This is, by far, the biggest encyclopaedia of Swedish hard rock and heavy metal - EVER! Readers will find information on over 3600 bands, ranging from the fluffiest AOR to the blackest of metal and anything in-between, starting way back in 1970 until today. Detailed biographies, discographies, members information, hometowns, geographical index with a map and a members index including over 11700 names, all of it topped off with never-before-published band photos and over 4700 record covers.

It has been reviled, dismissed, attacked, and occasionally been the subject of Congressional hearings, but still, the genre of music known as heavy metal maintains not only its market share in the recording and downloading industry, but also as a cultural force that has united millions of young and old fans across the globe. Characterized by blaring distorted guitars, drum solos, and dramatic vibrato, the heavy metal movement headbanged its way to the popular culture landscape with bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath the 1970s. Motley Crue and Metallica made metal a music phenomenon in the 1980s. Heavy metal continues to evolve today with bands like Mastodon and Lamb of God. Providing an extensive overview of the music, fashion, films, and philosophies behind the movement, this inclusive encyclopedia chronicles the history and development of heavy metal, including sub-movements such as death metal, speed metal, grindcore, and hair metal. Essential and highly entertaining reading for high school and undergraduate courses in popular music studies, communications, media studies, and cultural studies, the Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music and Culture offers a guide to the ultimate underground music, exploring its rich cultural diversity, resilience, and adaptability. Entries for musicians include a discography for those wanting to start or develop their music collections.

Following in the footsteps of its successful 1996 predecessor, THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SWEDISH HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL deals with bands from the far side of fluffiness to the heavy edge of death/black metal stretching out towards prog, blues and hardcore. Including bands formed after the publication of the first book, updates on all new releases, and a summary of all of the discographies found in the first book, this new encyclopaedia features tons of rare photos plus a free bonus CD with 14 previously unavailable tracks from Europe.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SWEDISH HARD ROCK AND HEAVY METAL 1970-1996 Illustrated throughout with literally hundreds of photographs, this is the most comprehensive collection of information on the Swedish hard rock scene ever published. Includes special bonus CD featuring the very best of rare demos and previously unreleased tracks from Candelmass, Crystal Pride, Europe, Radioactive, Thrash, Zanity and many more.

Includes everything anyone wants to know about leading Swedish punk acts such as Ebba Gron, KSMB, Attentat, Anti Cimex, Asta Kask and Strebers. Also includes information on every band that ever released a record during the first 10 years of punk music. Line ups, hometowns, biographies and fully-illustrated discographies abound in this authoritative collection. Collated over 10 years, the masses of information contained in this complete history of Swedish punk makes this the definitive reference guide to all the acts.