If you were a teenager or twenty-something in the 1980s and into the early 90s and you were a heavy metal fan than this book is probably for you. Seb Hunter does a good job of not only describing the different genres of metal including giving examples of the bands that went with each genre. Sprinkled in between these descriptions are Hunter's personal stories of his life growing up as a metalhead including his influences for the various bands that he helped start and/or joined throughout his teenage years and into his twenties. About midway through the book Hunter's stories take center stage and in my opinion the descriptions of what was going on in the metal world during the time period took away from the actual personal stories that Hunter was sharing. Overall, Hunter's stories were at times funny and at times uncomfortable but they were always entertaining.
Tom Carlson (tomcarlson) - , reviewed Hell Bent for Leather : Confessions of a Heavy Metal Addict on + 25 more book reviews
There are two sides to this book, and it lives and dies by those two sides. Half of the book is an examination of Heavy Metal and its role in the author's childhood. This half is pure genius. It jacks directly into so many of my childhood memories. Funny yet insightful, it would have made a great book on its own.
The other half details the travails of the author's hair metal band. It's mildly interesting, but pales next to the first half.
So, in the end, you're left with a book that's good, but could have been so much better.
The other half details the travails of the author's hair metal band. It's mildly interesting, but pales next to the first half.
So, in the end, you're left with a book that's good, but could have been so much better.
Damaris C. (Erinyes) reviewed Hell Bent for Leather : Confessions of a Heavy Metal Addict on + 279 more book reviews
This book chronicles one young fans brush with metal in some early formative years and how he used that to try to launch himself into rock and roll excess.
To me it is more like a finding yourself story. When you were a pre-teen and then a teenager you think you are the only one in the world that can REALLY see things. And you usually find something to believe passionately in. Something that no damn adult will notice. And you just KNOW how cool and life changing it really REALLY is. And then you kind of grow up and break out of the mindset and learn to live.
It's a fun story of that particular journey with a lot of hairspray and some well meaning if especially hideous lyrical content.
I was a heavy metal handmaiden (as I so confidentely referred to myself argh) back in the good old 80s when spandex and hairspray were king. I saw alot of myself in what Seb is talking about.
This is definitely a top notch memoir that is easily read and very easy to relate to.
Great stuff.
To me it is more like a finding yourself story. When you were a pre-teen and then a teenager you think you are the only one in the world that can REALLY see things. And you usually find something to believe passionately in. Something that no damn adult will notice. And you just KNOW how cool and life changing it really REALLY is. And then you kind of grow up and break out of the mindset and learn to live.
It's a fun story of that particular journey with a lot of hairspray and some well meaning if especially hideous lyrical content.
I was a heavy metal handmaiden (as I so confidentely referred to myself argh) back in the good old 80s when spandex and hairspray were king. I saw alot of myself in what Seb is talking about.
This is definitely a top notch memoir that is easily read and very easy to relate to.
Great stuff.
Awesome Metalhead Wisdom!
