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Dark Days: A Memoir
Lamb of god vocalist D. Randall Blythe finally tells the whole incredible story of his arrest, incarceration, trial, and acquittal for manslaughter in the Czech Republic over the tragic and accidental death of a concertgoer in this riveting, gripping, biting, bold, and brave memoir.
On June 27, 2012, the long-running, hard-touring, and world-renowned metal band lamb of god landed in Prague for their first concert there in two years. Vocalist D. Randall "Randy" Blythe was looking forward to a few hours off--a rare break from the touring grind--in which to explore the elegant, old city. However, a surreal scenario worthy of Kafka began to play out at the airport as Blythe was detained, arrested for manslaughter, and taken to PankráPrison--a notorious 123-year-old institution where the Nazis' torture units had set up camp during the German occupation of then-Czechoslovakia, and where today hundreds of prisoners are housed, awaiting trial and serving sentences in claustrophobic, sweltering, nightmare-inducing conditions.
Two years prior, a 19-year-old fan died of injuries suffered at a lamb of god show in Prague, allegedly after being pushed off stage by Blythe, who had no vivid recollection of the incident. Stage-crashing and -diving being not uncommon occurrences, as any veteran of hard rock, metal, and punk shows knows, the concert that could have left him imprisoned for years was but a vague blur in Blythe's memory, just one of the hundreds of shows his band had performed over their decades-long career.
At the time of his arrest Blythe had been sober for nearly two years, having finally gained the upper hand over the alcoholism that nearly killed him. But here he faced a new kind of jailed in a foreign land and facing a prison sentence of up to ten years. Worst of all, a young man was dead, and Blythe was devastated for him and his family, even as the reality of his own situation began to close in behind PankráPrison's glowering walls of crumbling concrete and razor wire.
What transpired during Blythe's incarceration, trial, and eventual acquittal is a rock 'n' roll road story unlike any other, one that runs the gamut from tragedy to despair to hope and finally to redemption. While never losing sight of the sad gravity of his situation, Blythe relates the tale of his ordeal with one eye fixed firmly on the absurd (and at times bizarrely hilarious) circumstances he encountered along the way. Blythe is a natural storyteller and his voice drips with cutting humor, endearing empathy, and soulful insight. Much more than a tour diary or a prison memoir, Dark Days is D. Randall Blythe's own story about what went down--before, during, and after--told only as he can.
On June 27, 2012, the long-running, hard-touring, and world-renowned metal band lamb of god landed in Prague for their first concert there in two years. Vocalist D. Randall "Randy" Blythe was looking forward to a few hours off--a rare break from the touring grind--in which to explore the elegant, old city. However, a surreal scenario worthy of Kafka began to play out at the airport as Blythe was detained, arrested for manslaughter, and taken to PankráPrison--a notorious 123-year-old institution where the Nazis' torture units had set up camp during the German occupation of then-Czechoslovakia, and where today hundreds of prisoners are housed, awaiting trial and serving sentences in claustrophobic, sweltering, nightmare-inducing conditions.
Two years prior, a 19-year-old fan died of injuries suffered at a lamb of god show in Prague, allegedly after being pushed off stage by Blythe, who had no vivid recollection of the incident. Stage-crashing and -diving being not uncommon occurrences, as any veteran of hard rock, metal, and punk shows knows, the concert that could have left him imprisoned for years was but a vague blur in Blythe's memory, just one of the hundreds of shows his band had performed over their decades-long career.
At the time of his arrest Blythe had been sober for nearly two years, having finally gained the upper hand over the alcoholism that nearly killed him. But here he faced a new kind of jailed in a foreign land and facing a prison sentence of up to ten years. Worst of all, a young man was dead, and Blythe was devastated for him and his family, even as the reality of his own situation began to close in behind PankráPrison's glowering walls of crumbling concrete and razor wire.
What transpired during Blythe's incarceration, trial, and eventual acquittal is a rock 'n' roll road story unlike any other, one that runs the gamut from tragedy to despair to hope and finally to redemption. While never losing sight of the sad gravity of his situation, Blythe relates the tale of his ordeal with one eye fixed firmly on the absurd (and at times bizarrely hilarious) circumstances he encountered along the way. Blythe is a natural storyteller and his voice drips with cutting humor, endearing empathy, and soulful insight. Much more than a tour diary or a prison memoir, Dark Days is D. Randall Blythe's own story about what went down--before, during, and after--told only as he can.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2014
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December 11, 2018
I have a weakness for anyone who comes back from the Czech Republic with a fucked up tale to tell (it seems there are so many of us).
So, when I heard D. Randall Blythe on NPR discussing his surprise arrest when his flight landed in Prague, I downloaded his book immediately.
A death metal rocker getting cuffed at Ruzyně airport, being carted off to the notorious Pankrác prison, enduring the foreign world of the Czech legal system and emerging exonerated?
I had to read this dude's story.
I never expected the book to be good, but I was pleasantly surprised at just how entertaining it turned out to be. Blythe's experiences, his time in Pankrác, and his subsequent trial are undeniably interesting—and well-written—but what had me smiling were the small but revealing details:
--As Czech police arrest him, Blythe describes "spreading [his] feet apart automatically." With this one detail, we learn that Blythe has been arrested so many times that he literally knows the routine. (Love it).
--When a Czech police officer struggles to remove Blythe's handcuffs: "I honestly wanted to tell him to fetch me my wallet from the plastic bag across the room so I could get out my handcuff key and show him how to get these damn things off."
(Hilarious!)
--As Blythe discusses his tendency to "awful-ize" things, a simple but powerful description of anxiety emerges: "Within a matter of seconds, I can mentally chart a progression starting with me neglecting to cut my front lawn and ending in global nuclear catastrophe."
(Even more impressive than his descriptions of anxiety are the numerous ways in which Blythe stops himself and redirects his thoughts, especially in situations where most of us would be freaking out).
--Blythe discusses his past alcoholism and drug abuse at length, but I found a single sentence to be the most powerful part of that narrative--it was so powerful, in fact, that it convinced me that Blythe is likely an honest person, with a wholly realistic outlook on his sobriety: "I am not certain I will remain sober the rest of my life."
(That's it. Short and sweet. I appreciate Blythe's take on sobriety. It's rational, cold and honest. There's no bullshit. I like it).
--One of Blythe's prison guards whispers through a hatch in the door, "I am very sorry you are here! ... I saw you [play] at Rock-Am Park, I am a drummer, too! You must go home! We are all metal brothers!"
(I was touched by the sense of community that Blythe has through his music...and also took this as a hint that at least a few good things happened in prison).
As for the rest of the book? Surprisingly, it's very good.
This is a story that becomes increasingly unsettling, especially as Blythe's Kafka-esque nightmare begins to feel somehow familiar.
That déjà vu quality comes from Blythe's knack for touching on universal sentiments, even when telling his personal story.
Ultimately, Blythe's memoir captures the frustration and powerlessness of being in limbo in a foreign country--and it doesn't take being locked up in abroad to relate to Blythe. Anyone who's had things go awry in a foreign country will find Blythe's story familiar.
This is a book for anyone who's been stranded at a deserted station at 2AM, waiting for the train that never came; for anyone who has followed road signs to an attraction for hours, only to end up exactly where they started; for anyone whose wallet and documents were stolen on the day every Western Union office is closed for some obscure foreign holiday; for anyone who found themselves confused and frustrated by a country's inefficiency, and left feeling so alone and helpless that you're sure if you died, no one would bother to kick your maggot-infested corpse out of the way.
And while I enjoyed this book, keep a few warnings in mind before you commit to the $15 and the 500 pages:
--Blythe meanders a lot, tends to get preachy, and has a massive flair for drama. It gets tiresome quickly, and one begins to wonder why these sections (along with the numerous typos and grammatical errors) weren't cleaned up.
--Although you can't help but feel for Blythe, especially when it comes to the language barrier (Czech isn't exactly a language you can pick your way through by association--it feels designed to keep people out), there are way too many cheap shots at Czechs who don't speak English. UGH. Believe it or not, Randall, state employees in a tiny landlocked country in central Europe are not required to know English. Get over yourself, and see if you can get one of those gruff prison guards to teach you a few essential Czech words. And practice pronouncing the ř if you get bored.
--The book is too long, and at a certain point, the self-centeredness gets old--especially because there's very little action in the story. It would have helped if Blythe had discussed something outside his point of view: What was his band doing without him? How was his family holding up? Who was the young man who died at his concert? If you can't do that, you've got about 200 pages to slash from your memoir.
--Let's get real here. Blythe was in Pankrác for 35 days and wrote 500 pages about it. Consider that against a few other, similar memoirs. Amanda Knox endured 2 trials in Italy and went to prison for 4 yeas: her memoir is 329 pages. Ingrid Betancourt wrote a 544-page memoir, but she was held captive in the jungle for 6 years. (Her fellow captives were also held hostage for years, and none of their memoirs exceed 400 pages). And you're telling me that tough guy metal rocker was felled by 35 days in Pankrác in little ol' Praha? For real? As I read, a part of my brain kept screaming, "Oh come on, you big pussy! At least you weren't in Pankrác during World War II! At least you're not in prison in Pakistan!" Either way, there should be a new rule for locked-up-abroad memoirs: you get 100 pages per year; more if you were tortured. That's it.
I suppose I shouldn't complain. After all, Blythe did something the majority of us wouldn't do: after he was released from Pankrác and allowed to go back to the United States, he actually returned to Prague for his trial, and vowed to serve the 10 year-sentence he faced if he were convicted. Jesus.
So don't buy this book for a fucked up Prague story, because it's more than that. Instead, it's the story of a guy who had the balls to do the right thing.
Definitely worth reading...if you can stand the length.
4 stars because it got boring...and because my 500-page, 10 year-long fucked up Prague story is way better. :)
So, when I heard D. Randall Blythe on NPR discussing his surprise arrest when his flight landed in Prague, I downloaded his book immediately.
A death metal rocker getting cuffed at Ruzyně airport, being carted off to the notorious Pankrác prison, enduring the foreign world of the Czech legal system and emerging exonerated?
I had to read this dude's story.
I never expected the book to be good, but I was pleasantly surprised at just how entertaining it turned out to be. Blythe's experiences, his time in Pankrác, and his subsequent trial are undeniably interesting—and well-written—but what had me smiling were the small but revealing details:
--As Czech police arrest him, Blythe describes "spreading [his] feet apart automatically." With this one detail, we learn that Blythe has been arrested so many times that he literally knows the routine. (Love it).
--When a Czech police officer struggles to remove Blythe's handcuffs: "I honestly wanted to tell him to fetch me my wallet from the plastic bag across the room so I could get out my handcuff key and show him how to get these damn things off."
(Hilarious!)
--As Blythe discusses his tendency to "awful-ize" things, a simple but powerful description of anxiety emerges: "Within a matter of seconds, I can mentally chart a progression starting with me neglecting to cut my front lawn and ending in global nuclear catastrophe."
(Even more impressive than his descriptions of anxiety are the numerous ways in which Blythe stops himself and redirects his thoughts, especially in situations where most of us would be freaking out).
--Blythe discusses his past alcoholism and drug abuse at length, but I found a single sentence to be the most powerful part of that narrative--it was so powerful, in fact, that it convinced me that Blythe is likely an honest person, with a wholly realistic outlook on his sobriety: "I am not certain I will remain sober the rest of my life."
(That's it. Short and sweet. I appreciate Blythe's take on sobriety. It's rational, cold and honest. There's no bullshit. I like it).
--One of Blythe's prison guards whispers through a hatch in the door, "I am very sorry you are here! ... I saw you [play] at Rock-Am Park, I am a drummer, too! You must go home! We are all metal brothers!"
(I was touched by the sense of community that Blythe has through his music...and also took this as a hint that at least a few good things happened in prison).
As for the rest of the book? Surprisingly, it's very good.
This is a story that becomes increasingly unsettling, especially as Blythe's Kafka-esque nightmare begins to feel somehow familiar.
That déjà vu quality comes from Blythe's knack for touching on universal sentiments, even when telling his personal story.
Ultimately, Blythe's memoir captures the frustration and powerlessness of being in limbo in a foreign country--and it doesn't take being locked up in abroad to relate to Blythe. Anyone who's had things go awry in a foreign country will find Blythe's story familiar.
This is a book for anyone who's been stranded at a deserted station at 2AM, waiting for the train that never came; for anyone who has followed road signs to an attraction for hours, only to end up exactly where they started; for anyone whose wallet and documents were stolen on the day every Western Union office is closed for some obscure foreign holiday; for anyone who found themselves confused and frustrated by a country's inefficiency, and left feeling so alone and helpless that you're sure if you died, no one would bother to kick your maggot-infested corpse out of the way.
And while I enjoyed this book, keep a few warnings in mind before you commit to the $15 and the 500 pages:
--Blythe meanders a lot, tends to get preachy, and has a massive flair for drama. It gets tiresome quickly, and one begins to wonder why these sections (along with the numerous typos and grammatical errors) weren't cleaned up.
--Although you can't help but feel for Blythe, especially when it comes to the language barrier (Czech isn't exactly a language you can pick your way through by association--it feels designed to keep people out), there are way too many cheap shots at Czechs who don't speak English. UGH. Believe it or not, Randall, state employees in a tiny landlocked country in central Europe are not required to know English. Get over yourself, and see if you can get one of those gruff prison guards to teach you a few essential Czech words. And practice pronouncing the ř if you get bored.
--The book is too long, and at a certain point, the self-centeredness gets old--especially because there's very little action in the story. It would have helped if Blythe had discussed something outside his point of view: What was his band doing without him? How was his family holding up? Who was the young man who died at his concert? If you can't do that, you've got about 200 pages to slash from your memoir.
--Let's get real here. Blythe was in Pankrác for 35 days and wrote 500 pages about it. Consider that against a few other, similar memoirs. Amanda Knox endured 2 trials in Italy and went to prison for 4 yeas: her memoir is 329 pages. Ingrid Betancourt wrote a 544-page memoir, but she was held captive in the jungle for 6 years. (Her fellow captives were also held hostage for years, and none of their memoirs exceed 400 pages). And you're telling me that tough guy metal rocker was felled by 35 days in Pankrác in little ol' Praha? For real? As I read, a part of my brain kept screaming, "Oh come on, you big pussy! At least you weren't in Pankrác during World War II! At least you're not in prison in Pakistan!" Either way, there should be a new rule for locked-up-abroad memoirs: you get 100 pages per year; more if you were tortured. That's it.
I suppose I shouldn't complain. After all, Blythe did something the majority of us wouldn't do: after he was released from Pankrác and allowed to go back to the United States, he actually returned to Prague for his trial, and vowed to serve the 10 year-sentence he faced if he were convicted. Jesus.
So don't buy this book for a fucked up Prague story, because it's more than that. Instead, it's the story of a guy who had the balls to do the right thing.
Definitely worth reading...if you can stand the length.
4 stars because it got boring...and because my 500-page, 10 year-long fucked up Prague story is way better. :)
July 20, 2015
What a book, what a story. I always suspected that Randy Blythe had a rare way with words and was a pretty decent human being, but the wonderful writing in his story about his incarceration after the tragic death of a young heavy metal fan completely knocked me for six.
The description of his time in the horrific Ratsvac prison in Prague, where the Nazis had a war-time killing factory, makes for fabulous reading. He is a moderately well known rock star (even though he hates that term) cast adrift in an alien environment and accused of a crime that he doesn't even know if he has committed. Randy emerges from his imprisonment and trial with his integrity and humanity intact and a wonderful story to tell.
Not exclusively for metal heads or Lamb of God fans , this book reads like a modern day Midnight Express or Shawshank Redemption and it would be a truly heartless reader who didn't feel uplifted by reading it.
When Randy finally gives up screaming and leaping about in front of thousands of moshing music fans in huge arenas and rock festivals all over the world he will have a great second career as an author to look forward to. Highly recommended read.
The description of his time in the horrific Ratsvac prison in Prague, where the Nazis had a war-time killing factory, makes for fabulous reading. He is a moderately well known rock star (even though he hates that term) cast adrift in an alien environment and accused of a crime that he doesn't even know if he has committed. Randy emerges from his imprisonment and trial with his integrity and humanity intact and a wonderful story to tell.
Not exclusively for metal heads or Lamb of God fans , this book reads like a modern day Midnight Express or Shawshank Redemption and it would be a truly heartless reader who didn't feel uplifted by reading it.
When Randy finally gives up screaming and leaping about in front of thousands of moshing music fans in huge arenas and rock festivals all over the world he will have a great second career as an author to look forward to. Highly recommended read.
August 9, 2015
Please read my original and full review on my blog:
The Nerdy Book Addict
Wow. Just wow.. I have so much to say on this book. It was longer than most books that I have read so it took me a bit longer to read the whole thing and write my review on it. Prepare for a long one! So I am a HUUUUGE fan of Lamb of God. No joke. I have been a fan for years. I own all of their albums, I have tons of posters hanging on my walls, and a numerous amount of band t-shirts, I have even seen them live. I had followed and supported Randy in his whole ordeal with what had happened during one of his shows where he was falsely accused of manslaughter for pushing a fan offstage which ultimately ended in his death. So of course when I knew that he was writing a book about all of his ordeals with the situation, I just HAD to read it. This book came out not very long ago and I rushed to get it the day that the library had it available. This book has so much humor in just the right places as well as seriousness put together. I was hooked with just the first few sentences and was in major happiness mode knowing that I am reading a book that the singer from my favorite band had wrote. You can really see his voice, his personality in every single sentence in the book. He is very honest, speaks nothing but the truth. This is a very emotional book and had me laughing and in a certain part towards the end I had even cried. (which I will talk about a little later.) This book will have you laughing, and crying, and just sitting on the edge of your seat. When reading this book I have learned how selfless he is. I had never realized how amazing, thoughtful and caring this guy was until I read his book. I was just a regular fan who was all about their music, but now I am a fan who respects him and his decisions he made. I respect the whole band in sticking together through his situation as they were there for him no matter what. I definitely look up to him now as well as the rest of the band. Knowing what kind of guy he really is. This is a rare thing to find in people these days. This book is very inspiring. Randy gives great advice for people who are dealing with drug addictions, legal troubles, drinking problems or just plain out having a rough life. He also explains that it is not just about being a musician in a band to actually make a career out of it. It’s actually very hard work. You can’t just slap on the image and expect to become famous or to have success in the industry. Randy talks about touring, writing music, his life struggles, and the fact that he was being blamed for a crime he didn’t commit let alone remember some of the events that took place. He tells of his emotions of how one of his best friends from Slipknot had died. (I use to listen to this band back when I was starting High School but they changed their music style and sadly I am not impressed anymore.) Paul Gray had died the same night of the incident where a fan was pushed off stage and had died. Randy has also toured with Dimmu Borgir (Another band that is definitely in my top three list.) When Randy was stuck in Pankrác Prison, Ozzy and Sharon Osborne had went out of their way to write him a character letter for the judge and had also said that they would host Ozzfest in Prague and have the judge choose where all the money earned from the concert would be donated to charity of his choosing. Randy wrote that he had been in the Ozzfest tour twice in 2004, and 2007. (I actually went to the 2007 one which was the “Free Fest.”) I actually saw them at a signing table in Arizona and screamed how awesome I think they are. Every single band member of Lamb of God smiled and acknowledged that they had heard me. Anyways, in the book Randy goes into great detail on the conditions of the prison that he had stayed in for well over a month and explained the histories of the prison and the country that was holding him there. He painted an absolute beautiful picture of the country and I could literally see it as if I was there. He mentioned how inmates in the prison when it was first opened were executed and that same room is now pretty historical and still has the original guillotine. In majority of the book he talks about the inmates that he had roomed with and how he tried communicating with them as they didn’t speak any English and made a few friends while he was incarcerated. So about the part of the book where I had cried... I had never known this but he had a daughter who unfortunately had passed away as soon as she was born of a heart defect. She was also born at 7 months which is very early. His feelings and how he talked about other parents going through this situation made me break down and cry. I have also experienced this as my one year old had passed away and was also a preemie. His feelings were exactly how I felt and how I feel to this very day. Him writing about this helped me know that I am not alone. I'm not the only parent who still grieves for their child years after they left this Earth. If I could I would thank him for sharing this very personal moment and helping me. Telling me that I am not alone in this and our children are always with us. He gave me hope and a feeling that there is someone there that is going through the same exact thing I am. Thank you so much Randy... This book is something you really should pick up and read. Even if you are not into this type of genre of music, this book has history, experiences surviving in a prison setting, and getting over hard addictions. I think that anyone would enjoy this book if they take the time to read it all the way to the end. I for one am not all all disappointed in the book and I recommend this book very highly.
The Nerdy Book Addict
Wow. Just wow.. I have so much to say on this book. It was longer than most books that I have read so it took me a bit longer to read the whole thing and write my review on it. Prepare for a long one! So I am a HUUUUGE fan of Lamb of God. No joke. I have been a fan for years. I own all of their albums, I have tons of posters hanging on my walls, and a numerous amount of band t-shirts, I have even seen them live. I had followed and supported Randy in his whole ordeal with what had happened during one of his shows where he was falsely accused of manslaughter for pushing a fan offstage which ultimately ended in his death. So of course when I knew that he was writing a book about all of his ordeals with the situation, I just HAD to read it. This book came out not very long ago and I rushed to get it the day that the library had it available. This book has so much humor in just the right places as well as seriousness put together. I was hooked with just the first few sentences and was in major happiness mode knowing that I am reading a book that the singer from my favorite band had wrote. You can really see his voice, his personality in every single sentence in the book. He is very honest, speaks nothing but the truth. This is a very emotional book and had me laughing and in a certain part towards the end I had even cried. (which I will talk about a little later.) This book will have you laughing, and crying, and just sitting on the edge of your seat. When reading this book I have learned how selfless he is. I had never realized how amazing, thoughtful and caring this guy was until I read his book. I was just a regular fan who was all about their music, but now I am a fan who respects him and his decisions he made. I respect the whole band in sticking together through his situation as they were there for him no matter what. I definitely look up to him now as well as the rest of the band. Knowing what kind of guy he really is. This is a rare thing to find in people these days. This book is very inspiring. Randy gives great advice for people who are dealing with drug addictions, legal troubles, drinking problems or just plain out having a rough life. He also explains that it is not just about being a musician in a band to actually make a career out of it. It’s actually very hard work. You can’t just slap on the image and expect to become famous or to have success in the industry. Randy talks about touring, writing music, his life struggles, and the fact that he was being blamed for a crime he didn’t commit let alone remember some of the events that took place. He tells of his emotions of how one of his best friends from Slipknot had died. (I use to listen to this band back when I was starting High School but they changed their music style and sadly I am not impressed anymore.) Paul Gray had died the same night of the incident where a fan was pushed off stage and had died. Randy has also toured with Dimmu Borgir (Another band that is definitely in my top three list.) When Randy was stuck in Pankrác Prison, Ozzy and Sharon Osborne had went out of their way to write him a character letter for the judge and had also said that they would host Ozzfest in Prague and have the judge choose where all the money earned from the concert would be donated to charity of his choosing. Randy wrote that he had been in the Ozzfest tour twice in 2004, and 2007. (I actually went to the 2007 one which was the “Free Fest.”) I actually saw them at a signing table in Arizona and screamed how awesome I think they are. Every single band member of Lamb of God smiled and acknowledged that they had heard me. Anyways, in the book Randy goes into great detail on the conditions of the prison that he had stayed in for well over a month and explained the histories of the prison and the country that was holding him there. He painted an absolute beautiful picture of the country and I could literally see it as if I was there. He mentioned how inmates in the prison when it was first opened were executed and that same room is now pretty historical and still has the original guillotine. In majority of the book he talks about the inmates that he had roomed with and how he tried communicating with them as they didn’t speak any English and made a few friends while he was incarcerated. So about the part of the book where I had cried... I had never known this but he had a daughter who unfortunately had passed away as soon as she was born of a heart defect. She was also born at 7 months which is very early. His feelings and how he talked about other parents going through this situation made me break down and cry. I have also experienced this as my one year old had passed away and was also a preemie. His feelings were exactly how I felt and how I feel to this very day. Him writing about this helped me know that I am not alone. I'm not the only parent who still grieves for their child years after they left this Earth. If I could I would thank him for sharing this very personal moment and helping me. Telling me that I am not alone in this and our children are always with us. He gave me hope and a feeling that there is someone there that is going through the same exact thing I am. Thank you so much Randy... This book is something you really should pick up and read. Even if you are not into this type of genre of music, this book has history, experiences surviving in a prison setting, and getting over hard addictions. I think that anyone would enjoy this book if they take the time to read it all the way to the end. I for one am not all all disappointed in the book and I recommend this book very highly.
September 18, 2015
One of the best memoirs I've ever read! You don't have to be a metal head or a fan of lamb of god to enjoy this book. Randy will take you on a wild ride through his experience and send you through a whole bunch of emotions. Randy's writing is outstanding and you feel as though if you are right beside him experiencing all these high and lows. He has a great outlook on life and I thoroughly enjoyed reading ever word on each page. Must read!! As I said you don't need to be a metal head or a fan! I enjoy a few songs of lamb of god and have seen them perform before but that's it!:) must read!!!
July 20, 2015
Added this to his proper author name, for a review.
4.5/5.
Dark Days had me laughing and crying, in different places.
I'm not normally a big fan of memoirs, but I am a fan of Blythe's. Reading Dark Days was a rare insight into a generally private individual's daily life in prison.
Blythe's voice is unique, witty, and sometimes downright silly. I enjoyed reading his personal reflection, shared in his confusion, was annoyed by Dorj, and cried during a brief chapter (16).
Side note: I particularly enjoyed "Tom Selleck" (the OG, of course)!
Speaking from a literary standpoint, he can sometimes jump from one tense to another without it being clear what time frame he is going back to. I like that it adds voice to the novel; almost like Blythe is having a conversation with you. However, it could sometimes be confusing to fast forward for a paragraph and then go back. It's difficult to pinpoint why this bothered me, but it did.
Thats the only reason I say 4.5/5 stars.
* I may edit this review later on a computer. This is a brief review from my phone & the battery is dying.
4.5/5.
Dark Days had me laughing and crying, in different places.
I'm not normally a big fan of memoirs, but I am a fan of Blythe's. Reading Dark Days was a rare insight into a generally private individual's daily life in prison.
Blythe's voice is unique, witty, and sometimes downright silly. I enjoyed reading his personal reflection, shared in his confusion, was annoyed by Dorj, and cried during a brief chapter (16).
Side note: I particularly enjoyed "Tom Selleck" (the OG, of course)!
Speaking from a literary standpoint, he can sometimes jump from one tense to another without it being clear what time frame he is going back to. I like that it adds voice to the novel; almost like Blythe is having a conversation with you. However, it could sometimes be confusing to fast forward for a paragraph and then go back. It's difficult to pinpoint why this bothered me, but it did.
Thats the only reason I say 4.5/5 stars.
* I may edit this review later on a computer. This is a brief review from my phone & the battery is dying.
July 17, 2015
This book made the hair on my arms stand up. After reading it, and being a huge fan of his work in photography, music and now in literature, I wish there was a way for me to thank him. Thought provoking and well written. He managed to transport me into feeling like I was there with him.
September 7, 2015
Whether you're a fan of the band, a metalhead, or neither, you should read this book. An amazing true story
September 5, 2016
Read this for a book club. Learned a lot about this guy and his experience. Not a book would have read otherwise. Took a bit to work through it but glad I did.
August 6, 2020
I listened to Lamb of God’s entire discography a few months ago, and they have since become a fixed presence on my commute playlist. Their groovy take on metalcore has the right amount of aggression to kick-start my day, as well as making me feel better after an angry one. Willie Adler, John Campbell, Mark Morton and Chris Adler (now replaced by Art Cruz) are all great musicians, but Randy Blythe’s rhythmically screamed vocals have hit the spot more often than not, which is why I’ve listened to them a lot and keep coming back to them.
So of course I had to read Blythe’s book. I’ve been following his Instagram page for a while too, and I knew he could write well just by reading his captions underneath his photos (often very long, but very deep). I was also already aware he was incarcerated for manslaughter in the Czech Republic and the trial that followed, but I had to read about the experience from the man himself.
While this book obviously details his incarceration and trial in Prague, it really is a memoir in disguise. Blythe is open and honest about his life, his mindset, his mistakes, and most of all with himself. He is open about what it’s like living as a heavy metal vocalist, the challenges behind it, and his own “tribulations and trials” as the subtitle states.
As for the experience, it’s fascinating how much he was able to remember from his time in prison, probably due to the journals he kept and his own knack for episodic memory. There are moments of sadness, anxiety and anger, but also a lot of hope, determination and humour (his tribulations with his cellmate Dorj made me laugh more often than not). He reflects and challenges himself to have a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) throughout, and eventually makes it through the titular dark days.
He is also clear that he feels morally responsible for the death of Daniel and that it’s a burden he will carry forever. This is really a reflection on how life can be unpredictable, and what we can do is be resolute and disciplined to make it through.
This made the whole book an inspirational read. I hope Blythe will keep writing in the future.
So of course I had to read Blythe’s book. I’ve been following his Instagram page for a while too, and I knew he could write well just by reading his captions underneath his photos (often very long, but very deep). I was also already aware he was incarcerated for manslaughter in the Czech Republic and the trial that followed, but I had to read about the experience from the man himself.
While this book obviously details his incarceration and trial in Prague, it really is a memoir in disguise. Blythe is open and honest about his life, his mindset, his mistakes, and most of all with himself. He is open about what it’s like living as a heavy metal vocalist, the challenges behind it, and his own “tribulations and trials” as the subtitle states.
As for the experience, it’s fascinating how much he was able to remember from his time in prison, probably due to the journals he kept and his own knack for episodic memory. There are moments of sadness, anxiety and anger, but also a lot of hope, determination and humour (his tribulations with his cellmate Dorj made me laugh more often than not). He reflects and challenges himself to have a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) throughout, and eventually makes it through the titular dark days.
He is also clear that he feels morally responsible for the death of Daniel and that it’s a burden he will carry forever. This is really a reflection on how life can be unpredictable, and what we can do is be resolute and disciplined to make it through.
This made the whole book an inspirational read. I hope Blythe will keep writing in the future.
April 13, 2021
In order to keep this review at a relatively short length and keep it from being an absolute gush fest, I will point out highlights that really grabbed me from this book and try to keep my thoughts cohesive. This will be a book I recommend to people for a long time whether they are aware of lamb of god, Randy Blythe, metal music, or none of it. In terms of prose, I found Blythe to be very natural, intelligent, and well-spoken. I found myself laughing at his light hearted nature as he experienced some of the most confusing and downright terrifying moments of his life. I found myself crying at the sad bits as well as the inspirational ones. In terms of story telling, I think Blythe does a great job at keeping the story on track even with side chapters, paragraphs, or few pages about sobriety or other personal tales. Never did I feel like he was rambling or writing about things that didn't necessarily need to be in the book. I've read plenty of music memoir books where the entire book turns into one preachy bible about sobriety or god or what have you and I am glad to say this is the opposite of that. Blythe is true to himself as he writes this tell all novel and reading it made my proud to be not only a fan of his band but a fan of him as a person. Again, I highly recommend this book to anyone and you don't need to know a single thing about lamb of god or Blythe before picking it up because by the end you'll know exactly the kind of man Blythe is. I wish this book was on audio for me to experience again and I do hope he writes more books in the future!
January 28, 2021
This was a sensational book.
Written by Randy Blythe, vocalist of Lamb of God, one of my favourite bands. Wrongly accused of man slaughter, arrested two years after the incident when arriving in Czech Republic. This is the story of his time spent in jail, and eventual trials. There are many humorous parts to this story, and some sad ones too. There are many many flaws to the Czech justice system and I won’t detail everything but this was a baffling story. Topped off with the prosecuting attorney FALLING ASLEEP every day in court during his trial.
Randy tells his story with dignity and remains true to what was ethically correct. Randy may have been cleared of all charges in the end but what really matters is that a fan lost his life during a series of preventable issues during a concert. Rest in peace Daniel
Written by Randy Blythe, vocalist of Lamb of God, one of my favourite bands. Wrongly accused of man slaughter, arrested two years after the incident when arriving in Czech Republic. This is the story of his time spent in jail, and eventual trials. There are many humorous parts to this story, and some sad ones too. There are many many flaws to the Czech justice system and I won’t detail everything but this was a baffling story. Topped off with the prosecuting attorney FALLING ASLEEP every day in court during his trial.
Randy tells his story with dignity and remains true to what was ethically correct. Randy may have been cleared of all charges in the end but what really matters is that a fan lost his life during a series of preventable issues during a concert. Rest in peace Daniel
November 13, 2017
Reasons I am Grateful that I read this book!
1. Dark Days is chock full of entertaining stories, at times humorous, at times tear jerking, but always thoughtful--some authors might need several volumes to achieve such affect.
2. Blythe's is a unique, and cool survivor story. (It was a Prague prison after all)
3. Blythe offers insights into a hard workin underground metal musician, who leads a successful band and what it takes to get (and remain) there.
4. Reawakened my interest in this type of music.
5. Will get tx for next time LoG plays near town.
6. Tell everyone I know about this awesome book. Metal head or not!
7. Reminds me of great life I have; loving family, decent job, time to pursue my own music.
8. Makes books and reading seem cool.
9. Addiction wisdom beyond his years, yet never heavy handed in delivery.
10. One of the top 5 music books I have read!
1. Dark Days is chock full of entertaining stories, at times humorous, at times tear jerking, but always thoughtful--some authors might need several volumes to achieve such affect.
2. Blythe's is a unique, and cool survivor story. (It was a Prague prison after all)
3. Blythe offers insights into a hard workin underground metal musician, who leads a successful band and what it takes to get (and remain) there.
4. Reawakened my interest in this type of music.
5. Will get tx for next time LoG plays near town.
6. Tell everyone I know about this awesome book. Metal head or not!
7. Reminds me of great life I have; loving family, decent job, time to pursue my own music.
8. Makes books and reading seem cool.
9. Addiction wisdom beyond his years, yet never heavy handed in delivery.
10. One of the top 5 music books I have read!
May 14, 2022
What a fantastic memoir. I am a Lamb of God fan and knew that the story this book tells had taken place, but had never known all the details. Randy recounts the events surrounding his arrest, imprisonment and trial for manslaughter in the Czech Republic in a way that is humble, often humorous and deeply moving.
If you like memoirs but aren't a heavy metal fan, I would still recommend you give this a read.
If you like memoirs but aren't a heavy metal fan, I would still recommend you give this a read.
March 23, 2023
Randy Blythe has always struck me as one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people in the metal scene, and this book only cemented that impression. It's a dark and frightening story, and he tells it with humor and candor, almost like he's in the room animatedly recounting it to you. From nick-naming the prison guards to describing how his cellmate drove him bonkers on a daily basis to ruminating on all of the what-ifs of his situation, it runs the full emotional gamut. Whether you're a metalhead or not, it's well worth a read \m/ >< \m/
October 29, 2017
Mostly boring. Didn't finish it
September 4, 2021
Love Lamb of God and love Randy Blythe. The book was great!
July 31, 2025
Profound and honest.
October 1, 2025
not a horrible book, just very slow!
December 5, 2022
I’m not a typical non-fiction reader. Some of it’s great, some of it’s middle of the road and some of it I have zero interest in. The biggest thing for me, is that I already know what’s happened. Obviously not all of the details, but I usually know the basics, the beginning middle and ending.
Such is the case with this novel.
I’m a huge Lamb of God fan – even have a LoG tattoo – and was fortunate enough to not only meet the band previously but did so while acting as part of their security team at a signing event in Vancouver at the former Scrape Records. I’ve seen them close to a dozen times and continue to spin their albums weekly. While I’m still partial to Ashes of the Wake as my fav LoG album, each one hits some fantastic musical places and for this metalhead, it’s always a good time
For those who are unaware – in 2011 (and I still remember how shocking it was) Lamb of God arrived in the Czech Republic to play a show, and their singer, one D. Randall Blythe was arrested for manslaughter. A year prior at a show, he’d pushed a stage crasher off the stage. The young man fell, hit his head on the concrete, and died a few months later.
I remember following this story as much as I could, wondering why Randy was still in jail, buying a ‘Free Randall Blythe’ wrist band to support his legal fees and after it was all said and done, watching the documentary that detailed the events.
This novel is a bit different, in that not only does it focus on Randall’s alcoholism and quest to get sober and stay sober, but also his time incarcerated and the behind the scenes look at his trail.
What I liked: Having already followed this case, I didn’t find anything that was ‘new’ or stand out for me. It was “enjoyable” (and I use that word loosely because, let’s face it, he was in prison) seeing his descriptions of events within the prison, the other inmates he befriended or met and the guards – both inept and kind.
Blythe has an easy way of writing, which works well for the darker moments but also the comedic spots and he’s been frequently labelled the nicest and most easy going front man out there, which really does shine here as he discusses doing what’s right and the ramifications this had on the victim’s family.
At times this was powerful and shows how fast things can go bad and get worse, but Randall handled it in stride and gave a really solid, straightforward perspective, which in a world of people who frequently get angered or enraged at the drop of a hat, was refreshing.
What I didn’t like: I found a lot of the prison scenes/chapters to be a lot. As in, unnecessary and plodding where it really takes you out of the pacing of some of the other scenes.
As well, if you already know what happens, you won’t really gain any new exciting insight to anything here, other than exactly what you’d expect being in prison would be like.
Why you should read this: If you’re a LoG completist or a metalhead fan and want to read this memoir, definitely dive in. If you’ve been a fan of the band for many years and read all the news stories and the interviews etc, you may want to pass. There’s some solid writing here and it is always great to see Randall’s calm approach to situations.
For this reader, it was good and I’m glad to have read it.
Such is the case with this novel.
I’m a huge Lamb of God fan – even have a LoG tattoo – and was fortunate enough to not only meet the band previously but did so while acting as part of their security team at a signing event in Vancouver at the former Scrape Records. I’ve seen them close to a dozen times and continue to spin their albums weekly. While I’m still partial to Ashes of the Wake as my fav LoG album, each one hits some fantastic musical places and for this metalhead, it’s always a good time
For those who are unaware – in 2011 (and I still remember how shocking it was) Lamb of God arrived in the Czech Republic to play a show, and their singer, one D. Randall Blythe was arrested for manslaughter. A year prior at a show, he’d pushed a stage crasher off the stage. The young man fell, hit his head on the concrete, and died a few months later.
I remember following this story as much as I could, wondering why Randy was still in jail, buying a ‘Free Randall Blythe’ wrist band to support his legal fees and after it was all said and done, watching the documentary that detailed the events.
This novel is a bit different, in that not only does it focus on Randall’s alcoholism and quest to get sober and stay sober, but also his time incarcerated and the behind the scenes look at his trail.
What I liked: Having already followed this case, I didn’t find anything that was ‘new’ or stand out for me. It was “enjoyable” (and I use that word loosely because, let’s face it, he was in prison) seeing his descriptions of events within the prison, the other inmates he befriended or met and the guards – both inept and kind.
Blythe has an easy way of writing, which works well for the darker moments but also the comedic spots and he’s been frequently labelled the nicest and most easy going front man out there, which really does shine here as he discusses doing what’s right and the ramifications this had on the victim’s family.
At times this was powerful and shows how fast things can go bad and get worse, but Randall handled it in stride and gave a really solid, straightforward perspective, which in a world of people who frequently get angered or enraged at the drop of a hat, was refreshing.
What I didn’t like: I found a lot of the prison scenes/chapters to be a lot. As in, unnecessary and plodding where it really takes you out of the pacing of some of the other scenes.
As well, if you already know what happens, you won’t really gain any new exciting insight to anything here, other than exactly what you’d expect being in prison would be like.
Why you should read this: If you’re a LoG completist or a metalhead fan and want to read this memoir, definitely dive in. If you’ve been a fan of the band for many years and read all the news stories and the interviews etc, you may want to pass. There’s some solid writing here and it is always great to see Randall’s calm approach to situations.
For this reader, it was good and I’m glad to have read it.
November 29, 2015
Absolutely fucking amazing. And it is not only for metal heads, nor is it a book about metal music.
In this memoir, the American writer and musician Randall Blythe first spends a chapter and two to explain who he is and what he does, because as famous as he is in the metal community as the vocalist of the band lamb of god, he is still very unknown to those who do not listen to metal music. Blythe then proceeds to narrate his fiction-like real story about how he was wrongly charged of manslaughter in a foreign country where his band performed, about his eventful and unpleasant experience and the people he met in Czech's most infamous prison, Pankrác, and about what happened during his trial.
I am extremely surprised and glad how good Blythe's writing is--I have known that he is a photographer and he is an "artsy" person despite the fact that he screams in a metal band as his career, but I did not expect this level of authorship. I am very proud that in the metal community we have such a great writer. The way Blythe writes somehow resonates with me very well; having seen many interviews of Blythe, I noticed that the way he writes is exactly how he speaks. Therefore, when I was reading the book, it was as if Blythe was telling me the story in my head, and that feeling was very vivid. It was like Blythe was me, I was Blythe, and I was with him side by side as he went through his ordeal.
One thing that I really appreciated was that although Blythe believed that he was innocent, he still writes in a very unbiased way. It did not sound like Blythe was trying to defend himself for his reputation (it did damaged his reputation a bit) at all. Instead, there were times when he had doubt about his innocence, because he did not clearly remember what happened--it was two years ago, and he had played plenty of gigs after that. Even though facing ten years of jail, and having the chance to ignore the case by not going back to Czech, Blythe chose to return to Czech to face the trial, so as to make sure everyone have an explanation.
When I finished reading the book, I exhaled, "Wow! Did this actually happen?" It was as though I was just reading a fictional story.
Blythe writes with his heart, not his hands. I recommend this book to anyone!
PS. I really hope more people will read this memoir, because this work from Blythe definite deserves more attention from the literary field.
In this memoir, the American writer and musician Randall Blythe first spends a chapter and two to explain who he is and what he does, because as famous as he is in the metal community as the vocalist of the band lamb of god, he is still very unknown to those who do not listen to metal music. Blythe then proceeds to narrate his fiction-like real story about how he was wrongly charged of manslaughter in a foreign country where his band performed, about his eventful and unpleasant experience and the people he met in Czech's most infamous prison, Pankrác, and about what happened during his trial.
I am extremely surprised and glad how good Blythe's writing is--I have known that he is a photographer and he is an "artsy" person despite the fact that he screams in a metal band as his career, but I did not expect this level of authorship. I am very proud that in the metal community we have such a great writer. The way Blythe writes somehow resonates with me very well; having seen many interviews of Blythe, I noticed that the way he writes is exactly how he speaks. Therefore, when I was reading the book, it was as if Blythe was telling me the story in my head, and that feeling was very vivid. It was like Blythe was me, I was Blythe, and I was with him side by side as he went through his ordeal.
One thing that I really appreciated was that although Blythe believed that he was innocent, he still writes in a very unbiased way. It did not sound like Blythe was trying to defend himself for his reputation (it did damaged his reputation a bit) at all. Instead, there were times when he had doubt about his innocence, because he did not clearly remember what happened--it was two years ago, and he had played plenty of gigs after that. Even though facing ten years of jail, and having the chance to ignore the case by not going back to Czech, Blythe chose to return to Czech to face the trial, so as to make sure everyone have an explanation.
When I finished reading the book, I exhaled, "Wow! Did this actually happen?" It was as though I was just reading a fictional story.
Blythe writes with his heart, not his hands. I recommend this book to anyone!
PS. I really hope more people will read this memoir, because this work from Blythe definite deserves more attention from the literary field.
March 27, 2018
I spent the entire past year anticipating this book. I was more interested in this book than the lamb of god album that was released in the same month, Sturm und Drang. I have never seen lamb of god, but I have seen plenty of death metal shows. I understand the modern metal show experience. Reading Randy Blythe's tumblr and following this case through his short, incarcerated writing samples gave me extremely high expectations for the quality of this story. Unlike many other musician books, this is entirely written by him and him alone. If any member of the metal community could go through this in an honorable manner while maintaining an external stoic demeanor, it is Randy Blythe.
He does not disappoint. At all.
It was strange how my book club had just finished reading The Trial by Franz Kafka when I finally got a chance to read Dark Days. I had just finished researching the judicial system of the Czechoslovak monarchy and the 1920 Constitution. Our book club discussions brought up how ridiculous and exaggerated Kafka sounded. I realize now that none of it was very far from the truth. Blythe brings up The Trial and these two tales are eerily similar. The Czech government's judicial system does not seem to have changed much since Kafka's pre-WWII days (nevermind the Communist influence).
There is a lot of emotional depth and pain here. At points I had to close the book for a while, trying to absorb the gravity of what I had just read. Ultimately, my point is you should read this book. It does not matter who you are.
This is perfect.
He does not disappoint. At all.
It was strange how my book club had just finished reading The Trial by Franz Kafka when I finally got a chance to read Dark Days. I had just finished researching the judicial system of the Czechoslovak monarchy and the 1920 Constitution. Our book club discussions brought up how ridiculous and exaggerated Kafka sounded. I realize now that none of it was very far from the truth. Blythe brings up The Trial and these two tales are eerily similar. The Czech government's judicial system does not seem to have changed much since Kafka's pre-WWII days (nevermind the Communist influence).
There is a lot of emotional depth and pain here. At points I had to close the book for a while, trying to absorb the gravity of what I had just read. Ultimately, my point is you should read this book. It does not matter who you are.
This is perfect.
July 19, 2015
4.5/5.
Dark Days had me laughing and crying, in different places.
I'm not normally a big fan of memoirs, but I am a fan of Blythe's. Reading Dark Days was a rare insight into a generally private individual's daily life in prison.
Blythe's voice is unique, witty, and sometimes downright silly. I enjoyed reading his personal reflection, shared in his confusion, was annoyed by Dorj, and cried during a brief chapter (16).
Side note: I particularly enjoyed "Tom Selleck" (the OG, of course)!
Speaking from a literary standpoint, he can sometimes jump from one tense to another without it being clear what time frame he is going back to. I like that it adds voice to the novel; almost like Blythe is having a conversation with you. However, it could sometimes be confusing to fast forward for a paragraph and then go back. It's difficult to pinpoint why this bothered me, but it did.
Thats the only reason I say 4.5/5 stars.
* I may edit this review later on a computer. This is a brief review from my phone & the battery is dying.
Dark Days had me laughing and crying, in different places.
I'm not normally a big fan of memoirs, but I am a fan of Blythe's. Reading Dark Days was a rare insight into a generally private individual's daily life in prison.
Blythe's voice is unique, witty, and sometimes downright silly. I enjoyed reading his personal reflection, shared in his confusion, was annoyed by Dorj, and cried during a brief chapter (16).
Side note: I particularly enjoyed "Tom Selleck" (the OG, of course)!
Speaking from a literary standpoint, he can sometimes jump from one tense to another without it being clear what time frame he is going back to. I like that it adds voice to the novel; almost like Blythe is having a conversation with you. However, it could sometimes be confusing to fast forward for a paragraph and then go back. It's difficult to pinpoint why this bothered me, but it did.
Thats the only reason I say 4.5/5 stars.
* I may edit this review later on a computer. This is a brief review from my phone & the battery is dying.
November 28, 2015
Blythe is the lead singer of the band lamb of god - not something of which I would be known to have an interest. However, I know his family and a component of his story. Due to an accident at a concert in Prague, a teen died and Blythe was arrested, held in a Czech prison and taken to trial. The book is his memory of all the events related to the fourteen months it took to resolve the issue. It's also an interesting look into the culture of the heavy metal music business.
On the one hand, he is brutally honest about his past and the process of the unfolding events. It is clear he is well read, articulate and a passionate artist. Additionally, one admires his courage and moral strength at times when the easy choice would have been to avoid trial.
That said, the book is not for anyone offended by profanity. Like any memoir, it's subjective and selective. I would have appreciated more data on the trial and forensic evidence.
On the one hand, he is brutally honest about his past and the process of the unfolding events. It is clear he is well read, articulate and a passionate artist. Additionally, one admires his courage and moral strength at times when the easy choice would have been to avoid trial.
That said, the book is not for anyone offended by profanity. Like any memoir, it's subjective and selective. I would have appreciated more data on the trial and forensic evidence.
September 16, 2015
wow .. i admit I am not currently a lamb of god fan, but after reading this book, I will definitely check out his band! I remember reading about this on various blogs. I must say, I greatly admire Mr blythe! he is a great writer, honest, and has great pride and integrity. I had great difficulty putting down his book, he wrote with clarity, passion, and honesty. as a fellow music lover and concert goer, i have been in a few pits in my time and seen the craziness of fans, been kicked in the head by crowd surfers, crushed by the weight of the crowd I had difficulty breathing because my chest literally could not expand, and jumped on by stage divers. Having seen injuries at various shows, and even deaths at an ac/dc concert in salt lake city, it's amazing it doesn't happen more often. anyhoo, you dont have be a fan of his band to enjoy this book! highly recommended!!
April 2, 2016
I very excited to read this book after watching As the Palace Burns, the movie based on the same events. I was a little worried that there would be too much overlap that it would make it a little boring, but that is not the case. This is a perfect companion piece to the movie. There are many things that the movie doesn't give much detail on such as what life was like in the prison that is covered in great detail in this book. This book is much rambling in this book, but it comes off as authentic like you are having a conversation with Randy. A big recommendation for fans of heavy metal and memoirs. Incredible story!
November 18, 2019
The most compelling parts of the book come when Blythe tones down his own exposition and settles into telling the actual story.
I was with him every step in prison, at the airport on his return, and parts of the courtroom too. I also didn't doubt for a second his genuine feelings for the family who lost their son and his integrity in ensuring some sense of dignity and closure to their loss. Highly respectable and affecting to read.
The book is bloated with redundancies though, and hackneyed phrasing. A serious editor and a few more rounds of revision would have helped. But there's no denying the heartfelt story buried within.
I was with him every step in prison, at the airport on his return, and parts of the courtroom too. I also didn't doubt for a second his genuine feelings for the family who lost their son and his integrity in ensuring some sense of dignity and closure to their loss. Highly respectable and affecting to read.
The book is bloated with redundancies though, and hackneyed phrasing. A serious editor and a few more rounds of revision would have helped. But there's no denying the heartfelt story buried within.
February 21, 2016
Pretty good autobiography written by the lead singer of the metal band Lamb of God. The main story in this book is about the journey Randall Blythe had to go through in Czech prison back in 2012 (Charged with manslaughter) but along the text we can find memories prior to the prison part. Funny in some parts and really really sad in others this book shows another face of Randy B. As a metalhead and a Lamb of God fan I found this book very touching.
"Sorry if you find an mistakes in this text for English is not my native language"
"Sorry if you find an mistakes in this text for English is not my native language"
August 20, 2015
This book was amazing! Even if you couldn't care less about the music of Lamb of God, you will enjoy this book. Randy Blythe is much more than just a heavy metal singer--he is a writer, a photographer and an avid reader. His experience is one that is sad and enraging. I was sad to come to the end of the book, but I simply could not stop reading it. If you have doubts about how much you might like this book, just pick it up and start reading.
January 20, 2016
Wow. One of the best memoirs I have ever read. Randy is an amazing lyricist and his book is no different. Though I knew the outcome of his trial, it was intriguing getting to read and experience the entire ordeal from start to finish. Moving, and even quite funny at times, this is a must read for anyone. Lamb of god fan or not.
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