Source: Bravewords.com

Metaldudes Cats Book is a photography book dedicated to the creative and incredible people within the metal music scene and their cats. This book is intended to not only celebrate the beauty of the people photographed (and their adorable kitties), but also to transcend the judgement placed on the metal scene, which sometimes is characterized as violent, hateful and misanthropic.

Once published, proceeds from the book will go toward no-kill cat shelters along the West Coast. With support from dedicated animal advocates such as Greg Ginn, Donald Tardy, Gitane Demone, and artist Christophe Szpajdel, Metaldudes Cats Book shows that while the music may be brutal, depressive, or extreme, the people in the scene are amazingly compassionate and affectionate, especially towards their pets.

ISIS, XASTHUR, ATRIARCH, BLACK GOAT, BOOK OF BLACK EARTH, HARASSOR, LORD TIME, SKELETONWITCH, KING DUDE, MORBID ANGEL, ANHEDONIST, THRONES, LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HOLY GRAIL, NAUSEA, EXHUMED, PHOBIA, MURDER CONSTRUCT, CATTLE DECAPITATION, and GYPSYHAWK are only a few of the bands that have already volunteered to be photographed with their kitties.

Alexandra Crockett began the Metaldudes Cats Book project in 2010 when she decided to ask her cat-loving, metal-loving friends if they would be interested in a photo project. Their reaction: excitement and delight.

“The metal scene has long been thought of as a culture of people who are into dark, depressing, even disturbing imagery and deas. I believe that in a lot of ways, these portrayals have spilled over into judgments of people’s character as well. In general, these judgments are not only negative, but also incorrect. This, of course, can also be said of the portrayal of men in our society.”

Alexandra has done over 110 in-person photoshoots up and down the West Coast. Incredibly, she has done this all by herself. Over 300 photos from all over the world have been submitted, and a number of benefit metal shows for no-kill cat shelters in Metaldudes Cats Book’s name. Once the book is published and available for purchase, 40% of the proceeds from sales will be donated to no-kill cat shelters all over the West Coast, including Seattle, Portland, Oakland, and Los Angeles.

Recently, an Indiegogo campaign for the project raised over $3000. dollars, and fundraising shows are being held with the help of LA-based shelters. In order to self-publish the book, Alexandra still needs a significant financial boost from her fellow cat and metal lovers.

Contact theblackbirch@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming involved/participating in the Metaldudes Cats Book. You can donate directly through PayPal using the email aleksan@u.washington.edu.

More info at this location.