Review by Choice Review
During the last five decades, metal has come into its own as an academic subject. Over time, studies of the subject have adopted conventions about how to approach it, often focusing on the history of metal, especially in the West, or the values and customs of a particular community. The volume under review expands this tradition of metal criticism to address and question the development of these conventions and to explore metal in other places, such as Africa and the Middle East. Whereas several published books and articles have explored such topics, this collection situates more familiar historical, sociological, and cultural discussions among critical considerations of metal production, distribution, and reception, exposing connections between, for example, music, consumerism, identity, and community. Of the six parts into which this book is organized, part 3, "Metal and Identity," is particularly memorable for its discussions about how metal appreciation and practice intersects with trauma recovery, resistance, and belonging. A brief personal take from someone significant in metal prefaces each section, and these brief meditations reinforce a sense of vitality throughout the book. An invaluable contribution to metal studies. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. --Greg Matthews, Washington State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
