BOOK - BLACK METAL: EVOLUTION OF THE CULT

BOOK - 600 PAGES - Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult features over one hundred exclusive new and archival interviews with the genre's most central figures. It is the most comprehensive guide yet to this fascinating and controversial form of extreme metal. It is encyclopaedic in length and breadth. From the early 1980s pioneers to its fiery rebirth in Scandinavia through to today's increasingly diverse groups, this epic tome captures the movement's development in unparalleled detail and images through such bands and personalities as Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Behemoth, Tormentor, Emperor, Darkthrone, Samael, Gorgoroth, and many dozens of others. Increasingly influential, black metal continues to grow and expand as a musical form as well as the subject of serious and satirical, animated, documentary, and narrative feature films. Publisher Feral House has already published the most famous and award-winning book about this subculture, Lords of Chaos, soon to become a narrative feature film directed by Jonas Ackerlund, an ex-black metal musician who has directed feature films and award-wining videos for the likes of Madonna and Lady Gaga.

“There are already some superlative books published on black metal… But none have documented the genre so comprehensively, with such detail.” Decibel Magazine

An epic 500+ page tome exploring the history and development of black metal from its beginnings in the early 1980s to the present day. Featuring dozens of interviews with and material from the most significant protagonists, integral bands, iconic photographers and hangers-on of the time. The book also includes a wealth of previously unpublished images.

Has Black Metal, in all its current interpretations, finally breached the mainstream with its inclusion in Goldfrapp videos, cross-globe exposure, cumulating in televised parodies?

Despite a history of association with and blatant demonstration of criminal activity, black metal has become Norway’s biggest cultural export, earning it support from the government itself.

Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult examines the artistic, musical, and spiritual development of this controversial genre. Included are interviews with nearly every contributor to the genre:

Venom • Mercyful Fate • Bathory • Hellhammer • Celtic Frost • Sodom • Slayer • Kreator • Destruction • Vulcano • Sarcofago • Blasphemy • Samael • Rotting Christ • Necromantia • VON • Tormentor • Master’s Hammer • Beherit • Mayhem • Vomit • Thorns • Darkthrone • Burzum • Thou Shalt Suffer • Emperor • Gehenna • Gorgoroth • Trelldom • Cradle of Filth • Dimmu Borgir • Mütiilation • Vlad Tepes • Belketre and the Black Legions • Dissection • Watain • Marduk and Funeral Mist • Shining • Graveland • Infernum • Behemoth  • Enslaved • Satryricon • Isengard/Storm • Ulver • Windir • Negura Bunget • Hades • Primordial • Arcturus • Manes • In the Woods • Ved Buens Ende • Fleurety • Sigh • Dødheimsgard • Mysticum • Aborym • Blacklodge • Amesoeurs/Alcest • Fen • Wolves in the Throne Room

Dayal Patterson has been following the black metal scene since the mid-1990s and writes and photographs for Metal Hammer and Record Collector magazines, and also contributes to The Quietus, Terrorizer and Classic Rock Presents, as well as writing biographies and liner notes for Marduk and Killing Joke.