As the title suggests, Metal is an attempt to provide the ultimate genre guide, with respected author Garry Sharpe-Young tracing its roots from Black Sabbath through every variation and subgenre to the present day. The result is a 495-page catalogue of bands separated into chapters by style and geography, including (among others) American thrash, Norwegian black metal, doom, power, progressive, gothic and symphonic metal.
Each band is described and referenced within the metal framework and given a full discography, though there is a worrying amount of pictures featuring moody types with dodgy outfits who seem to take it all rather seriously. This aside, there is a staggering amount of detail which should keep even the most diehard fans happy. Opening with a foreword by Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Metal is packed full of analysis and quotes from many other luminaries, such as Geezer Butler and Ronnie James Dio.
