{"id":53359,"date":"2016-08-31T13:00:24","date_gmt":"2016-08-31T18:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.toiletovhell.com\/?p=53359"},"modified":"2016-08-31T12:28:23","modified_gmt":"2016-08-31T17:28:23","slug":"swords-of-steel-a-metal-homage-to-pulp-fantasy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toiletovhell.com\/swords-of-steel-a-metal-homage-to-pulp-fantasy\/","title":{"rendered":"Swords of Steel: A Metal Homage To Pulp-Fantasy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Swords of Paperback<\/p>\n

Throughout its history, swords & sorcery has been an integral part of heavy metal. From the very first Black Sabbath<\/strong> album back in ’70 to the latest Grand Magus<\/strong> record in 2016, fireballs have flown and steel clashed against steel in a fight most noble. Tales reminiscent of the adventure and horror-tinged stories of the pulp-era have secured a strong foothold in the hearts of metalheads. Many of us have pictured ourselves facing dragons with our massive blades erected (better have that fire insurance) or joining the pillaging, plundering, murdering rapists known as vikings on one of their totally honorable conquests. [Editor’s Note: I’ve never once pictured these things. Y’all some nerds.]<\/em><\/p>\n

If you count yourself among\u00a0these dreamers, congratulations on becoming one of us<\/del> I’ve got news for you, boy. No longer will you merely have to content yourself with lyrics about black hounds of vengeance ripping their prey to pieces, continually interrupted by a fist-pumping chorus. By the grace of the good people at DMR Books<\/strong> you can now actually read original\u00a0fantasy stories in Lovecraftian\/Robert E. Howardian vein, penned by your favorite metal lyricists.<\/p>\n

\"SwordsOfStelae\"<\/a>\u00a0\"SwordsOfSteele\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re reading this, it’s highly likely that you’re a metal music enthusiast, and as such the very fact that all of the featured writers are metal musicians should be its own appeal. First up is Byron A. Roberts. If you’re not familiar with his band, Bal-Sagoth<\/strong>, you’ve been missing out. Roberts’ lyrics have always been short stories ranging from Conan- like, evil witches rallying armies of chaos\u00a0to foolish archaeologists releasing malign gods and suffering the consequences. Bal-Sagoth is centered on Roberts acting these stories over the best fantasy-metal ever created, which makes him no newcomer – and you’ve got checking out to do.<\/p>\n

Kor-Avul-Thaa… finest jewel in the crown of a realm of sublime glory,
\ngreatest city in the Middle Kingdoms, mayhap all the world… Its splendid
\nwalls of shimmering crystal could be seen from a hundred leagues distant,
\nkissed by the golden rays of the sun, or caressed by the ethereal fingers of a
\nmidnight moon. Its magnificent spires and citadels, built by generations of
\nkings from the resplendent gifts hewn from the ancient bosom of the sacred
\nCrystal Mountains, had oft’ times been the bitter envy of rival emperors, and
\nmany were the sieges which Kor-Avul-Thaa had withstood and repulsed over the
\ncenturies, for powerful sorcerers did weave great spells of protection about
\nthe dazzling towers, and none may have passed unbidden through the vast
\nsapphir ean gates of mighty Kor-Avul-Thaa…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n