Darryl Keck - Metal Generation

Metal Generation is Darryl Keck's personal account of his more than two decades of involvement in metal. Keck grew up in Iowa and became a huge metal fan. After joining the military and moving to Arizona he started writing for local publications and eventually started his own magazine, Amplified Assault.

The book tells the story of Keck's experiences with bands, musicians and record labels as he strived to promote the local scene and develop his magazine. He was able to meet most of the big names in metal and has interesting stories about his encounters with them.

Keck either has a photographic memory or had some sort of journal or diary, because his recollection of the details of events from almost two decades ago is remarkable. In addition to Keck's personal story, when you read Metal Generation you'll find out a lot about some of the lesser known metal bands of the '80s and '90s such as Odin, Sacred Reich, Flotsam and Jetsam, Atrophy and Armored Saint. Keck also writes about some of the most successful and popular bands in metal that he was able to interview or see in concert.

Metal Generation is more than just a nostalgia trip. Keck had good and bad experiences with the scene and its players, and he pulls no punches in his evaluation of bands and their music and some of the events that happened to him. There are some bitter moments and a lot of complaining throughout the book, but Keck's love for metal shines through. He's been beat down, battered and bruised by the business and politics of the music industry, but it's the music itself that keeps him coming back.

Metal Generation is an honest and compelling read, and if you're a fan of '80s metal you will especially enjoy this book.