Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality

Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality

Author: William Irwin | Language: English | ISBN: 1118397592 | Format: EPUB

Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality Description

Review

“This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, shedding a lot of light on the members, music, and society with regards to everything from religion to family.”  (Sacramento Book Review, 1 June 2013)

“This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, shedding a lot of light on the members, music, and society with regards to everything from religion to family.”  (City Book Review, 1 March 2013)

“Black Sabbath & Philosophy is a wholly absorbing read large . . . A long-overdue work, and a rewarding one both for fans and those curious about the philosophical gravity behind all those murky riffs.”  (PopMatters, 11 January 2013)

“Much like Black Sabbath themselves, this wide-ranging, amusing book entertains and makes your brain ache in equal measure.”  (Record Collector, 1 December 2012)

“A book to dip into, that will get you thinking and almost certainly have you going back and listening to your old Black Sabbath albums in a different light. Highly recommended.”  (Get Ready to Rock, 20  November 2012)

From the Back Cover

 

What personal and cultural conditions led Black Sabbath to create heavy metal?

What makes Sabbath sound evil? Is evil in the ear of the beholder?

Is it still Black Sabbath without Ozzy?

How can Black Sabbath and existentialism help you to face your demons?

Black Sabbath is one of the world's most influential and enduring bands. Dubbed "the Beatles of heavy metal" by Rolling Stone, they helped to define a genre with classic songs like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs,” songs whose lyrics reveal hidden depth and philosophical insight. Confronting existential despair, social instability, political corruption, the horrors of war, and the nature of evil, this book explores the wide range of profound ideas in the band's music and lyrics to help you understand Black Sabbath as never before. From Aristotle and Nietzsche to Schopenhauer and Marx, this book brings some of history's heaviest thinkers to bear on the band's music. So . . . can you help me, occupy my brain? Yes! Start reading Black Sabbath and Philosophy.

See all Editorial Reviews

• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 23, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118397592
• ISBN-13: 978-1118397596
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Introduction: “What Is This That Stands Before Me?” x

Acknowledgments: They Sold Their Souls for Rock ‘n’ Roll xii

Part I Necessary Evil 1

1 Beyond Good and Evil: Facing Your Demons With Black Sabbath and Existentialism 3
William Irwin

2 Masters of a Better Possible Reality: Conquering Evil With Love 12
Liz Stillwaggon Swan

3 “Is It the End, My Friend?” Black Sabbath ’ s Apocalypse of Horror 20
Brian Froese

Part II Playing Devil ’ s Advocate 31

4 Black Sabbath and the Sound of Evil 33
Joel McIver

5 The Worst of All Possible Worlds: Schopenhauer Meets Sabbath 41
James Heathers

6 Tony Iommi ’ s Hand of Doom: From Plastic Fingertips to Creative Freedom 51
Ken Pepper

Part III The Dark Art of Metal 61

7 The Art of Black Sabbath: Aristotle Joins the Band 63
Greg Littmann

8 Black Sabbath and the Problem of Defining Metal 76
Søren R. Frimodt-Møller

9 Saint Vitus Dance: The Art of Doom 87
Manuel Bremer and Daniel Cohnitz

10 Gods, Drugs, and Ghosts: Finding Dionysus and Apollo in Black Sabbath and the Birth of Heavy Metal 96
Dennis Knepp

Part IV Is It Still Sabbath Without Ozzy? 111

11 It ’ s Not Sabbath Unless Ozzy ’ s the Singer (But It ’ s Fine If You Disagree) 113
James Bondarchuk

12 Fightin’ Words: Sabbath Doesn ’ t Need the Ozzman 126
Wesley D. Cray

13 The Name Remains the Same—But Should It? 140
Mark D. White

Part V Symptoms of The Universe 149

14 Wicked World: The Politics of the Supernatural in Black Sabbath 151
Erich Christiansen

15 “Demons, Dreamers, and Madmen”: Is Ozzy Going Insane? 163
Kevin McCain

16 “As the War Machine Keeps Turning”: Just War Theory, Pacifism, and the War on Terror 171
Jacob M. Held

17 Stop Stereotyping Sabbath: Sex, Subjugation, and Stupidity 182
Robert Arp

Contributors: Children of the Grave 190

Index: The Writ 195

Mixed but interesting book. I've always enjoyed deconstructions or philosophical analysis of subject matter that would not normally be considered for such, but should be. Whether it's the genre fiction of writers like H. P. Lovecraft or John Le Carre, the musical continuities of composers like Frank Zappa, or the thematic overlaps of film directors like Stanley Kubrick, it's always gratifying to see a favorite get their due.

Each "chapter" is actually a stand-alone essay written by a different person. This has its pros and cons. On the plus side, if one doesn't grab you, there is always a different one coming. And you do not have to suffer through a single agenda from start to finish. The negatives would be the usual expected from any collection of different writers. Some articles seem to labor to make their point, stretching things to a credibility breaking point, but that is not uncommon in these sorts or works.

One should not fear, however, that this book is some kind of excruciating analysis of Sabbath lyrics, going through song after song, stating obvious observations, quoting lyrics at great length, etc. I detest those sorts of books. This one generally gives the reader credit with being familiar with the songs, or at least can make an interesting point about them without a plot synopsis, which is just wasted space for fans. Articles also range far afield, covering things like the ethical dilemmas of retaining the band's name on recordings after most original members have left, Schopenhauer and Sabbath, and the often redemptive quality of the band's songs, plus many other topics.

There are not many serious books on Sabbath or metal groups in general.

At the outset, I feel obligated to state that I proofread this book. That in itself doesn't mean I'm biased in its favor. I've proofread numerous essays that I didn't think were very good. But I think this book is very good, even if I don't agree with every essay in here. In fact, I disagree with the points made in quite a few. But I'm, nevertheless, thrilled to see them, primarily because it represents writers putting forth intelligent discussion on the subject of Black Sabbath and their lyrics, something that's criminally absent in rock journalism (and a subject that's close to home, as I'm in the midst of writing my own book on the band's lyrics).

As is known, Black Sabbath had been, for years, ill-treated by music journalists who couldn't comprehend that what they were accomplishing musically and lyrically was not just different, but groundbreaking. And many of the fans didn't help, perpetuating the myth of Black Sabbath as either a "satanic" band, or merely a dumb one, exciting and heavy, yes, but nothing terribly thought-provoking.

The real fans knew the truth. Black Sabbath were putting forth very serious musical and lyrical ideas, profound philosophical, psychological and spiritual insights. Some of the critics got it. The late Lester Bangs (Creem, Rolling Stone) got it (particularly after the first album). The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame got it (at long last). And William Irwin gets it. So do the writers who make up this long-awaited volume.

Black Sabbath & Philosophy is a fascinating, enriching, at times enraging, and ultimately, utterly enjoyable read. Those who know Black Sabbath will most obviously get much out of it; those who think they know Black Sabbath will get even more.

Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality Preview

Link

Please Wait...