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Birth School Metallica Death, Volume 1 cover art

Birth School Metallica Death, Volume 1

Written by: Paul Brannigan, Ian Winwood
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's Summary

A landmark release, this is the first of a two-volume biography of Metallica, the biggest metal band of all time, told via exclusive interviews with the band and their world.

The California quartet has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, won nine Grammy Awards, and had five consecutive albums hit number one on the US Billboard chart. Theirs is a tale about much more than sales figures and critical acclaim, though, and their journey from scuzzy Los Angeles garages to the world's most storied stadiums has been dramatic and painful.

Birth School Metallica Death is the definitive story of the most significant rock band since Led Zeppelin. It's a story about family, community, self-belief, and the pursuit of dreams, which unfolds through firsthand interviews with the band and those closest to it. In this epic saga, deserving of a broad canvas, the first volume details the band's rise to international fame while the second explores the challenges and tensions that accompany such status. Piece by piece, Paul Brannigan and Ian Winwood reveal just how Metallica has stayed ahead of the competition for so many years.

©2013 Paul Brannigan, Ian Winwood (P)2013 Blackstone

What listeners say about Birth School Metallica Death, Volume 1

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Magnificent Metallica

A Great audiobook on Metallica, and a 0great narrator. Now time to listen to Part 2.

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Everything That I Was Looking For

I didn't feel like I needed to read part two of the biography after consuming this installment. Volume I covers the elements of Metallica history that I was most interested in: NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal)-fanboy teenagers forming the band based almost solely on Lars Ulrich's rockstar dream/force of will; the hiring & expulsion of Dave Mustaine; early studio recordings & tours; and the death of Cliff Burton and hiring of Jason Newsted.
The information-packed book follows a clear chronological path - from obscurity to stardom - peppered with illuminating anecdotes and stories from the road. It's a bit unoriginal (don't expect anything you haven't seen before), but this is an exemplary biography.

That said, I have to admit that the writing isn't great. To be certain, 'Kerrang' magazine alumni Paul Brannigan (editor) and Ian Winwood (journalist) produce a very readable book (with impressive vocabulary/prose) - but 'Birth School Metallica Death' reads like a series of cookie-cutter music critic reviews at times, a collection of quotations at others.. and an exceedingly verbose document overall. The polished, wordsmithed presentation doesn't really fit the raw, gritty subject material.

Fortunately, Ray Porter turns in an excellent performance reading the book (this iteration is doubtless better than a text version would be). Porter's choice to try impressions of the various personalities quoted is occasionally questionable.. but his accents sound natural, his timbre/cadence/tone are professional, and his diction is unsurpassed.

Altogether, I am grateful to Audible for offering this audiobook for "free" (included with my subscription).. because the 9/10 star recording would actually rate a Credit for any fan of the band.

[Incidentally: Chicoutimi, Quebec pronounced "CHI-koo-TEE-mee" is hilarious)

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Leaves you wanting more (in a good way)

this was really well written. I couldn't stop listening. I highly recommend to anyone who love heavy music or any type of musician trying to make it. you really get a sense of the hard work Metallica out in to get exposure for themselves. they created their own demand.

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