This exciting history, featuring an introduction by famed DJ John Peel, tells the two-decade-long history of grindcore and death metal through the ...
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Feb 18, 2011
Desiccatedveins
rated it: 
Hard to give a rating to this one. Some of the interviews, especially the stuff with the guys from Siege and the engineer who did their sessions, have some really interesting quotes and give some great insight into the early days of extreme metal. I'd probably give the first few chapters a 4/5. However, around chapter 4 or 5, the focus shifts drastically, and the remainder of the text plods along with an excruciatingly in-depth account of major label death metal shenanigans and a vomit-inducing
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Dec 16, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
A decidedly minor sub-genre of rock gets the mainstream treatment in "Choosing Death," a book whose lucid storytelling and good humor almost succeed in camouflaging the fact that its subject is bands obsessed with genocide, cruelty, violence and, well, death. This book was loaned to me by a friend who's the assistant concertmaster in the local symphony; I have another friend who's an executive at a non-profit who listens to the Liquid Metal XM channel; and I've recently met yet another
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Jan 19, 2011
Robert
rated it:
Albert Mudrian, Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore (Feral House, 2004)
It is, quite simply, impossible to go wrong with any book that begins with a teenaged Mick Harris meeting up with a teenaged Justin Broadrick while trolling their local record store in the early eighties for Throbbing Gristle albums. History was made in a little English town when the two of them, along with a couple of pals, formed a band that would ultimately be named Napalm Death, a More...
It is, quite simply, impossible to go wrong with any book that begins with a teenaged Mick Harris meeting up with a teenaged Justin Broadrick while trolling their local record store in the early eighties for Throbbing Gristle albums. History was made in a little English town when the two of them, along with a couple of pals, formed a band that would ultimately be named Napalm Death, a More...
Sep 01, 2008
Ryan
rated it: 
Readers may be surprised to find Mudrian tracing grind and death metal’s roots to Discharge and other political punk. I was surprised that so many early European death metal outfits had punk and hardcore as their starting points in the underground. One can imagine a different outcome, a future where death and extreme metal became political and community minded rather than misanthropic, gory, and often misogynist. Ah, well, and it isn’t a surprise that in the United States bands went for the sic
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May 21, 2008
John
rated it:
Here's the review on Choosing Death that I wrote for Amazon.com, namechecks and all. I seriously doubt any of my Goodreads friends whill EVER be inclined to read this book, but if you're looking to brush up on your extreme music trivia, look no further. Awesome (unintentionally hilarious) promo photos, too!
I bought Choosing Death last Christmas after seeing the quarter-page plug in the back of every issue of Decibel magazine (Decibel's editor-in-chief is Albert Mudrian, author of thi More...
I bought Choosing Death last Christmas after seeing the quarter-page plug in the back of every issue of Decibel magazine (Decibel's editor-in-chief is Albert Mudrian, author of thi More...
Jan 29, 2008
Guy
rated it:
Lang haar, zwarte kledij, gorgelzang, gebrek aan melodie, gebrek aan structuur, gebrek aan competentie, onbeluisterbaar lawaai, Satanisme, publiek dat bekogeld wordt met ingewanden. Het beeld dat de gemiddelde mens heeft van death metal (en het verwante grindcore, dat nauwer aansluit bij hardcore punk) is doorgaans ver verwijderd van een dagje Bobbejaanland (met of zonder Kim Clijsters). Natuurlijk zijn er een aantal dingen die gewoon kloppen (er was wel degelijk een fascistoïde dress code voor
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Dec 12, 2011
Bobby
rated it:
If you like death metal then you'll like the book. It contains some genre history, some interesting facts, and some occasionally illuminating quotes from some of the biggest bands in the early days of death metal. Napalm Death, Carcass, and Obituary feature heavily. Not nearly enough emphasis on the Swedish and Euro-death scenes but all together a decent overview of the scene in the late 80s and early 90s.
Aug 05, 2010
Heather
rated it: 
This is definitely one of those books that is written for fans, so unless you have an interest in metal to begin with or are currently working on your dissertation regarding youth/underground/extreme movements and the socio-economic/political ramifications of such movements, skip this one. However, even if you have just a passing interest in death metal this is required reading. this book isn't trying to change the world or pick apart the relevance of death metal and what it says about human nat
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Mar 02, 2011
Neil
rated it:
Didnt think much of this one. An indepth account for the first few chapters quickly drifts into a very disjointed coverage for the remainder, ignoring many artists that deserve mention. Their summing up of classic albums at the end seems to be based in personal bias rather than an overview of commonly considered classics. Weak.
Jan 03, 2009
Etan
rated it:
An excellent general history of the early days of death metal and grindcore, with some choice interviews with the founding fathers and exploration of forgotten architects. I only wish that it had an index for easier navigation, and delved deeper into the philosophy and social history of death metal.
Sep 22, 2010
Jukka
rated it:
My comments are about the finnish edition:
I would've liked it to have more references to scandinavian and especially finnish death metal of late 80's. It was also a bit too centered on U.S., european scene had a lot going on as well at the time.
I would've liked it to have more references to scandinavian and especially finnish death metal of late 80's. It was also a bit too centered on U.S., european scene had a lot going on as well at the time.
Aug 04, 2009
Scott
rated it:
Highly reccomended for anyone who is curious about the history of extreme music. I feel weird giving 5 stars to a music book (I mean, it's not like it changed the discourse on modern artistic expression or anything), but given the limited appeal of the subject matter at hand I don't see how the author couldn't have done much better. There are a few bands mentioned briefly that probably could have been left out all together, but that's nitpicking. Very well-researched, but yet written in a style
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Jan 31, 2010
Zachary
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Pretty good read if you're into aggressive music. Give the early history of the genres by focusing on certain bands, especially Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, and Death.
Feb 17, 2008
Pragmatic
rated it:
this book is exactly what it claims to be: a history of death metal and grindcore. there is little analysis or commentary, but it goes into great detail of who-did-what-when. it is illustrated throughout with band photos, posters, album artwork and other such pictures. there is a list of definitive albums & artists at the end.
i'd say this is a good read for any amateur musicologist!
i'd say this is a good read for any amateur musicologist!
Sep 22, 2008
Chris
rated it:
For anyone into the above listed genre's of music, this book tells it's history from start to present day without missing a step.
It's a who-did-what-when of metal's most extreme moments, given in chronological form from it's conception in England in the early 1980's to it's near-fatal downfall in the mid-1990's to it's rise to glory with the new millenium.
It's a who-did-what-when of metal's most extreme moments, given in chronological form from it's conception in England in the early 1980's to it's near-fatal downfall in the mid-1990's to it's rise to glory with the new millenium.
Dec 16, 2009
Alex
rated it:
this is fucking great. a history of grindcore and death metal, with tons of pictures, album info, interviews and everything. from the obscure to the extremely obscure, you can't pass this up, especially if you like napalm death, repulsion, terrorist, death, or about a hundred other key bands! UUUUUURRRRGH!
Feb 08, 2008
Daniel
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i found the history behind seminal grindcore bands such as Carcass and Napalm Death incredibly informative and endlessly interesting. better yet was going back and listening to the aforementioned bands and loving them more than ever. especially Carcass' Reek Of Putrefaction. brilliant!
Dec 16, 2009
Paul
rated it:
Extremely captivating history of death metal and grindcore. Should be an interesting read for anyone interested in fringe subcultures. Mundrian has a talent for making an interesting story out of any situation and delivers unknown facts to even the most seasoned metal veteran.
May 07, 2010
Davy
rated it: 
A miserable book--poorly written and carelessly slapped together. It reads like the 3rd rate liner notes of a 2nd rate label sampler. I finished it only because I was going through a metal phase and was devouring every relevant book in my path.
Feb 26, 2008
Christopher
rated it:
A rather trashy/easy read but filled with many interesting facts, great photos, and a nice "for further listening" section in the back. Probably more for the ardent fan than a casual listener, but hey, you never know.
Aug 30, 2007
Aaron the Pink Donut
rated it:
Well written and very informative. A good starter to the what and who of extreme metal/grind core. . The suggested listening album appendix is priceless for the new fan. must have for anyone interested in extreme metal!
Sep 14, 2007
Adam
rated it:
Ok history of death metal. The author focuses a little too much on Napalm Death and Earache records but overall provides enough relevant information to get the jist of it.
Jan 03, 2008
Todd
rated it:
Clears up some questions regarding origin, with plenty of nice pictures to boot, but lacks any depth beyond a tidy history of the two styles.
Jan 20, 2012
amine
rated it:
Interesting in the beginning, but soon turns into a Napalm Death worship, it got quite annoying at the end.
