Archive for metal books

MOONSORROW – New Hardback Explored One Of The Most Respected And Influential Pagan Metal Bands

Posted in books, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on August 5, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

“Home of the Waves: Conversations with Moonsorrow” by Grilo do Demo is an unparalleled and candid look at the Finnish pagan black metal band

Features exclusive, in-depth interviews with all band members, including a rare interview with Markus Eurén

To be released on 30th September via Cult Never Dies in a 388-page hardback with 20-page colour photo gallery and 150 images, most never before seen

Pre-orders available now!

Revered metal publishing house Cult Never Dies will release a brand new book about the Finnish black metal band Moonsorrow on 30 September 2025. Entitled “Home of the Waves: Conversations with Moonsorrow” and written by devoted Moonsorrow fanatic Grilo do Demo(the person behind the Unofficial Moonsorrow Biography, the Epic Heathen Podcast, and the Verisivut Moonsorrow Fanzine), this exhaustive hardback offers an unparalleled and candid look at one of the most respected and influential pagan metal bands.

The book covers the band’s history, from the founders’ childhood through their early demo period, gradual line-up additions, increasing touring activity, and their extensive discography. It is built around exclusive and in-depth interviews with all band members: Ville SorvaliHenri SorvaliMarko TarvonenMitja HarvilahtiJanne Perttilä, and what is believed to be the only interview with Markus Eurén. The book explores Moonsorrow’s history, lyrical and visual themes, composition process, ideological background, technical details, and much more.

Home of the Waves: Conversations with Moonsorrow” is the culmination of a two-week immersive project where author Grilo do Demo and visual storyteller Leo Aragón, along with a dedicated team, interviewed the band daily, multiple times a day, across Finland. Originally intended for a documentary, this book utilises all 13 days of filmed interviews, providing behind-the-scenes narrations of the project’s execution, the team’s collaboration with Moonsorrow, and the significance of the locations visited.

The book’s author Grilo do Demo said: “I’m tremendously excited to finally see this material become public. The documentary will surely be amazing, but that will be, what? 2 hours long? Well, that’s why this book has a huge value on its own – we have 20+ hours of interview footage, and ALL of it is contained here, carefully transcribed from the first to the last word. This book offers a new look into how Moonsorrow’s music is created, from the initial concept to the final mastering, and even how colour codes are involved in their composition! You’ll discover how the band formed, the founders’ other early projects, and pivotal moments like the shift from Kivenkantaja to Verisäkeet. There are so many stories, from the tragicomedy behind the Kivenkantaja runestone to why they almost became a grindcore band (or at least they claimed so) – and even a glimpse into Mitja’s outdoor adventures. I can’t wait for it to be available for all Moonsorrow fans out there after all these years. Preorder it now, September is around the corner!”

Dayal Patterson, Cult Never Dies founder and longtime music journalist, said: “Moonsorrow are an exceptional band, and in many ways a unique and influential one, so we are more than proud to be releasing such an in-depth book about this Finnish institution. The author has done a great job of telling the band’s story, and the musicians featured are notably candid at times during the interviews.

“Home of the Waves: Conversations with Moonsorrow” is a substantial 388-page hardback, featuring a 24-page colour photo gallery and a total of 150 images, most of which have never been seen before.

Pre-orders for the book are available now via
Cult Never Dies UK & ROW Webstore (also with art print): https://cultneverdies.myshopify.com/collections/all-publications/products/home-of-the-waves-conversations-with-moonsorrow-hardback-book 

Cult Never Dies EU Storehttps://cultneverdies-eu.travelling-merchant.com/merchandising/book/grilo-do-demo-home-of-the-waves-conversations-with-moonsorrow-book

Cult Never Dies EU Store (with art print): https://cultneverdies-eu.travelling-merchant.com/merchandising/book/grilo-do-demo-home-of-the-waves-conversations-with-moonsorrow-print-book

Cult Never Dies Online:
Website: https://www.cultneverdies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultNeverDies/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultneverdies/

“Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult” – The Definitive Black Metal Book Out This November

Posted in Black Metal, black metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal books, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 9, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Features brand new interviews with Necromantia, Arcturus, Immortal, Agalloch, Destruction, Mystifier, and Winterfylleth plus extended interviews with Rotting Christ, Behemoth, Sigh, Mayhem and many more

The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition” to consist of 130,000 words of new content, 25 new chapters with over 70 new interviews and improved cover art and design

The book release marks 10 years of Cult Never Dies

UK-based publishing house Cult Never Dies will mark its 10th anniversary this November with the release of Dayal Patterson’s “Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult – The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition”. Pre-orders are available now via Cult Never Dies (UK & ROW store / EU store). North American orders can be placed via Decibel Books.

With the original version of the book no longer available in print, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult is hailed as the most acclaimed book on the history of black metal, and the only one endorsed by those involved in creating the genre.

The book will be approximately 340,000 words long, including 130,000 words of new content, 25 new chapters and 48 extended and updated chapters. This will include over 150 exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the genre, including: Venom, Mercyful Fate, Bathory, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Blasphemy, Darkthrone, Behemoth, Rotting Christ, Mayhem and many more. The author also included over 70 brand new or previously unpublished interviews with the likes of Necromantia, Arcturus, Immortal, Agalloch, Destruction, Mystifier, and Winterfylleth.

Evolution of the Cult will also have hugely improved cover art and layout by longtime Cult Never Dies artist David Thiérrée (Behemoth, Gorgoroth, Mortiis), and will include almost 600 photos, many previously unseen, including an 80-page colour/gloss section.

Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir commended the book: “You don’t have to read between the lines anymore ‘cause it’s all there, straight from the source,” while Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ called it “a valuable educational piece of dark writing.”

Vorph of Samael added: “This is a very insightful work: Without doubt the ultimate book on the subject, a testimony of black metal and a good introduction for neophytes.

Hvall of Windir and Vreid said: “A brilliantly written book – mandatory if you have any interest in the genre, or want to explore a new world.

Photo credit: Ester Segarra

Dayal Patterson, book author, Cult Never Dies owner and longtime music journalist, said: “I cannot express how good it feels now that Cult Never Dies finally owns the rights to this book and are able to release it – along with Decibel in the US – in this massively improved form. The limitations placed on the original in terms of word count meant that so many chapters and parts I originally envisioned simply couldn’t be included or were not even worth completing due to a lack of space. What turned into a fairly straightforward restoration job led to about a year of 14-hour days, not only overhauling the existing chapters and layout (something we had always been unhappy with) of the book, but doing a huge number of new interviews and working with a wealth of new bands and artists. Finally, there are proper chapters celebrating bands such as Vinterland, Satyricon, Immortal, Arcturus, Mystifier and Profanatica, as well as greater explorations of black metal in Brazil, the US, the UK, Sweden, Greece, and, of course, Norway.

For a full list of the 150 interviewees, visit Cult Never Dies.

Bands featured include: VENOM • MERCYFUL FATE • BATHORY • HELLHAMMER • CELTIC FROST • SODOM • DESTRUCTION • SEPULTURA • VULCANO • HOLOCAUSTO • MYSTIFIER • BLASPHEMY • SAMAEL • ROTTING CHRIST • NECROMANTIA • DEVISER • TORMENTOR • MASTER’S HAMMER • VON • MAYHEM • THORNS • DARKTHRONE • BURZUM • IMMORTAL • EMPEROR • GEHENNA • GORGOROTH • TRELLDOM • BEHERIT • IMPALED NAZARENE • CRADLE OF FILTH • DIMMU BORGIR • LES LEGIONS NOIRE • MARDUK • DISSECTION • VINTERLAND • THE BLACK • WATAIN • SHINING • STRID • FORGOTTEN WOODS • BETHLEHEM • SILENCER • FORGOTTEN TOMB • LIFELOVER • GRAVELAND • INFERNUM • BEHEMOTH • HADES • HELHEIM • ISENGARD/STORM • KAMPFAR • WINDIR • PRIMORDIAL • OCTOBER FALLS • ENSLAVED • SATYRICON • ULVER • MORTEM • ARCTURUS • FLEURETY • IN THE WOODS… • MANES • VED BUENS ENDE • DØDHEIMSGARD • SIGH • DEATHSPELL OMEGA • MYSTICUM • ABORYM • BLACKLODGE • BLACK WITCHERY • HECATE ENTHRONED • WINTERFYLLETH • FEN • AGALLOCH • ABSU • PROFANATICA and more

Cult Never Dies Online:
Website: https://www.cultneverdies.com/
UK & ROW Webstore: https://cultneverdies.myshopify.com/
EU Webstore: https://cultneverdies-eu.travelling-merchant.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultneverdies/

BEHEMOTH – Revolver Magazine Unveils Exclusive Excerpts From Forthcoming Biography; North American Live Takeover Continues

Posted in Death Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on February 20, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Behemoth - Devils Conquistadors - promo book cover pic - #2015BMBMO - 66331

Next week, Metal Blade Records will unleash Behemoth: Devil’s Conquistadors. A definitive BEHEMOTH biography penned by Łukasz Dunaj, the stunning 490-page, hardcover tome takes an in-depth look at the history of the events that materially influenced the band, their music, their ultimate rise to the upper echelon of Metal and becoming a household name in their native homeland of Poland. In addition to the author’s narrative, the book includes quotes and anecdotes from current and former BEHEMOTH members, as well as interviews with Tomas Krajewski, Rob Darken, Graal, Havok, old photos of the band, flyers, lyric sheets and so much more.

In the foreword by Krzysztof Azarewicz (Polish poet, writer, occultist and longtime lyric co-writer): “If, as a cultural anthropologist, I were to point to a single cosmic force which BEHEMOTH’s music expresses, I would name it not Satan but Dionysus. A deity that represents not only the intoxicating influence of cosmic energies and earthly benefits, but also their benevolent healing properties. A deity of strength and pride. A deity of creative might.”

Behemoth - classic band logo - #2015BMO - 330220

In advance of its release, today Revolver Magazine offers up an exclusive excerpt from the book where vocalist/guitarist Nergal recounts his early grade and high school years, his increasing interest in extreme music and his growing skepticism of Catholicism. Check it out at THIS LOCATION.

In related news, BEHEMOTH is currently damning stages throughout North America on a mammoth co-headlining tour with legendary Death Metal practitioners/labelmates, Cannibal Corpse. The month-long takeover continues to march its way across the country and will trample through nearly three-dozen cities upon its conclusion on March 7th in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Support comes from two of Sweden’s finest Metal exports: Aeon and Tribulation.

Reports The Dallas Observer of the band’s set, “BEHEMOTH’s credo is the power of the will, and it completely permeates their live show… On a starkly lit stage filled with cast-iron ritualistic symbols, vocalist and guitarist Nergal lurched around with the ease of a seasoned performer. He held the audience in his hand, and his performance alone made it plain why BEHEMOTH’s live show is so renowned.”

Behemoth - classic band logo - #2015BMO - 330220

BEHEMOTH w/ Cannibal Corpse, Aeon, Tribulation [remaining dates]:

2/20/2015 House Of Blues -Chicago, IL
2/21/2015 Egyptian Room – Indianapolis, IN
2/22/2015 House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH
2/23/2015 St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI
2/24/2015 The Phoenix – Toronto, ON
2/25/2015 Metropolis – Montreal, QC
2/27/2015 House of Blues – Boston, MA
2/28/2015 Webster Hall – New York, NY
3/01/2015 Theater Of The Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
3/02/2015 The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
3/03/2015 The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC
3/05/2015 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
3/06/2015 Janus Landing – Tampa, FL
3/07/2015 Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Behemoth: Devil’s Conquistadors will be released via Metal Blade Records on February 24th, 2015.

Preorders are available now at metalblade.com/behemoth where you’ll find a special bundle option which includes an exclusive shirt available ONLY with the preorder.

___________________________

Source: Earsplit PR

* For more info on BEHEMOTH:

http://www.metalblade.com/behemoth

http://www.facebook.com/behemoth

http://www.twitter.com/BehemothBand

http://www.youtube.com/Behemothofficial

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE BEHEMOTH.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.