BORN FOR BURNING - The History Of Black Metal BOOK (PREORDER)

NB! This is a preorder item - Releasedate is April 17th 2026

Born for Burning: The History of Black Metal tells the fierce, shadow-drenched story of one of heavy music's most extreme and transgressive movements. From its gestation in the early 80's under raw, primitive riffs, Satanic imagery, and underground ferocity, to its darker peaks in the Norwegian scene and its global, multifaceted evolution, Matías Gallardo maps every blistering beat, every distorted chord, and every howl that defined what became Black Metal.

Drawing on over 100 interviews with legendary cult figures from all over the world - Venom, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Master's Hammer, Profanatica, Blasphemy, Tormentor, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Emperor, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Ulver, Watain, Agalloch, Xasthur, Leviathan, Alcest, Misþyrming and many more - this is a chronicle of artistry and outrage, of beauty and brutality, Gallardo not only explores the music, the influences and the aesthetics, and the sonic innovations, but also does not shy away from the crime, the chaos, the church burnings, and the acts that shocked the world.

Black Metal remains a most fascinating subject and it is therefore hardly surprising that a host of books has already been written about this harsh musical genre. One might even be justified to ask the heretical question, if the world needs another one. The answer is a resounding 'yes', because Argentinian author Matías Gallardo adds a Southern American perspective and voice to the existing canon with his book debut "Born for Burning – The History of Black Metal".

The contribution of Southern American bands spearheaded by Sarcófago among many others to the style's evolution has all too often been overlooked. Gallardo leaves the narrow Nordic perspective behind by interviewing black metal acts, classic icons as well as young and wild, from all over the world for a more global view. This makes "Born for Burning – The History of Black Metal" essential reading for everyone interested in the genre

With a prologue by Dan Lilker (Nuclear Assault), and an introduction by Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone), Born for Burning is a powerful, unflinching journey through terror, transgression, and uncompromising passion. For fans, scholars, or anyone curious about how the underground became myth, this book is essential - and it burns.

386 pages - Index Verlag 2026