying I am an atheist and a metalhead. I don't believe in God or Satan whatsoever, so I had an open mind in the beginning. Let it be known that I do love my metal music, but I will chose carefully which black metal acts I support moving forward.

This book disturbed me on such a deep level. I thought I was going to be reading about the history of Black Metal, and it sort of was...but it turned into a racist, neo Nazi anthem and i'm almost embarrassed to say I've read this. What's worse is that the author seems to almost defend these views and concerns himself with proving how the media demonized heavy metal fans and musicians...these same musicians that commit unspeakable acts of murder...yet the author sets out to prove they're being persecuted by the media.

The beginning was what I expected. It touched down on the roots of death metal and springs into how black metal came to be and even touched down on the church burnings and Norwegian black metal history as it was. As if that wasn't depressing enough, we learn about murders committed by musicians in the genre. Interesting, I'll admit that. Depressing, but interesting. But as we start to learn more about the founders of Norwegian black metal, we start to hear about paganism and how closely tied it is with neo Nazism and rolls on about political b.s. up until the end.

Honestly, unless you want a history lesson on the biggest pieces of shit in black metal, do not waste your money. I'm kind of mad that I did and after powering through this book my heart hurts, a lot. There are some mentally deranged and sick people in this world and this book proves it. Metal or not.

My heart hurts. A lot.

foxeswithaxes's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

eenayde's review against another edition

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3.0

Nice pictures.