Welcome to Tales From the Metalnomicon, a column delving into the vast world of heavy metal-tinged/inspired literature and metalhead authors…
Some readers may recall Dustin LaValley’s memorable Metalnomicon bow a little over a year ago. We’ve invited the literary extremist back today to give us the lowdown on Swallowed: A Hypersexual Romance, his new novel of down n’ dirty heavy metal erotica, along with an exclusive soundtrack to crank while you’re you know, reading…
I have always let the story take me to where it wanted to be, never let genre(s) stand in the way. Whenever an idea comes along, I let it come naturally and wherever it falls when it’s finished being written is where I aim to have it published. In the past that’s been action, thriller, horror, comedy, drama… There has always been an aggressive stance at sexuality in my fiction. As a reader I noticed a lot of authors danced around it, like some taboo that is only to be thought, perhaps maybe muttered during sex, but never fully brought to light. Either these authors have incredibly boring sex lives or they are censoring themselves, keeping things nice and safe and plain, Puritan-like.
I had an idea to do a memoir, to keep nothing hidden and after some thought, decided that sex, illness and hardcore shows wasn’t much of a book, so I added in some fiction. Most of this book is true, I’ve taken certain liberties with it, but for the most part I’d say seventy-five percent is true to life. (I’ve never killed a man, but I’ve been on my deathbed.)
Wanting Swallowed to be as LaValley as LaValley could be, I stuck with the formula that I’ve been using for my more literary work, and that is: fuck with everything…
Mastodon, “Blood and Thunder” and “I Am Ahab”
This one was chosen due to the fact that the woman in chapter it’s listened to, was brought up in discussion when we met as she was wearing their t-shirt. From there we hit the jukebox and played some tracks from Leviathan.
Metallica, “Dyers Eve,” “One” and most of …And Justice For All
These tracks were usual go-tos for any bar I hit up with Ant, real name Tim. Mostly due to the fact that the album is on most jukeboxes and that “Dyers Eve” and “One” are fucking badass.
Suicidal Tendencies, “Go Skate!” and “Institutionalized”
Heavily played as a teen, skateboarding and riding BMX. When available they are thrown on for memory sake, and the crazy bass lines. Nowadays I find it’s mostly ’cause thrash really can’t be any better done than ST.
Down, “Stone the Crow”
Years ago when I discovered this band for myself, it was “Bury Me in Smoke” and I liked it, but then I heard “Stone the Crow” and I loved it. It’s a staple of bar visits for a game of pool.
Toadies, “Possum Kingdom”
I began listening to these guys at about twelve years-old. They remain a favorite of mine, they remind me of summer. When sex is on the horizon during summer they go together well.
Crowbar, “Existence is Punishment”
All epic scenes of violence once they have come to an end, should have their own theme. This is one.
Pantera, “Cemetery Gates”
How could I not? Legend.
Glassjaw, “Siberian Kiss” and Deftones, “7 Words”
Both are similar: teenage angst. Sometimes, no matter at what age you just have to say, “Fuck it, I may be an adult, but I’m still 15 at heart.” and pop in some teenage memories.
Helmet, “Sinatra” and Unsane, “Sick”
Noise rock. NYC noise rock. Doesn’t get any better and when both were main influences in style and taste entering society’s aim at adulthood, is a pretty good “Fuck you!” at what radio and music television want us to listen to. With Swallowed: A Hypersexual Romance being a “Fuck you!” at the publishing industry’s safety net, it’s proper both Helmet and Unsane be part of it all.
Gravediggaz, “1-800-Suicide”
Nothing is more smoothly poetic and dark than Gravediggaz at their best and this track is their finest. When delivering a line that needs some assistance, placing this rhythm in the readers head does just fine to create a flow. (All metal heads love rap, if they deny it…they’re kidding themselves.)
Guns N’ Roses, “My Michelle”
This is another I find at any bar I go to. My favorite from the album, and the lyrics also go along with the story a bit.
Black Sabbath, “The Wizard”
This is heavy metal. This is where stoner metal came from. This song is always on during tattoo sessions, and with the lyrics, seems to fit in well with some of the habits that befall our protagonist.
Alice Cooper, “Is It my Body?”
Used as a nod at an age gap, to shorten that gap and show that when it comes to sex, who care about fifteen or twenty years as long as you’re consenting adults. Have fun. Enjoy each other and enjoy learning a thing or two.
Mr. Bungle, “The Girls of Porn”
No song says, “Fucked up sex!” better and more masterful than this one from Mike Patton and his partners in smut.
Stone Temple Pilots, “Sex Type Thing”
While this song is suggested to be about rape, it’s used here as more of a “You did this because you know, I know, you want it…” way. A certain hypersexual, reoccurring partner of our protag, Dave, seems to have some fantasies that even Dave may find extreme.
Tiger Army (many songs)
Even hard-guys have a soft side. The tough-as-nails protag recalls the tender moments with his ex, the memories that haunt him, with orchards and rose gardens.
