Martin Popoff's 500 greatest metal albums of all time?

anybody else read this book, and what are your thoughts on this book? I have been reading slowly and if I run across a cd I don't own or not familiar with I have been ordering it, anyway just wonder if anyone else has read this book and what you think of the poll?

Administrator Joined : 04 Jan 2007 Posts : 8193

I have a couple of his Heavy Metal Collector's Guides and quite enjoy them. I don't always agree with his opinions, but I respect his knowledge of metal history.
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if they'd publish his books on TP i'd buy them.
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Metal graduate Age : 32 Joined : 30 Dec 2007 Posts : 282

I usually hate these type of books as I tend to always disagree with the choices. I do however have a few books by martin popoff, I like his style of writing and he has a vast amount of knowledge of metal/rock. Personal faves are his books on the history of Rush and a recent purchase, Painkillers the history of Judas Priest. His complete history of the 70's, 80's and 90's are quite good as well.
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THE GODS MADE HEAVY METAL!!!

Heart of Metal Age : 19 Joined : 12 Feb 2008 Posts : 1170

Never heard of this guy, but every other "history of metal" or "the greatest destination of the essential history of the world of metal or whatnot" just make me angry because they include stupid bands that are not metal in any way.

Administrator Joined : 04 Jan 2007 Posts : 8193

Heart of Metal Age : 50 Joined : 06 Feb 2007 Posts : 1844

I like Popoff's writing specifically because he usually gives me enough information even about something he hates to let me know that I might actually like it even if he doesn't. I don't agree much with his lists or tastes though. For one thing he used to totally over react to (his fellow) Canadian bands, either loving them or hating them. I haven't seen the Top 500 book, but he once listed Queen S/T as The Greatest Metal(!?) Album Ever. Now that's a great album by a great band, no question, but the best metal ever? Please. I recall that he did have the actual greatest album (at left) listed second though, so that helps Smile

Guest

i don't care the less for mpopoff's 500000000 greatest albums...but sure nowadays you must read at least 10 mpopoff's books in order to be a metalhead ( already all the guys from the music stores worship them)......

Metal graduate Age : 23 Joined : 27 Jul 2008 Posts : 326

The lists and books are never anything I waste my time with..always chock full of hype, predictability, never one single record that I myself would consider a top 10 or 20 anywhere in the hundreds or whatever.... 500 is a bigger number, but there's also more potential for beating the dead horse. I might skim through it if it's ever online sans writeups..

Heart of Metal Age : 21 Joined : 23 May 2007 Posts : 1948

His books are pretty good, i like the fact that he includes alot of bands that the sands of time have forgotten and introduces them to a whole new audience....myself included.

I've discovered some great forgotten bands through his books including Collision, Sons Of Freedom, The Big F, Last Crack, I Love You etc.
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"...Those tunes ain't an entertainment, their a way to be..."

- Tim Rogers

Heart of Metal Age : 21 Joined : 23 May 2007 Posts : 1948

Metal novice Age : 44 Joined : 22 Jun 2008 Posts : 29

I have read this book and I liked it.

I also own "The Collector's Guide To Heavy Metal: Volume 1, 2, and 3. I can't say I agree with all of his ratings, but anyone who gives Highway Chile "Storybook Heroes" a 10 out of 10 is okay in my book.

His book was based on a on line poll he took with metal fans around the world, it does contain some predictable choices such as Metallica-Master of Puppets at #1, etc but he is a great writer and even if you don't agree with some of his viewpoints, he does know his history and it is nice someone who doesn't think heavy metal began with Slayer (not that there is anything wrong with Slayer)

Heart of Metal Age : 19 Joined : 12 Feb 2008 Posts : 1170

Heart of Metal Age : 39 Joined : 16 Sep 2007 Posts : 1619

Guest

especially those collectors guide he wrote they should have the title: "collectors guide based on what info i found from my german friends and the internet". sure he was a huge part of his appartment and his internet connection....

Metal master Age : 28 Joined : 27 Jun 2008 Posts : 791

Heart of Metal Age : 33 Joined : 15 Feb 2007 Posts : 2167

I have this book of the 500 greatest metal albums and i like the coments of the people involved in the records but dont like how MARTIN POPOFF writes. He doesnt go straight to the point and what he writes is not very interesting or/and easy to understand sometimes, not even for english natives.

I wish I knew how to read. Illiteracy hurts. Sad

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