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A History of Heavy Metal

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A History of Heavy Metal

By: Andrew O'Neill
Narrated by: Andrew O'Neill
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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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All stars
Most relevant  
It's highly informative. I've been a metalhead all my life, but listening to this book made me realise that I was missing out on so many bands and genres. Whenever he mentioned a band or genre that I was unfamiliar with, I paused the book, went onto Spotify, and gave them a listen. I've discovered so many awesome bands reading this book and my music listening has been very much enriched. It's also bloody funny, so I discovered an awesome comedian too. As some of the other commenters have noted, you'll find equal parts fact and opinion. I don't agree with all of his opinions -- he loves Thrash and Black Metal, and to be honest I don't -- but his deeply negative attitude towards Glam and Nu Metal is something I very much associate with. But if you like those genres, then just don't take his opinions personally -- they're JUST his opinions. You'll still learn about these genres' histories and the influences that formed them. For example, I got the sense that he finds Progressive Metal pretentious. I love Prog and I don't agree with him, but my feelings weren't hurt -- it's JUST his opinion. Because of my love of Prog, I was delighted to discover Post Metal, which he talks about towards the end of the book. Overall, I couldn't stop listening and I was genuinely sad when it ended. Excellent book!

Excellent!

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Read by the author who has a personal love of the music. SIT DOWN LARS!

Informative, entertaining and very funny

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I’ve never much liked heavy metal but I bloody loved this book. Buy it and enjoy

Fascinating and witty

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none, flawless book. it holds up as a comedy and a informative point of reference

humour and a point of view both relatable and in the thick of it.

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Been a metal fan since I was 13, performed in bands and travelled playing gigs all over however I never really got involved with the side story to metal. I never read up on the politics or the reviews, making my own decision when i listened to the band.
Although I disagree with some of his thoughts (megadeth are awesome :-) I LOVED this book. It brought back memories, educated me and had me literally LOLing
I highly recommend this book

QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST BOOK EVER

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Loved this audio book, so many funny things in it that any metal head will find amusing. Was also great to hear my good friends in the band Cancer get a mention at the end too. Nice one Andrew O'Neil, I look forward to more like this.

Hilarious audio book, a must for any metalheads.

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Andrew's insight into the vast and forever widening history of heavy metal is engaging and demonstrate that heavy metal as a genre has built its self to weather any and all storms that come its way.I will admit that a don't agree with ever opinion in this book especially the ones about glam/ nu metal but other than that its alright.

Its alright.

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Great book, hilariously read by the author. This is essential reading for all metalheads and though you may not agree with all his opinions or taste in bands, the facts and history are a solid narrative that all metallers should know about. Also, he keeps mentioning Panopticon, so check them out. Kentucky is a great album. Fuck Whitesnake.

Essential for metalheads

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Andrew says he is pursuasive in the introduction and by guiding me on a journey from bands I always loved (Sabbath, Zeplin, Motorhead) has shown me I dig bands and even genres I had no Idea I would. I bought the book over a year ago and list it so gave it a listen on here which has the added bonus of Andrews performance.

Brilliant stuff

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All in all a good history and funny in places. Opinionated throughout but it is metal after all :)

Good

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