Album Rating: 3.5

Hawks, I've really been enjoying Lords of Chaos. There are a ton of interviews from members in the scene and they go into detail with professors in specialized areas concerning a lot of Varg's beliefs and their origins. Don't see anything sensationalized from what I'd already read bout the history- in fact the book and a lot of the insight from people in the scene are very forthcoming about the actual state of events happening at the time and it gives you multiple viewpoints for certain events. I'm about midway and I'm sucked in.

Album Rating: 3.5

'The Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult series of books is a good read'



I was actually just recommended that book and it's probably the next book on the subject that I'll read. It does have 600+ pages though and I usually prefer a lighter read than that. I am interested in Metalion's Slayer Mag Diaries though.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Evolution of the Cult is on my list, too. And of course since we're talking books I'll just remind everyone that Baphomet's Agony is a wonderful work of fiction and does pretty well in semi-parodying/semi-celebrating Mayhem.

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah the cover with the burning Church literally screams "SENSATIONALISM"



Read some reviews for Evolution of the Cult and it sounds awesome. Way more expensive than Lords of Chaos but I feel much more compelled to read Evolution than Lords

Album Rating: 3.5

'even the cover/blurb of Lords of Chaos looks pathetic, almost as if it were written by fox news'

lol that matters?

I guess I have no reason to really defend the book, but I've been enjoying it so far so the speculative criticism here seems pretty dumb to me. Evolution of the Cult does sound like it is probably more in depth, though so I can imagine it being a more attractive option for many.

Album Rating: 5.0

Read both and form your own opinion. LoC is not a bad book but it may anger you. Journalism is a better word for it than sensationalism.

Also you can better appreciate all the weird comments on goodreads.

Album Rating: 3.5

Oh, I'll be headed there shortly then. The last 50 or so pages have mostly been about Varg's upbringing and youth/teenage years and then his time in prison, his views on National Socialism as well as a short bit on Heathen culture, UFO's and Nazis. The content is way more broad than I expected. I was assuming I'd just get an in-depth account of Mayhem, Dead, Euronymous and Varg and maybe a bit on Faust. I got a way better perspective on Euronymous from the interviews and things than I did from my own research online when I was first getting into the history.

Album Rating: 4.5

"I've been enjoying it so far so the speculative criticism here seems pretty dumb to me"



That's fair enough, just thought I'd let you know to maybe take what's in the book with a grain of salt. Varg's got his own agenda but he does point out some interesting inconsistencies and downright strange inclusions. (Like the Nazi UFO thing...what?). There's just some stuff in there that if it was your first time getting a history of the scene might not stand out, but if you know better is not accurate. But if it's filled with interviews and stuff I'd hardly call it useless.

Album Rating: 3.5

Oh yeah, I take the whole thing with a grain of salt. I don't remember if the authors ever say as much, but I gathered real quick that they are mostly just giving you different accounts and perspectives from different people rather than painting a narrative for the reader.

I wouldn't even say its that great of a go-to for the actual history or accurate timeline of the genre, because it jumps around now and then, but I just enjoy the large amount of insight.

Album Rating: 4.5

Just read the reviews on Goodreads and that should help you make up your mind. I was in the same position but after reading the reviews of the different books I decided to order Evolution of the Cult. I'll probably do the same for Lords of Chaos when I feel like breaking my wallet again

Lords of Chaos is completely inessential when so many other books can give you a better, more detailed history written by various underground insiders, musicians and affiliates.

Not to mention Lords of Chaos has been called complete bullshit by most of the people involved in the underground scene at that time

Album Rating: 5.0

What's the best one to get? I've been wanting to get a book aabout the history of bm and all that good stuff.

Album Rating: 4.5

@Hawks Evolution of the Cult. Runner up seems to be Necrobutcher's The Death Archives although it leans more on Mayhem's side of things and is yet to have a US release

Album Rating: 5.0

Gonna check it out for sure. m/

Album Rating: 4.0

still satans as hard as ever.

Album Rating: 4.5

Harder, even

My most recommended is Metalion's Slayer Mag Diaries

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

just added that one to my wishlist.

Album Rating: 2.5

Might lower this