A Great Trilogy!

Another awesome collection from Brian Barr! I love his work and this set doesn't disappoint! Each story can be listened to on it's own but they all have the grimoire in common and some things are best left alone. These are wonderfully entertaining short stories with a great narrator. Rick Gregory did an excellent job. He reads at a good pace and does excellent with the various voices.

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Spectator to Musician, The Grimoire Touches All

If you haven’t listened or read Brian Barr yet you are missing out. He has an incredible imagination and his short stories really show off his talent. While all of them are crazy and make you wonder what is going on in Barr’s mind, all of them are little gems. Metal Magic doesn’t disappoint either, especially for anyone who is a rocker. Each story takes the listener through different stages of rocker’s lives and each tell a different story about how the grimoire takes them over. Each one is separate yet tied to the grimoire. All three speak to me in a different way as each is coming from a different aspect in a rock band story. As someone who thought he could make it in a band these stories really grabbed me.
Out of the three stories I have to say the third was my favorite. The whole glam rock and succubus story knocked it out for me. You can read descriptions of each story so I won’t bore you with that. Just want to say that the third one coming from the mindset of a glam rock star hit every expectation I had. Barr nailed down the attitude of what I assume every rock star has and the way the story played out was perfect. As usual with his stories this is a bit over the top but that only makes it that much more fun. Each one is a really fun story and needs to be heard.
Rick Gregory does each story justice. He has a great voice that I thought really shined in the second story. He does all the characters superbly and I’m glad that Barr continues to use him for his stories. The pairing is magical.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

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5 people found this helpful

Rock on, rock out, don't rock devout!

If ever there were a series that extolled the inherent dangers of the demonic in metal music, you would need to look no further than metal magic to find it. Of the three stories, my favorite is the first, that is because you get all the build up and information about the grimoire of guitars and the unholy havoc it can wreak upon those who both play it and those that listen to the not so dulcet tones they produce. Book one, Metal Magic, is about a young man who finds his father's grimoire and learns that he pappy was an evil egocentrist who lived only to please himself. The grimoire opens opportunities that he would be better off not entertaining. Punk Pandemonium details what happens when concert goers get a demonic boost and do a little more than bang their heads. Damned in Glam is about a Bowie-esque rocker who is possessed by a succubus, and dares to try to break their pact.

I have said it in my original reviews, I want more. I want a longer length story, something that really focuses on the grimoire, as to me, that was the best part of the whole concept. A book of evil, malign, and malicious music that is on par with the necronomicon ex mortis of Evil Dead fame. Can't beat that concept. Not by a country mile. Not by a country mile with a creepy cabin in the woods that has a body in the basement.

All I can say is that this book made me glad I never became a roadie.

Rick Gregory's narration is spot on perfect, and hits you ears like it was aimed with a laser scope. He knows how to tune in and turn out some serious story stuff. I have enjoyed him in everything he has done, while his voice is pleasant and easy t listen to he can certainly turn up the creep factor when called to do so!

Overall this is a fun collection, and while books two and three tend towards the more gorey aspects Metal Magic is more psychological, so you get a good blend of true horror. I highly suggest that you pick up this collection, as it is well worth your time!! Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.

If this review helped, please press the YES below. Thank you immensely!!!

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2 people found this helpful

Occult Classic

This takes me back to Black Sabbath albums and Hellraiser movies. Three stories about the lure of evil due to it's forbidden nature or promise of fame, and the inevitable demise of those that seek it. The magic grimoires that connect these stories is a Pandora's box that can only be opened by the power of music.
I enjoyed the narration of Rick Gregory. I will definately be checking out some of the other authors he reads for as well.

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Comedic Horror Trilogy!

Although this is horror, it will certainly make you laugh. Magic through heavy metal music and lots of gore. This isn't really for a younger audience or the squeamish. It's definitely for horror fans and people with a sick sense of humor! Excellent narration by Rick Gregory!

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Loved it!

This was a great feat of imagination, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I've listened to one other short trilogy by this author, and I have to say he has a wonderful talent for drawing you into a story. This series is characterized by various metalheads getting themselves into some really scary situations, and for me, the hard rock backdrop provides a great setting. It brings back memories of the same music I grew up with, before musicians turned into a bunch of . . . well, maybe I'd better just leave it there. Could it be I'm just getting old? (Cough . . . Justin Bieber. Cough . . . post-Millennial pop).

Anyway, if you have any interest in the music of this time period, or just like great, non-whiny horror, you really shouldn't miss this. I just wish Brian Barr would write some longer fiction! (Or maybe he could just have a talk with Justin Bieber.)

I received this audiobook for free at my request and bought the Kindle version myself to go with it. I have voluntarily left this review. It is totally worth the price.

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6 people found this helpful

AWESOME!! ROCK N ROLL!!

Very cool trilogy!! I'm a child of the 80's (graduated '86) so I was super interested from the get-go. This is my first delving into the mind of Brian Barr, and I loved it! 3 unique tales but universally connected through guitarist grimoire. Metal and mayhem ensues. If you are a rock fan and a horror fan, you're gonna love this series! I sure did :) Great writing and narration, I was captivated the entire time. Interesting writing style but love it!! Rock n Roll!!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Metal Magic Trilogy

These three stories will grab your attention and keep you entertained all the way to the end. Each one brings you a new and exciting world full of magic and mayhem. I enjoyed each story and found that the characters had depth and emotion. Music and magic go hand in hand in these tales, add in the horror aspect and you have an enjoyable adventure. Narrator Rick Gregory gives life to these characters and pulls listeners right in to the world of forbidden magic.

I received this audiobook at my request and I voluntarily wrote a review.

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The metal grimoires unite!

Three awesome short stories all in one package! Each with it's unique twists and dark circumstances. All in Brain Barr's unique dark and gory style. Great trilogy for a sit down mini marathon. Recommended.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Awesome to have all 3 in the same audio book!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

So, I listened and reviewed these individually the first time, so was excited/happy to do so for them bundled together. Here are my individual reviews of all three:

Metal Magic - Short, metal-themed, humorous horror story. The narrator was a bit nasal, but I thought he did a good enough job on such a short audio book. I do wish it was a longer because it didn't have enough build up or character development.

Punk Pandemonium - This was a short follow up to Metal Magic, a metal-themed and humorous horror story. Basically, this book has a Punk musician finding the magic book and rearranging the chords to fit his style of music. This results in different effects from the first book which was interesting. For what it is, this is pretty entertaining.

Damned in Glam - This third installment of the Metal Magic series, finds you with a demon summoning rocker who is wreakign havoc. It was neat to follow the premise through different forms of rock/metal music where the results differ with the style of music. It's the longest, and best in my opinion, of the series.

Bundled together, this really worked for me. I thought it made for a more enjoyable experience over listening to them individually. By In large, I think this is due to them being so short. I think this is definitely a short and fun trilogy that is worth checking out.

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