“Metaldata,” released last year, is a unique bibliography of heavy metal resources. The volume, co-authored by UNCG’s Dr. Guy Capuzzo and Dr. Sonia Archer-Capuzzo, will help music librarians build collections of resources, and help researchers in numerous fields.
The book contains lists of biographies on metal musicians, guidance on useful instructional materials related to the genre, and other resources. “This is the only book of its kind on heavy metal and librarianship,” says Clinical Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science Archer-Capuzzo.
Research may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of heavy metal, but it’s a popular area of study. “Heavy metal is researched from a lot of perspectives and in many disciplines,” Capuzzo says.
The professor of music, who published a 2012 book on American composer Elliott Carter, currently conducts research on rock and heavy metal. “It’s simultaneously a little goofy and also a rich area of music scholarship.”
Archer-Capuzzo, who specializes in music librarianship and cataloging, adds that “Metaldata” has already become valuable to those working to build heavy metal resource collections.
“Music librarians have been telling me that they are thrilled to have something that guides them when they collect materials and help patrons conduct research.”
The spouses’ book is seeding new opportunities for others as well.
“Our book’s organization is already being used as a model for other popular music-focused bibliographies being proposed for the A-R Editions’ Index and Bibliography Series series.”
Story by Hope Voorhees
Photography by Jewel Oates
