Dying Fetus/Misery Index founding member JASON NETHERTON isn’t exactly who you would call an old school Death Metal veteran. Still, he’s been a part of the scene long enough to justify his contribution to the history writing of our favorite music in the form of EXTREMITY RETAINED. The book is a collection of anecdotes and stories told by the protagonist’s of the early scene as well as some of Death Metal’s younger generation. On almost 500 pages, Netherton comprises the words of underground celebrities like Paul Speckmann, Ola Lindgren, Marc Grewe, King Fowley, Kam Lee, Mitch Harris, Tony Lazaro to just name a few. Separated into five chapters (Origins; Scenes from the past; Studio, performance and albums; Touring and the road; Then, now, and beyond) we read memories of legendary gigs, alcoholic excesses, the recordings of classic albums and tours across the globe in shitty vans mixed with all sort of random bullshit. Of course, there’s a lot of old man’s whining about how great the scene once was and how the internet has killed everything involved (which is basically the same thing I do on this crappy little website all day). Nonetheless, EXTREMITY RETAINED is an extremely fun and also informative read for anyone who cals himself a Death Metal fan. A few black and white pages full of old photos, flyers and stuff make the nostalgic experience perfect. 

Vernichtungsschmerz