An interview with Mean Deviation author Jeff Wagner

jeff-wagner-author-photoAuthor Jeff Wagner recently released his book Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal through Bazillion Points. I reviewed it late last month on the site – I enjoyed it, but found it so in-depth that it was a little difficult to absorb. Wagner was kind enough to speak with me by phone earlier this week. We discussed the book and its reception, as well as the process of putting all those bands in perspective.

You can find more information about the book at its Facebook page or contact Jeff Wagner directly via e-mail: wagner at mean dash deviation dot com. Bazillion Points also made the book’s fifth chapter, “Passing the Threshold,” available as a PDF yesterday, which you can read and preview here.

Download the interview with Mean Deviation author Jeff Wagner.

Though interesting, Mean Deviation a morass of names and genres

book-cover-mean-deviationJeff Wagner, former editor of Metal Maniacs, has produced an invaluable compendium with his new book, Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal. The history of prog metal starts with the genesis of progressive rock back in the late ’60s with the appearance of King Crimson, and moves all the way through, right up to the modern era, with bands such as Between the Buried and Me and Mastodon, “bands whose histories are still very much in the making.”
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A history of prog metal on the way from Bazillion Points

book-cover-mean-deviationThis November, Bazillion Points will release Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal, by Jeff Wagner. The book will focus on the history of the prog metal genre, and covers a lot of ground:

Beginning with 1970s progressive rock acts Rush and King Crimson, MEAN DEVIATION unfurls a colorful tapestry of sounds and styles, from the “Big Three” of 1980s prog metal-Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater-to extreme pioneers Voivod, Watchtower, and Arcturus. As sparks of inspiration spread to obscure outposts in Scandinavia, Florida, and Japan, progressive metal burst into full creative flame with the successes of prog metal overlords Opeth, Meshuggah, Tool, Between the Buried and Me, and many others.

We’ve got a copy coming to Rock Star Journalist, and we’ll have a review for you to check out soon enough. Suffice it to say, we know you’re probably going to buy it anyway (we know that prog fans are loyal bunch), so you can pre-order it from Bazillion Points and get a free button/badge for your denim jacket.