Wilkes-Barre, Pa., April 26, 2022—King’s College philosophy professor William D. Irwin, Ph.D., had his new book, The Meaning of Metallica: Ride the Lyrics, published last week by ECW Press. The book is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on the band’s lyrics.
As noted in the book’s description, The Meaning of Metallica is "a thematic tour de force that traces Hetfield’s lyrical development across the decades" that “examines everything from deep cuts like ‘Confusion’ to megahits like ‘Enter Sandman,’ and provides a close reading of lyrics dense with details and rich with allusions.”
"As a leading voice about popular culture, William Irwin and his book have shown that serious people should take Metallica seriously," said Michael Holmes, executive editor at ECW Press.
In addition to serving as the Herve A. LeBlanc Distinguished Service Professor at King’s, Irwin is a literary critic and heavy metal scholar. His other notable works include Metallica and Philosophy, Seinfeld and Philosophy, The Simpsons and Philosophy, and The Matrix and Philosophy. Irwin’s works have also been featured on the New York Times Best Seller list.
"For nearly 40 years Metallica's music has provided the soundtrack of my life and the lives of millions of others,” remarked Irwin. “The band's poetic and therapeutic lyrics have lighted the way through dark times."
The Meaning of Metallica: Ride the Lyrics is available for purchase from major distributors, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.