Just got "Lifting Shadows". Extraordinary!

[Rafael Guerra]

I finally ordered and received "Lifting Shadows" today. I just had time to read around 5 chapters (The two first ones, the one about SDOIT and the ones about SC and BC&SL). First of all, I want to thanks Rich Wilson for writing this masterpiece; and secondly, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts SO FAR and see what you guys think about it:

01. LaBrie is a hero. Either back in 2002 or in the studio sessions for BC&SL, it was clear to me that in some moments things got pretty tense in the band...He barely did not participate in the writing process of BC&SL and it must be hard for someone that has been so involved in the band since the early 90's to gradually see his role in the band become less important. Even in terms of vocals, I had the impression he wasn't being an unanimity in the band anymore. I am not against Mike though, as all the members agree, everything is for the greater good of the fans and for the best outcome in the record; that is how the chemistry works. I think it is totally fine and acceptable, they should know how to run the band better than any of us...what I do find impressive though, is how LaBrie handled all this very well, just swallowing it up, moving on and being satisfied in the end of the day. Hero.

02. A different perspective on Systematic Chaos. I don't know guys...but after reading the chapter about systematic chaos and reading the members talk about external band influences, for some odd reason, I just started to like the album more. I just started to realize how difficult it is to take the decisions Mike take, for example. Also, the album made they grow so much...they deserved it.

03. Information I had no idea about. Like the China concert one...I had no idea they had a "blacklist" of places and had no idea they hated playing in there. Maybe I was just tuned off and didn't care too much about them when they were on tour back then. Another really interesting fact I did not know about was how Mustaine, Hetfield and some other artists were invited to talk in Repentance...and refused.

So yeah...I'm really digging this book and if you don't have it, you should, cause its amazing (although Im sure a LOT of people in here already have it). Those are just my thoughts so far and I hope it wasn't too lengthy or too "cool story broish". I would be curious to see what you guys would think about those topics mentioned above...or just other Lifting Shadows fun stuff.

[Global Laziness]

I'm really jealous...I'd really love to read that book but I've never had a chance to pick one up.

[Rafael Guerra]

I'm really jealous...I'd really love to read that book but I've never had a chance to pick one up.

I totally understand. I didn't include this in the original post cause it was already too long, but as a matter of fact I just got it now cause I've been in California the whole summer, so I just got it to my address in here. Reality is, I am not brave enough to face the Venezuelan Mailing system and hopelessly wait for months until the book arrives. Anyways, hope you eventually get a chance to pick up a copy. 

[Global Laziness]

I just took a look at the site...they're sold out of the new edition right now.

[DarkEternalNight]

I contacted the author a few months ago and he said that Amazon was supposed to be selling a paperback edition this Summer. Haven't seen it yet. I'm dying to read this book.

[ZBomber]

I was gonna order it when it came out, but the shipping was ridiculous, so I still haven't read the book. 

[Gadough]

Does it specify as to why Hetfield and Mustaine refused? That's got me curious.

[ZBomber]

Does it specify as to why Hetfield and Mustaine refused? That's got me curious.

Are they even friends with DT at all? Seems like they would have a "holier-than-thou" attitude and probably not care enough about the band to do a guest appearance.

But I didn't read the book so I'm just taking a shot in the dark.

[AcidLameLTE]

I just took a look at the site...they're sold out of the new edition right now.

Wow. Already?

They were sold out in June, came back in stock quite recently and now they're sold out again

[Silver Tears]

I just started reading it yesterday.

Thanks Harry 

[Sigz]

So I haven't been paying attention to this at all since the first edition. What's been added since then?

[Silver Tears]

I don't know but Harry said they've added a good chunk to it since his edition.

[AcidLameLTE]

I just started reading it yesterday.

Thanks Harry 

No problem

[robwebster]

Does it specify as to why Hetfield and Mustaine refused? That's got me curious.

Are they even friends with DT at all? Seems like they would have a "holier-than-thou" attitude and probably not care enough about the band to do a guest appearance.

But I didn't read the book so I'm just taking a shot in the dark.

Megadeth definitely are. Co-headlined Gigantour and everything. No idea about Metallica, but hey.

I really need to get hold of this. I haven't yet been able to justify the price, though. It sounds utterly fantastic.

[Pirate]

Goddamn do I want this book. Too bad I can't find it anywhere.

[Rich Wilson]

Hey

I think there might be some limited editions left at www.liftingshadows.com but I haven't checked back there in a while. The "classic" edition hardback is sold out. There will be a paperback coming out soon - as always with these things there are delays - but I hope to have news on this soon. Best way is to "like" Dream Theater Book Lifting Shadows over on Facebook as that's the first place I'll update. But when I have more news I will post here.

More importantly, thanks for the compliments - I really appreciate it.

Right, got to chase those publishers . . .

Cheers
Rich

[robwebster]

Hey

I think there might be some limited editions left at www.liftingshadows.com but I haven't checked back there in a while. The "classic" edition hardback is sold out. There will be a paperback coming out soon - as always with these things there are delays - but I hope to have news on this soon. Best way is to "like" Dream Theater Book Lifting Shadows over on Facebook as that's the first place I'll update. But when I have more news I will post here.

More importantly, thanks for the compliments - I really appreciate it.

Right, got to chase those publishers . . .

Cheers
Rich

I just had a little look on the Lifting Shadows site - they're in stock, but just out of my price range.

Although, I'm tempted to throw caution to the wind and treat myself. I ended up, after going "hmm... naw, little too much," reading through the short chapter summaries, and each one hooked me. That said, though, I throw caution to the wind and treat myself for no reason far more often than I should. It's worth the price tag, I'm sure, perfectly well priced... I just don't have that much money in the bank.

But I'm tempted. Constantly tempted. I'm 50:50.

...But it IS a limited edition. And there are only a few in stock.

[ZBomber]

I'll probably pick it up when the paperback edition comes out.

But damn... 15+ dollars to ship to the US. Still can't get over that. 

[robwebster]

It's ordered.

I'm an idiot. But a happy idiot.

[hefdaddy42]

Does it specify as to why Hetfield and Mustaine refused? That's got me curious.

It probably just sounded like something they didn't particularly want to do.  No big deal.

[TL]

I really want to read this, but $65+ CAD is a little pricey. I guess I'll wait for the paperback.

[Mebert78]

Lifting Shadows is the bomb diggity.  I got it for Christmas.  However, I feel like it was too soon for DT to discuss such recent history, like SC and BC&SL.  It's OK to discuss the 1980s-90s, but they need to let recent history and albums settle more to offer a proper look at it.  I would've been content if the book ended with the climactic concert at Radio City Music Hall, which was like five years ago now.  I also feel like MP too brazenly hammers a few people at times in the book instead of taking a more tactful approach.  Nevertheless, it was all well written by RW.  I loved reading about the early days.  Good stuff.  I couldn't put it down and read the whole thing in a couple of days.

[Rina]

I wanna read. 

When it comes out on paperback we shall see....

[Dr. DTVT]

IIRC, I got my copy on th DT Fanfire website.  Granted, that was the first ed., and sorry, but I'm not shelling out for a new ed. every time.

[MykeHavoc]

I got the first edition from the fanfire page. Peeved that I didn't get the CD with it, but it is a great read. I've been wanting to sell my first edition and get the 2nd one. I'll have to wait till the paperback comes out.

[Gadough]

Does it specify as to why Hetfield and Mustaine refused? That's got me curious.

It probably just sounded like something they didn't particularly want to do.  No big deal.

Yeah, you're probably right. The way he worded it is what got me curious - that they "refused", not "declined". But whatever, I'm probably reading too much into it.

[Rafael Guerra]

Does it specify as to why Hetfield and Mustaine refused? That's got me curious.

It probably just sounded like something they didn't particularly want to do.  No big deal.

Yeah, you're probably right. The way he worded it is what got me curious - that they "refused", not "declined". But whatever, I'm probably reading too much into it.

Yeah, sorry about that. I'm not a very good writer. Its more like they declined. I don't know if they told MP why they didn't or not, but that's not even that relevant. I just thought it was interesting that there were more people added to the list of voices in the song, I thought everyone was precisely selected and had to read whatever text was given to then. Turns out they had to apologize for whatever they wanted.

[TL]

IIRC, I got my copy on th DT Fanfire website.  Granted, that was the first ed., and sorry, but I'm not shelling out for a new ed. every time.

That's a valid point. How often will there be a revision? If it's often, such as every time DT release a new album, people who bought an earlier edition may feel jilted.

[Nic35]

Ordered mine since they went on sale. This is indeed a very interesting read.

[Setlist Scotty]

[Are they even friends with DT at all?

All the guys in Metallica are friends with at least MP - how close with the rest of the band, I dunno, but MP and Lars know each other pretty well.

I feel like it was too soon for DT to discuss such recent history, like SC and BC&SL.  It's OK to discuss the 1980s-90s, but they need to let recent history and albums settle more to offer a proper look at it.  I would've been content if the book ended with the climactic concert at Radio City Music Hall, which was like five years ago now.  I also feel like MP too brazenly hammers a few people at times in the book instead of taking a more tactful approach. 

I'm glad you like the book, but I disagree with your points. To not include the recent history would seem a bit odd - why overlook what has happened in the last few years because it was too recent? Maybe they'll have a better perspective in a few years of what happened with SC and BCaSL, but that's not where they're at right now. And as for MP's thoughts on a few select individuals, I'd rather he share his thoughts in a straightforward manner instead of sugar-coating it like happens so often.

[contest_sanity]

So I haven't been paying attention to this at all since the first edition. What's been added since then?

For Sigz and anyone else who asked what's different in the 2nd edition, some things include:

-chapter on Black Clouds (obviously)
-more details in the SC chapter
-final chapter covering all of the side projects in very meticulous detail (this chapter alone almost justifies getting the new edition)
-new, interesting tidbits not included in the original: like the story of how "Lie" was originally part of the "The Mirror" until JLB suggested making it into a different song
-interview with the "Space-Dye Vest" girl (ok -- I'm joking on that one.  Rich was very thorough but not that thorough).

I bought both editions and don't regret getting the 2nd one at all.  Now, if a new edition continues to be put out after every album, I can't keep up with that pace.  Honestly, I think it would be cool if they could offer like a download of the new chapters to people who have purchased previous editions.

[Rafael Guerra]

-interview with the "Space-Dye Vest" girl (ok -- I'm joking on that one.  Rich was very thorough but not that thorough).

I confess it took me at least 5 minutes to understand that.

[KevShmev]

 And as for MP's thoughts on a few select individuals, I'd rather he share his thoughts in a straightforward manner instead of sugar-coating it like happens so often.

There is something to be said for that, but his cheap shot at Kevin Moore in the book's Foreword is just that: a cheap shot.  That didn't need to be said.  Speaking straight forward is one thing, but whenever Kevin Moore comes up in any interview or something with him, he almost always takes the low road.

[Rich Wilson]

Just to set the record straight on a few things and clarify the different versions of the book!

The first edition was the two book, "Images and Words" set which came with a CD. The was released in 2007 and was limited to 7000 copies. That sold out pretty much straight away.

Shortly afterwards, there was a paperback version of the "words" section of the first edition. This was supplied to the band to be sold on tour / via Fanfire. There were about 1000 copies of these and these are all sold out.

At the end of last year, we released a standard hardback version of the book. The original intention was that this was to be released in early 2008, but due to various reasons it got delayed. That at least gave me the chance to update the text in a big way, adding details in from missed interviewees I couldnt track down for the first edition as well as the side projects chapter. This book was released in two formats - one is a limited edition of 2000 with red leather cover and individually signed by me and the other is a "classic edition" which is a standard hardback. I understand that the only one left in stock is the red leather edition of which there are a handful of copies still available.

By the end of the year there will be a paperback version released which will in all probability be available via Amazon.

I have no intention of allowing the publishers to release a version of the book each time there is an album out. I will update it and there might be future releases but I honestly can't see me doing this for a number of years - perhaps in 5 years time to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary!! There are other projects I'm working on which will take up much of my time before then . . .

[Global Laziness]

Sounds good, Rich! I think I speak for a lot of us here when I say that we're looking forward to the paperback!