Description
Black Sabbath is one of the world's most influential and enduring rock bands. Dubbed "the Beatles of heavy metal" by Rolling Stone, they helped to define a genre with classic songs like "Paranoid", "Iron Man", and "War Pigs", songs whose lyrics reveal hidden depth and philosophical insight. Their songs confront existential despair, social instability, political corruption, the horrors of war, and the nature of evil. This book explores the wide range of profound ideas in the band's music and lyrics to help you understand Black Sabbath as never before.
- Discusses and debates essential Black Sabbath topics and themes, such as the problem of evil, "War Pigs" and the nature of just war theory, whether or not Sabbath is still Sabbath without Ozzy, and whether "evil is in the ear of the beholder"
- Gives you new perspectives on Black Sabbath's music and lyrics
- Provides a deeper appreciation and understanding of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ronnie James Dio
- Brings some of history's heaviest thinkers to bear on the band's music, from Aristotle and Nietzsche to Schopenhauer and Marx
So . . . can you help me, occupy my brain? Yes! Start reading Black Sabbath and Philosophy.
About the Author
William Irwin is professor of philosophy at King's College in Pennsylvania. Irwin originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books with Seinfeld and Philosophy in 1999. Irwin has also co-edited The Simpsons and Philosophy and edited The Matrix and Philosophy and Metallica and Philosophy. He is currently the General Editor of The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series.
Reviews
"This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, shedding a lot of light on the members, music, and society with regards to everything from religion to family." (Sacramento Book Review, 1 June 2013)
"This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, shedding a lot of light on the members, music, and society with regards to everything from religion to family." (City Book Review, 1 March 2013)
"Black Sabbath & Philosophy is a wholly absorbing read large . . . A long-overdue work, and a rewarding one both for fans and those curious about the philosophical gravity behind all those murky riffs." (PopMatters, 11 January 2013)
"Much like Black Sabbath themselves, this wide-ranging, amusing book entertains and makes your brain ache in equal measure." (Record Collector, 1 December 2012)
"A book to dip into, that will get you thinking and almost certainly have you going back and listening to your old Black Sabbath albums in a different light. Highly recommended." (Get Ready to Rock, 20 November 2012)
Book Information
ISBN 9781118397596
Author William Irwin
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint John Wiley & Sons Inc
Publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc
Weight(grams) 299g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
