THE BOX OF BLACK BOOKS: Metalion, Only Death Is Real, and Swedish Death Metal Hardcover Set

This is a giant 14 lbs. (6 kg) collection of massively heavy reading material from Bazillion Points, the three most intense metal books ever written: Metalion: The Slayer Mag Diaries, by Jon Kristiansen; Only Death Is Real: An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and Early Celtic Frost 1981–1985, by Tom Gabriel Fischer; and the exclusive hardcover edition of Swedish Death Metal, by Daniel Ekeroth, including a free woven patch.

NOTE: Substitutions? Simply add a note with your order, and we will get in touch to confirm your selection. This is the best way to bulk up on books and beat the burden of overseas shipping.

Book 1: METALION: The Slayer Mag Diaries, by Jon “Metalion” Kristiansen

“Metalion is the best book about heavy metal ever released. A stunningly comprehensive historical and cultural record…Bazillion Points has outdone itself in terms of artistic forethought and comprehensive content. “—PopMatters

Deluxe 744pp hardcover w/720pp b/w pages
Over 600 reproductions from every issue of Slayer Mag)
100+ rare historical images
8pp color insert from Slayer Mag Archives
16pp gallery of photo portraits by Jon Kristiansen
Dimensions: 8.5″ x 11″ x 2″ (215mm x 280mm x 51mm); 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg); retail $39.95
Forewords by Ian Christe, Tomas Lindberg, Chris Reifert, Fenriz, Stephen O’Malley, Erik Danielsson, and Tara G. Warrior

The greatest heavy metal story ever told—the complete tale of a life lived for metal. Part anthology, part memoir, and years in the making, METALION includes over 600 reproduction pages from every issue of Slayer Mag—Slayer 1 through Slayer XX, plus the precursor Live Wire zine—spanning from the early 1980s through 2010. In addition, author Jon Kristiansen recounts his life’s story, from alienated outsider to central figure in Norwegian black metal to metal party beast to world-weary metal survivor. The book also features over 100 rare photographs, including two color sections and a portrait gallery of photographs taken by Kristiansen himself.

The astonishing combination of archival material includes scores of key historic interviews with the most revered figures in extreme metal, including Mayhem, Emperor, Slayer, Kreator, Nihilist, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Cathedral, Entombed, Morbid, Napalm Death, Metallica, Opeth, Cradle of Filth, Sadistik Execution, Usurper, Nifelheim, Darkthrone, Sodom, Destruction, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Exodus, Dissection, Candlemass, Carcass, Sepultura, Gorgoroth, Death, Watain, Sadus, Satyricon, Enslaved, Pentagram, Jarboe, Immortal, Possessed, Overkill, Ulver, Dark Angel, and countless others.

Book 2: ONLY DEATH IS REAL: An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and Early Celtic Frost 1981–1985, by Tom Gabriel Fischer with Martin Eric Ain

288pp (24pp color) deluxe Wibalin-bound hardcover
Introduction by Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone
Foreword by Joel McIver
Dimensions: 9.25″ x 11.5″ (241mm x 292mm); 4 lbs. (1.8 kg)

“Heartfelt and open…a genuine asset to the understanding and appreciation of…what was sacrificed in the name of music that has since become classic.”—Terrorizer [10/10 review]

This formidable oversized hardcover runs 288 pages (including a 32-page color section), and combines hundreds of unseen early Hellhammer and Celtic Frost photos with a vast treasure trove of artwork and memorabilia. A substantial written component by Fischer details his upbringing on the outskirts of Zurich, Switzerland, and the hardships and triumphs he faced bringing the visions of his groundbreaking bands Hellhammer and eventually Celtic Frost to reality. In addition, the book includes an introduction by Nocturno Culto of Norwegian black metal act Darkthrone, and a foreword by noted metal author Joel McIver. Without question, Only Death Is Real goes farther than any other source in exploring the origins of underground heavy metal.

This is a book about the real Hellhammer, the essence of that group, the aura it carried, and the truly unique spirit of revolution of the times in which it existed. It is a book about a group of outcasts—about persistence, dedication, and an utterly personal vision. I have worked very hard to make sure it will do justice to the work of a number of very unique people who shared the same ideas at a very unique point in time.”—Tom Gabriel Fischer

Book 3: SWEDISH DEATH METAL, by Daniel Ekeroth

*** Limited edition hardcover ships with bonus Swedish Death Metal woven patch ***

“Finally, the true story of Swedish death metal! This book brought me back to the good old days”—Tomas Lindberg, At the Gates

450 densely-illustrated pages
Heavy-duty 130gsm paper
Extensive 300pp history PLUS 150pp highly opinionated band encyclopedia, gallery, and fanzine bibliography
Written by Daniel Ekeroth (of Insision, Tyrant, Dellamorte, Diskonto; and author of Violent Italy)
Foreword by Chris Reifert (Autopsy)
Dimensions: 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg); retail $44.95

The ultimate blow-by-blow account of Sweden’s legendary death metal underground, based on exclusive interviews with members of Nihilist/ Entombed, In Flames, At the Gates, Dismember, Grave, Hypocrisy, Opeth, Unleashed, Marduk, Morbid, Mob 47, Deranged, Edge of Sanity, Merciless, Therion, Liers in Wait, Carnage, Carcass, Tiamat/Treblinka, Afflicted, Repugnant, and the Haunted.