"Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs Of The '80s And The True Stories Behind Their Lyrics" provides exclusive insight into the creative process behind the top metal songs of the 1980s. Available for pre-order now and in stores early January 2010 via Course Technology PTR, the book features interviews with iconic rock artists offering insight into the inspiration behind such hits as Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law", AC/DC's "Back In Black", Motörhead's "Ace Of Spades", Megadeth's "Peace Sells", Pantera's "Cemetery Gates" and even Jane's Addiction's "Jane Says".
Written by
Jackie Kajzer — host and developer of nationally syndicated metal radio show "
Full Metal Jackie" — with
Roger Lotring, the book features classic photos by renowned rock photographer
Mark Weiss and a foreword written by
Dave Mustaine of
Megadeth.
Over the course of five months, lyricists of songs featured in the book were interviewed and asked to remember the creative and social circumstances surrounding their songs. Some songwriters were very certain in their recollection; others were somewhat less specific in their memories. But each person had fascinating anecdotes and opinions to share. The book delves into the cultural and social impact the songs had when they were released, as well as the continued validity and influence these songs hold in the 21st century.
"The idea to focus on lyrics for this book came from preparing my radio show each week," says Kajzer. "Many of the songs I played were never edited for radio and had profanities. I make edits for my show so metal fans finally get a chance to hear the songs on commercial radio. When I read the lyrics to many of these songs, I got an even greater sense of how powerful these songs really are, and I wanted to share that insight with other metal fans."
Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, who provides the foreword for the book, contemplates:
"Who would have known that this relatively short time span of 3,653 days [the '80s] would result in the creation of some of the most influential heavy metal bands on earth?"
"Full Metal Jackie Certified: The 50 Most Influential Heavy Metal Songs Of The '80s…" features songs that were not always the commercial favorites. The book analyzes lyrics that made social and personal statements that influenced the heavy metal audience, rather than mainstream pop culture. Included are songs that address nuclear armament, drug addiction, religion, suicide and governmental control. These songs are "Full Metal Jackie-certified" as important contributions to the metal genre that continue to have a lyrical impact on successive generations of fans.
Read more at Blabbermouth.net.
Will definitely be picking up this book though