“The Devil’s Cradle: The Story of Finnish Black Metal” by Tero Ikäheimonen [Book Review]

In The Devil’s Cradle: The Story of Finnish Black Metal Tero Ikäheimonen takes an in-depth look at the Finnish Black Metal scene, from its inception in the early 80’s to present time. I am well aware of the major contributions that Finland has made to the extreme metal world with bands such as Children of Bodom, Korpiklaani and a whole litany of others. What I was not aware of, though, is that Finland plays a decent size role in the evolution of the Black Metal scene as well.

For me, when I think of Black Metal I automatically think of Norway; however, through tons of interviews with bands like Impaled Nazarene, Saturnian Mist, and Cosmic Mist, combined with firsthand accounts and historical facts, Ikäheimonen weaves together a timeline that reads almost like a blackened family tree.

Along the way, the book does a good job of highlighting not only the bands and their struggle to get their music out, but it also, at least I feel, does a good job explaining the philosophy and lifestyle of these Black Metal artists. In the end, I think more than any other genre, Black Metal is a lifestyle and the true artists live and breathe it and while yes, a good amount of it leans toward the darker side of the spectrum, at the core, it’s about nature and individuality as well.

Full disclosure, as a lifelong metal head but sort of an outsider to the Black Metal scene, at times I felt the book got a little bogged down with details and facts and I had a bit of difficulty following along. In the end, though, I walked away with a better understanding and appreciation for this Finnish scene.

Written by: Tero Ikäheimonen
Publisher: Svart Publishing (November 3, 2017)
Format/Length: Hardcover, 556 pages