Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult

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Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult - The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Version
AuthorDayal Patterson
Cover artistDavid Thiérrée
CountryUnited Kingdom, United States
LanguageEnglish
GenreMusic
PublisherCult Never Dies (UK/EU), Decibel Books (North America)
Media typePrint
Pages500 (Cult Never Dies version), 800 (Decibel Books version)
ISBN978-1-915148-66-7
Preceded byBlack Metal: Evolution of the Cult (Feral House) - out of print 

Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult is a book by Dayal Patterson, a British author, music journalist and founder of publishing house, Cult Never Dies. The book was first published in 2013 by Feral House, with a new, updated and expanded version, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult - The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Version, published in 2023 by Cult Never Dies (and Decibel Books in North America in early 2024).[1][2][3]  

The book details the evolution of the black metal music genre from its roots, going as far back as the first Black Sabbath album, through proto black metal music from bands such as Hellhammer, the turbulent history of Norwegian black metal to black metal in different countries (such as UK, US, Brazil, Greece, Poland) and its evolution until today.[4][5][6]  

The 2023 version has 140,000 words of new content, totalling at 340,000. It features over 160 interviews with bands and protagonists of the black metal scene. While the content of the North American version published by Decibel Books is the same as the one published by Cult Never Dies, it varies slightly in size, layout and number of pages. It features interviews with bands such as Venom, Celtic Frost, Mercyful Fate, Behemoth, Rotting Christ, Sigh, Mayhem, Agalloch, Immortal, Destruction, Arcturus.[7] [8] [9]

Reception[edit]

The book is regarded as an important and well-documented account of the genre’s history by the heavy metal press and the artists that made up the genre. A Metal Injection review calls it a “go-to text for insights, interviews and heavily researched, trusted content”, while Record Collector Magazine described it as “a supremely detailed body of work, a true labour of love, and an interesting account of an often misunderstood genre”.[10][11] Whereas books such as Lords of Chaos sensationalised the controversy around black metal - the church burnings and murders - Patterson’s book focuses on the facts, music and first-hand accounts from the genre’s protagonists.[12][13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult (Extreme Metal)". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  2. ^ "Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult - The Restored, Extended & Definitive Edition". CULT NEVER DIES. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  3. ^ Halmstad, Bree (2024-01-05). "Book Review: Dayal Patterson's Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult (The Restored Expanded & Definitive Edition)". MetalSucks. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  4. ^ "Black Metal – Evolution Of The Cult Is Beyond Impressive". www.metaltalk.net. 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  5. ^ ""It was more run by idealism rather than good business sense": The…". Kerrang!. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  6. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Books | Exquisite Corpsepaint: The Strange Rebirth Of British Black Metal". The Quietus. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  7. ^ "Rock Culture #26: Few can discuss a music subgenre like Dayal Patterson". Rocking.gr. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  8. ^ P, J. (2023-12-02). "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult - The definitive black metal book OUT NOW". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  9. ^ Islander (2023-11-03). ""BLACK METAL: EVOLUTION OF THE CULT" - THE RESTORED, EXPANDED & DEFINITIVE EDITION". NO CLEAN SINGING. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  10. ^ Podoshen, Jeff (2024-01-03). "Book Review: DAYAL PATTERSON Black Metal - Evolution Of The Cult (The Restored, Expanded And Definitive Edition)". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  11. ^ Tucker, John. "Black Metal - Evolution of the Cult". Record Collector Magazine. No. 554 (February 2024). p. 105.
  12. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Books | Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult - Review And Interview". The Quietus. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  13. ^ "Black Metal – Evolution Of The Cult Is Beyond Impressive". www.metaltalk.net. 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-03-11.

External links[edit]