Dayal Patterson
"Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult – The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition"
Cult Never Dies (2023)

The original book was released in 2013. You may ask if there's anything new in this book that haven't been written already throughout the years in the first edition, in fanzines, magazines and then via the internet? Well, knowing that many new interviews have been done, the definitive edition of my answer is yes! The expanded edition is that there is a lot of new stuff, knowing that Dayal has talked to several relevant artists also recently, even in 2023, and also stuff that I had no knowledge of prior to reading this book, despite that I have been an avid follower of black metal since Bathory did their massive albums in the 80s. So, it goes without saying that this is by far the best approach to the story and evolution of black metal that you've ever read. This is the Bible of the Evolution Of Black Metal!

Aside from the ca. 420 pages of text, there's an 80-page photo gallery. One thing is the text, another is the photos. The way Dayal, who's done the layout himself, has made the layout is gold for sore eyes. The readability is excellent, and the photos and flyers are well panned out on each page. I'd say the layout is clean, which to me is a necessity when my eyesight isn't as good as it was some 20-30 years ago. You can see a couple of examples yourself.

If you are into black metal and would like to know more about the evolution of the genre(s), you don't have to look elsewhere. Dayal Patterson's book is, as previously stated, the Bible of black metal. I trust his writings way more than the other Bible. And for those of you who like happy endings, Dayal has saved a lovely little sarcastic one for the end of the book.

Approved by RK