"Death Metal is among the most despised forms of violently themed entertainment. Many politicians, conservative groups and typical Americans attribute youth violence and the destruction of social values to such entertainment. The usual assumptions about the Death Metal scene and its fans have rarely been challenged. This book investigates the demographic trends, philosophical beliefs, ethical systems, and behavioral patterns that situate Death Metal in the larger social order. The Death Metal community is a useful microcosm for much of American subculture and lends insight into the psychological and social functions of many forbidden entertainment forms. The author's analysis, rich in interviews with rock stars, radio hosts, and adolescent fans, provides a key to comprehending deviant tendencies in modern American culture."--BOOK JACKET.