So I just finished rereading Seb Hunter’s Hell Bent for Leather: Confessions of a Heavy Metal Addict. I first got my hands on it in 2007, and I loved it. You could say it does for heavy metal what Steve Almond’s Candyfreak does for candy: that is, serve as a highly entertaining introduction to—and immersion in—a subject that may or may not be considered book-worthy by the general public, but which matters a great deal indeed to a certain slightly unhinged subculture.

More to the point, these books are good enough that, for at least a short while, they make the author’s particular obsessions our own as well. (Interestingly enough, Steve Almond also wrote a book called My Life in Heavy Metal. But it’s just a collection of short stories.) As a book of this sort, though—funny, autobiographical, informative, opinionated—Hell Bent for Leather is the superior read, as there are no embarrassing stabs at lyrical profundity and Bigger Subjects.

When Hunter does stray from delivering amusing anecdotes and observations to hit us with something more serious, he does it matter-of-factly, but with genuine impact, as when he relates the aftermath of a bad acid experience, or tosses off a line about the desperate redemptive power of a sliver of hope.

Described as “half memoir, half Heavy Metal primer,” Hell Bent works great bits like “How to Dress Metal” (which includes a sidebar on metal band logos), a guide to Thrash/ Death/ Speed/ Black Metal (“Slayer couldn’t do a ballad if you sprinkled their breakfast cereal with ecstasy and sleeping pills and locked them in a room with just harps”), and a gallery of electric guitars into its autobiographical narrative, which in itself would have been engaging enough.

Even at over 300 pages, Hell Bent seems to end too abruptly, even though it does end at the logical point: with the rise of grunge and the death of the metal scene (and another death, much closer to home, as well). As soon as I turned the last page (I got the special “P.S.” edition, which has 16 extra pages of “insights, interviews and more,” yay!), I hit the Net to find out what Hunter—whom I had never heard of before I picked up this book—is up to these days.

Apparently he’s written a few more books since, including ROCK ME AMADEUS: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Handel, which suggests that his musical tastes have shifted, or expanded at least. Also, he has a website (www.sebhunter.com), where you can, among other things, download mp3s by his bands, which adds a whole ‘nother dimension to your Hell Bent for Leather experience.

I have to admit, when I was reading Hell Bent, I imagined from his self-deprecating descriptions that his bands would sound much, much worse. Um, not that the music is universe-conquering genius or anything. For a taste of Hunter’s heavy metal insights, read his “10 Steps to Heavy Metal Stardom” online. (Search the observer.guardian.co.uk site for it.) Regarding #10, I will say that his assessment of Justin Hawkins’ quick-witted banter is spot on, having had the pleasure of interviewing The Darkness’ lead singer for a local magazine a couple of years ago. He had no qualms about dissing the UK music press, Quentin Tarantino, or, indeed, anyone.

Hunter’s latest book is not strictly concerned with matters musical, however. “My fourth book is called HOW TO BE A BETTER PERSON, and follows my attempts to improve myself through doing as much volunteer work as possible over a two year period.” Sounds interesting. “It’s been an ODYSSEY,” he adds. “Like Homer’s, only with more pensioners.”

BOB’S EXHIBIT. You should really check out Bobby Balingit’s art exhibit, which is “a continuing saga in his Juan Isip series (which also involves performance art, poetry, and music; an album entitled Juan Isip has been released some years back). “Juan Isip is the journey of the spirit-soul,” Balingit says. Music mavens know that Balingit is the frontman of “seminal Pinoy punk trio The Wuds, which first exploded in the early ‘80s via Twisted Red Cross records and punk anthems such as ‘Inosente Lang ang Nagtataka’ and ‘At Nakalimutan ang Diyos’.” The exhibit opened on November 13, 2009 at the Blue Room Art Gallery, 1354 Lacuna corner Apolinario, Bangkal, Makati City.

Send comments and questions to Luis at thekingofnothingtodo@yahoo.com.