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Head on a Pike

The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike
By Matt Pike
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Head on a Pike offers a two-decade retrospective of musical poetry by heavy metal guitarist and frontman Matt Pike, from his 1998 album Art of Self Defense through to the Grammy-winning 2019 album Electric Messiah. Featuring dozens of full-colour illustrations, each chapter is enriched with new artistic interpretations by renowned illustrators, tattooers, printmakers, and painters inspired directly by Pike's work. This collection transports readers into a shadowy realm filled with ominous, Lovecraftian imagery and esoteric darkness, redefining the perception of Underground Doom Metal across twenty years.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for fans of heavy metal and underground doom metal, poetry enthusiasts, and admirers of music-inspired visual arts. Those interested in the fusion of lyrical depth with bold artistic expression will find it especially rewarding.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

With dozens of full-colour illustrations!

This is a retrospective of musical poetry by heavy metal guitarist and frontman, Matt Pike, which spans twenty years beginning in 1998 with the album Art of Self Defense up to the latest release, the 2019 Grammy-Award winning record, Electric Messiah.

Every chapter features brand-new artistic interpretations from the minds and hearts of an incredible cast of illustrators, tattooers, printmakers, and painters. Pike has trusted these artists since the beginning to depict his vision. The cast of artists includes Arik Roper, David V. D'Andrea, Santos, Brian Mercer, Skinner, Jondix, Stash, Tim Lehi, Jordan Barlow, and Derrick Snodgrass.

They created brand new, never-before-seen works specifically inspired by each album, including one large illustration to define the chapter ahead and two additional vignettes directly inspired by the songs. Each artist has their own bold and iconic style that perfectly complements the breadth of Pike's various works.

These prolific artists transport the reader further into a far-away landscape of ominous Lovecraftian entities, shrouded in wondrous and esoteric darkness. Together, they have redefined the way we perceive Underground Doom Metal these past twenty years, and it is our honour to showcase them together along with the incredible written word of Pike.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise the book for its elegant presentation of Pike's lyrics as poetry. Consequence notes the minimalist stanza-by-stanza layout, while Kerrang! Magazine highlights Pike's impressive metal catalogue fronting the band High On Fire. The Collaborative Magazine regards Pike as a 'renaissance man' embodying rock 'n' roll hedonism and legendary musical prowess.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781644282236

Publisher: Rare Bird Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 20 January 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Rare Bird Books

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

  • By Arik Roper
  • By David V. D'Andrea
  • By Santos
  • By Brian Mercer
  • By Skinner
  • By Jondix
  • By Stash
  • By Tim Lehi

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 139.0mm

Height: 215.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 128

Collections

Arts & Culture Matt Pike Music & Musicians Non-Fiction

About the Author

Matt Pike is a Grammy-Award winning heavy metal guitar player from the bands Asbestos Death, Sleep, and also the frontman of High On Fire and Kalas. He is currently working on his first solo record, put together during the pandemic. His career began 1989 in the Bay Area Punk and Metal Scene and has remained active to the present day. His individual guitar stylings are synonymous with Sabbath Worship, giving rise to the birth of Stoner Metal as we know it today.

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