This has to be one of the most enjoyable enlightening books I have ever read that taught me so much more about my home City of Sheffield. It covers many of the main bands and countless others that didn't make it to the major league as well as the numerous well known pubs, clubs and venues that housed so many amazing gigs and rock and metal nights in general. What makes the book even better are the quotes and interview snippets from bands, sheffield rockers and metalheads who frequented the places on a regular basis who all give you their personal memoirs of why the times were so magical.

I love the fact that it's got personal friends in there such as DJ Lez, The Bailey Brothers, Buffy & Sass, DJ Mutley as well as pix of many others such as my work buddy Leighton Stead in his glam days & my mate Sue Palmer too - if only we could have those days back before the scene changed and got stagnent because of the grunge scene - no point complaining as they are what they are - but those women appear to been better looking in those days - or so the pix make out - hahaha.

It is incredibly well written and researched as well and it's impossible to get bored with any section since they are well constructed and not too long either. Highlights of the book include the history of how the Wapentake came to be with Olga Marshall; the making of rock nights like Drop and the coming of the Coporation; not to mention excellent accounts of how Rebels Nightclub & bRoxy on a Monday night came to be and how the Bailey Brothers went from being miners to MTV VJ's - and let's not forget pubs like The Yorkshireman and The Sportsmen and how they were involved in the scene who are documented in the book too. Of course, no book about Sheffield would be complete without a section on locals Def Leppard, Saxon and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden.

Even me and Metalliville.com get a mention in the book as well - you can't top that can you? I am looking forward to reading other books by Neil - credit to him for placing it all together with his masterful team. Here's to Sheffield Metal for the future! Hail Steel City and all the people who made it what it has been for the last few decades!!

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

Books can be purchased via http://www.acmretro.com & http://www.allcreditmedia.com