Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal

The definitive oral history of heavy metal music, Louder Than Hell by renowned music journalists Jon Wiederhorn and Katherine Turman includes hundreds of uncensored interviews with the giants of the movement, conducted over the past 25 years.

Unlike many forms of popular music, metalheads tend to embrace their favorite bands and follow them over decades. Metal is not only a pastime for the true aficionados; it’s a lifestyle and obsession that permeates every aspect of their being. A must-read piece of music history, Louder Than Hell is an examination of that cultural phenomenon and the much-maligned genre of music that has stood the test of time.

This definitive rock biography, Louder than Hell , features more than 250 interviews with some of the biggest bands in metal, including Black Sabbath, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Spinal Tap, Pantera, White Zombie, Slipknot, and Twisted Sister; insights from industry insiders, family members, friends, scenesters, groupies, and journalists; and 48 pages of full-color photographs.

This is the story of metal in the words of the icons who lived it:

Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll: Uncensored stories from the tour bus, the studio, and the hotel room with bands like Led Zeppelin, Mötley Crüe, and Pantera. The Birth of Subgenres: Trace the evolution of thrash, death, black, and glam metal through firsthand accounts from pioneers like Slayer, Black Sabbath, and Twisted Sister. Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Go beyond the music with insights from industry insiders, family members, friends, and the groupies who saw it all. Band Rivalries and Alliances: Read the real stories of bitter feuds and surprising friendships, from Ozzy’s split with Sabbath to the rise of Metallica. Rare Photographs: Features 48 pages of full-color photographs, many never before seen, capturing metal’s most iconic moments.