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A History of Heavy Metal

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About this listen

Based on the "absolutely hilarious" (Neil Gaiman) stand-up show.

The history of heavy metal brings us extraordinary stories of larger-than-life characters living to excess, from the household names of Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Iron Maiden and Metallica to the brutal notoriety of the underground Norwegian black metal scene and the New Wave of British heavy metal.

It is the story of a worldwide network of rabid fans escaping everyday mundanity through music, of cutthroat corporate arseholes ripping off those fans and the bands they worship to line their pockets. The expansive pantheon of heavy metal musicians includes junkies, Satanists and murderers, born-again Christians and teetotallers, stadium-touring billionaires and toilet-circuit journeymen.

Award-winning comedian and lifelong heavy metal obsessive Andrew O'Neill has performed his History of Heavy Metal comedy show to a huge range of audiences, from the teenage metalheads of Download festival to the broadsheet-reading theatregoers of the Edinburgh Fringe. Now, in his first book, he takes us on his own very personal and hilarious journey through the history of the music, the subculture and the characters who shaped this most misunderstood genre of music.

©2017 Andrew O'Neill (P)2017 Headline Audiobooks Music Performing Arts Comedy Celebrity Witty Funny Thought-Provoking
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Andrew O'Neill is an excellent comic and evidently a great writer too. I loved the live show when I saw it a few years ago so I'm very happy that this massively expanded version exists.
I found it difficult to stop listening to it when I had to sleep or go for a shower or talk to people. I've finished it now but have a head full of smashing recommendations to keep me busy for ages and ages and I'll probably just put it on again tonight.
I don't expect I can swear here even though swearing is great and clever, so I shall finish by saying that I enjoyed the darn heck out of this book. Ten out of ten supportive death metal parents.

Yes.

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A comprehensive and very entertaining waltz though the far reaching world of heavy metal. Andrew's commentary is a joy.

Loved it

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Really really enjoyable take on the subject of Heavy Metal! Thoroughly recommended listening. HEAVY METAL!!

Awesome stuff!

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I loved listening to this book, being a heavy metal fan since the 1970's and over many recent years, a fan of extreme metal and death gospel, this was entertaining as well as insightful.

A good romp through my favourite genre of music.

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I only dabble in the shallows of the Metal genre, but I really enjoyed this concise musical history and the many decent jokes scattered throughout (sit down Lars!).

However, I feel the lack of attention on Iron Maiden is simply shocking. Especially considering their legacy, impact on popular culture and long-term influence. I feel a revised edition is required, with much more Maiden.

The author’s own bias shines through in most chapters, which is understandable, given his obvious passion for the subject matter. But it can get a bit too granular at times.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it and actually found myself disappointed when it ended.

Entertaining and insightful overview of Metal.

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