ANTHRAX‘s “Fistful Of Metal” (1984) and HALLOWS EVE‘s “The Neverending Sleep” (2008) are on the list of “200 Embarrassingly Bad Album Covers,” one of the longer compilations in “The Merciless Book of Metal Lists”, which is to be released on April 9 by Abrams Image.

A look at some of the artwork on the list, with commentary from Howie Abrams and Sacha Jenkins, the book’s co-authors and New York City music scene veterans, can be found at NYTimes.com.

Touted as “the most opinionated compendium ever written concerning heavy metal,” “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” is comprised of 208 jam-packed pages representing all that is glorious across the world of heavy metal.

Presented in the form of dozens of factual, random and often outrageous lists, this book flies the flag for true metalheads, as well as the curious observer. Where others have ventured to simply focus on who is best, “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” dares to call many out for being the worst. It points out the triumphs, as well as the miserable failures concerning metal, and recklessly opines on each and every aspect of it, from a diehard fan’s point of view.

Abrams will appear on the “Black N Blue Takeover” online radio show on April 2 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET to discuss lists from the book and more. Howie appeared on a recent edition of the show and had so much fun, he’s coming back for more. Listen to Part II on April 2 on EastVillageRadio.com.

The requisite collections of the mightiest guitarists, drummers, vocalists, etc., are in there, however, “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” leaves no stone unturned, often blurring the lines separating fact and hilarity. You want to know about album covers that feature goats on them? What MOTÖRHEAD icon Lemmy‘s warts might tell you if they could speak? The achievements IRON MAIDEN would never have reached had their original vocalist Paul Di’Anno remained in the band? Well then, this book is for you.

The foreword for “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” comes from one of the most respected names in the genre, SLAYER guitarist extraordinaire Kerry King, with a candid and passionate afterword from PANTERA/DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo. There are numerous other contributions from band members the likes of Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Gary Holt (EXODUS), Max Cavalera (SEPULTURA, SOULFLY), Danny Lilker (NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH), Katon W. De Pena (HIRAX) and many others. Additionally, several lists have been contributed by industry luminaries such as Jon and Marsha Zazula; the very people responsible for first bringing groups like METALLICA, ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT to the world at large, Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel, radio personality Eddie Trunk, former Roadrunner Records (current Nuclear Blast) A&R guru Monte Conner and more. Hell, even rapper MC Serch is featured talking about his days weeding through SLAYER‘s fan mail while working at Def Jam.

“This book will appeal to metalheads because it’s what they love. They’ll get to laugh at the industry and at themselves. Any information is good information, and metal kids want it.” – Kerry King (SLAYER)

“I am an unabashed heavy metal fan, and I know as well as anyone, that metal fans can be an extremely loyal lot. But we are a very critical lot too. With each new movement, a new, defiant, outspoken, and sovereign audience is born. Music is older than all of us, so its history is ours to writhe in and absorb.” – Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)

There is no music community on earth quite like that of heavy metal, and “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” is its bible. Metal fans thrive on debating each and every detail about the music and it’s performers, from recording production, to album cover art, to band members’ appearance — no stone is left unturned… EVER. “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists” is designed for the lot, who enthusiastically engage in and thrive on such arguments.

To pre-order “The Merciless Book Of Metal Lists”, please visit Amazon.com.