A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa by Chris Armold

A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa Reviews

• 
  Nick

  There are so many things wrong with this book. First the good, though. I was glad to see this, being that you never hear about the non-famous people who died on that night. Very sad for them and their families. Now the bad: Over-dramatized, this book includes the author's step by step account of what Dimebag's murderer did in the moments leading up to the killing. Did not like that. This book also serves to further demonize Phil Anselmo. It raises the possibility that Gale was influenced by Anselmo's trash-talking. I've been to countless Superjoint Ritual shows, and heard him say a number of things that are in this book and guess what? Dimebag and Phil were fighting. Yep. Two good friends and bandmates were fighting. It's happened, especially in good bands that have very talented people with huge egos. Like Pink Floyd. Like Black Sabbath. And others. No one expected this murder to occur. So they were squabbling and Dime was killed in the middle of it. Phil loved Dime and I believe it should be easy to imagine how that feels, to not only lose a brother but to lose him under those circumstances, in the middle of a very public conflict. Point all the fingers and raise all the theories you want, 'Chris A', but your book is a piece of garbage that I'm returning tomorrow. Other than informative pictures and respect to the deceased, this book just made me sick.
• 
  Fishface

  A great read. Really helps you understand what happened and why the day "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was murdered, and who everyone was. The moment when Officer Niggemeyer faced down the armed man with a hostage and the author managed to summarize all the feelings and pressures facing him at that moment in a short paragraph -- he really brought it all together astoundingly well. Heavily illustrated and full of anecdotes that help you understand what was lost when these four people died. The tremendous cooperation of everyone involved should help change some people's minds about rock music fans, I hope. Well worth a read if you admire bravery, heroism and humility.
• 
  Navarra

  Quite decent account of terrible tragedy.
  
  Even non-fans of metal such as myself will find it difficult not to appreciate the profundity of this story and its place in Metal history. While the summation contained a couple of speculations; and perhaps, one hasty inference from Columbine about parenting, the account was crafted with a view to responsibly researched and written history.
• 
  Carlos Martinez

  A gripping, in depth look like no other.
  
  My favorite band of all time, Pantera, is one I never saw or will get to see live. I have to live vicariously through the interviews, taped live concerts, photos, music videos and books. This book provides a gripping in depth look like no other. I picked this book up looking to read about Dimebag Darrell. Instead I found myself wanting to learn more about the victims and their tales. Even learning about Nathan Gale, the man responsible for murdering my all time favorite guitarist, was informative beyond what I thought I'd be willing to learn. By the end, having dived into the lives the victims, made the Alrosa tragedy that much more painful. Any Pantera fan should pick this up. 5/5
• 
  Jon Pacella

  I was absolutely blown away by this book. Chris A, instead of the predictable "story of the killer", or "homage to the fallen rock star" decides to tell the story of the other forgotten victims of the Alrosa Villa shooting. The chapter where he took us step by step into the actual shooting was eye-opening and truly gave me chills. That chapter actually cleared up some common misconceptions about the incident (regarding club security, and other details of the shooting).
  
  I will say that while Chris A is not the most polished author on the bookshelf, his passion for the book and subject matter really shone through. The fan recollections throughout the book ("Dime Time") were cool to read as well.
• 
  Greg

  An in-depth look at the Columbus night club shooting in which Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott was killed by a crazed former fan. The author provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the shooting as well as the shooting itself.
  
  Readers who appreciate heavy metal history as well as anyone looking for insights into the mind of an active shooter will appreciate this book.
• 
  Catherine

  This book put a human side to the others killed that night. Fame often eclipse the “little guys" but not so with this book.
  
  I recently watched a documentary of this awful event. What a very tragic event. Very heart breaking!
• 
  Stephanie

  This was hard for me to read, very detailed, but the Author is a wonderful guy( i know personally) who just needed to get the truth out there.
• 
  Erin Mumford-huggins

  Not at all what I was expecting. A very touching book about all the lives taken that night. I cried!
• 
  Jaylene Batman

  Great read. Could not put it down
• 
  Sharon

  I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend