The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time (Book)
Author: Martin Popoff
Publisher: ECW Press
Publication Date: 4/28/04

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Requiem (7/20/05):
    I never cease to be amazed by the writings of Martin Popoff. Not only by his ability to pen down an intricate, inventive review of almost every rock album ever made, but also his vast knowledge of the subject, probably far greater than anyone on this earth. So here's his next book, and we literate metal heads are ready with open arms. This time, it's a project of sorts, one that we, the rock/metalheads at some point in time, had an opportunity to participate in. The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time is just that, and was chosen by you, or anyone that had the opportunity to know about the project and the willingness to participate. Then Martin tallied up the scores in some systematic manner and came up with a top 500 list. It's a genius idea if you ask me.

    The one major thing that really fucks up the whole book is the fact that instead of counting down from number 500, he blows the load right away and goes from 1 to 500. I can't think of any reason why you'd do it this way and I wish the book could be reassembled because of it. I'm sure many don't read it all the way through like I do, in which case it doesn't matter as a reference book. That major complaint aside, the book is an entertaining read; hearing Martin give his two cents on what he thinks of the given album, the rank and usually an excerpt of an interview discussing the album in question or a playlist from a member of the band.

    The end of the book has some interesting comparisons such as sorting the results by rank, by band, genre top tens, and the editor's top 25. Martin Popoff is one crazy dude for all that he puts into his books, but it's great fun for any metalhead to evaluate and debate. Without ruining the book, I will assure you that there were many inclusions from the bands we'd assume rule the charts like Metallica, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Guns N' Roses, etc., etc. I was a little disappointed that certain albums didn't make it, like Corrosion of Conformity's Blind, Death's Spiritual Healing, Brutal Truth's Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses and any Vio-lence record. But that's not what you voted on. So be it. Nevertheless, The Top 500 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time is an outstanding read courtesy of the genre's most dedicated and talented journalist.
    4 out of 5

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