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List Price: $15.95 | | Publisher: MJS Music & Entertainment LLC
Salesrank: 60137
Released: April 14, 2007 |
| Our Price: $9.22 |
| Used Price: $5.40 |
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| Media: Perfect Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Ex-Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott was attacked and murdered while performing with his new band Damageplan on Dec. 8, 2004. While the media focused only on the crime, several unsung heroes remained forgotten. This is the story of three brave men who made a difference in countless lives by paying the price with their own.
Over the span of 14 months, author Chris A has researched the people, places and circumstances leading to the horrific murders of beloved guitarist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott, bodyguard Jeffery Mayhem Thompson, professional roadie Erin Halk and fan, husband and father, Nathan Bray. The result is an insightful, thought provoking book that induces a powerful range of emotions.
While the book explores the background and motive of the killer who callously took the lives of these four innocent people, the focus goes far beyond the specifics of the crime. A Vulgar Display of Power: Courage and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa crosses many genres; its part rock n roll history, part true-crime and part biography. The result is a modern-day inspirational chronicle of good versus evil. At times graphic in its content, its intention isn t to shock or sensationalize, but rather to clearly articulate the raw courage and selflessness of those who paid the ultimate price. Above all, the author placed great emphasis on recounting the events with accuracy and taste. The book has been meticulously researched and the author has personally interviewed and corresponded with hundreds of people involved. Augmented by 240 photos, most never published, readers will meet the heroes, the police officers, paramedics, fans and venue employees who worked together to try to save lives and demonstrate compassion. A Vulgar Display of Power: Courage and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa delivers a powerful, inspirational and educational message that will touch all who turn its pages.
A book by Chris A.
Foreword written by first responding Officer James Niggemeyer.
A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa Reviews:
It's All Over in Mere Seconds! 
2009-11-07 - A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa tells the unforgettable story of the grisly murders of heavy metal rock star, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, and each of three courageous men (Jeffrey Thompson, Nathan Bray, and Erin Halk) whose lives were snuffed out in mere seconds by a deranged, psychotic killer.
Indeed, it is a story of their courage. They were shot down at point blank range trying to protect others during the satanic rampage.
The author weaves together the threads of the lives of these four men, which brought them to the Alrosa Villa on the doomed night of December 8, 2004. As Dimebag and his band, Damageplan, cranked out their first barrage of heavy metal, "Breathing New Life," little did Dimebag know this would be his last number. "The Beast," Nathan Gale, was lurking his way toward the stage area carrying a Beretta 92F.
Dimebag's original thrash and heavy-metal band, Pantera, had dissolved after its lead man "simply walked away from the band." A Vulgar Display of Power tells how "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and his brother Vinnie Paul Abbot joined with Bob "Bobzilla" Kakaha and Pat Lachman to form Damageplan, and would perform at Alrosa Villa on the night of December 8.
A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa tells of Jeff Thompson, a convincing actor and a spirited man who loved to entertain. Jeff spent his time performing in a renaissance festival in Texas. Fate introduced him to the Abbot brothers, who hired him as their personal security guard. It was Jeff Thompson's voice that introduced Damageplan at Alrosa Villa on the night of December 8.
Nathan Bray, a Sports junkie, dropped out of college to meet his responsibilities as a new father. Fortunately for Nathan, his once part-time employer, Inside Outfitters, offered him a full-time job. The family moved back to Columbus, Ohio. Nathan had always been a heavy metal fan. In November of 2004, when he learned that Damageplan would be performing in Columbus, Ohio, he bought tickets for himself and a friend. The two headed for Alrosa Villa on the night of December 8.
The book tells of Erin Halk, an ex-Marine. Through a friend of his, Halk landed a job as a roadie for Godsmack, loading and unloading equipment. He received a fateful phone call from a fellow roadie asking him to cover a gig. By now, Erin was thoroughly familiar with the work and obliged to help unload and setup Damageplan. This took him to Alrosa Villa on the night of December 8.
Doctors at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune evaluated Marine Nathan Gale, who was hospitalized in their mental health ward in March of 2003. Diagnosis: paranoid schizophrenia. According to A Vulgar Display of Power, doctors prescribed medications for Gale to keep "The Beast" under control. He was given an honorable discharge. Gale often hallucinated, saying he was being watched. He complained that when he talked with the original Pantera, they had stolen his lyrics. No longer taking his medication, Nathan Gale drove to Alrosa Villa on the night of December 8.
In accurate detail, the A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa tells exactly what happened on that night, how "The Beast" entered Alrosa Villa, gained access to the stage, and murdered Dimebag, body guard Jeff Thompson, spectator Nathan Bray, and roadie Erin Halk. It tells how Officer James Niggemeyer bravely mounted the stage and ended the carnage with a single accurate rifle shot that killed Nathan Gale.
At first glance, the cover of A Vulgar Display Of Power showing three smiling faces might be misleading until one notices the capitalized red-lettered words: Courage and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa. This book cannot be taken lightly. It is a spirited, researched attempt by the author to memorialize the lives of Jeff Thompson, Nathan Bray, and Erin Halk, whose courageous efforts to halt killer Nathan Gale saved the lives of many who had attended the Damageplan concert.
This book is a well-organized, well-documented, fascinating story I found hard to put down after reading the humble Forward by Officer James Niggemeyer, whose rifle silenced "The Beast." That's the way it is with non-fiction hero stories; we are drawn to them because we wonder if we would have the same courage to make the ultimate sacrifice as these heroes.
I highly recommend A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage and Carnage At The Alrosa Villa to any reader looking for a fascinating, compelling book. This work, with its descriptions of courage and heroism during and after the terrifying 4 minutes and 59 seconds, only proves that true heavy metal worshippers are compassionate, spirited, and often heroic people who simply love their music.
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Best book ever
2008-08-27 - I bought this book last september. And I still read it.
It made me cry that someone so cold could take someone who is loved by everyone. It made me think to. darrell was so loved by millions of people whether they were fans friends or family. He will be truly missed by me and my family and I cant wait to get my dimebag tattoo.
we miss you dime keep on rockin w/ hendrix and joplin.
Great Book for Dimebag fans
2008-08-18 - A great book about the events leading up to Dimebag's demise. Good detail and well written. A definate read for any hard core dimebag fan out there. Getcha Pull!!
loved it.
2008-05-23 - This book was read in like 6 hours, it is not a big book but i got to say that i was hooked from the 1st page to the last one !! Im a big metal fan, so for sure im a fan of Pantera & Dimebag and im happy to say i saw them live at least 5 times in the 90's. I will always remember that day when my friend called me at 6ham to give me the bad news, this book tells you everything about that day and more. Get it now !
RIP DIMEBAG! THIS BOOK IS AWESOME
2008-01-14 - I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK IN A LONG TIME THAT I LITERALLY COULD NOT PUT DOWN. I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK IN A LONG TIME THAT MADE ME CRY THAT HARD. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW EVERYONE THAT DIED THAT NIGHT....(GOD BLESS THEIR FAMILIES) AS WELL AS DIMEBAG. MY 15 YEAR OLD IS AN AVID GUITAR PLAYER AND THIS IS HIS HERO. I HAD TO READ IT BECAUSE THAT IS ALL WE EVER HEARD/AND STILL HEAR ABOUT IS DIMEBAG. WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY. I AM SO SADDENED THAT I CAN NEVER SEND MY SON TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS. I BELIEVE HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON IN MY SON THOUGH BECAUSE HE PLAYS LIKE DIME VERY MUCH. HE OWNS 6 ELECTICS AND OF COURSE HAD TO GET A DEAN!!!!! THE ONE WE GOT HIM FOR XMAS WAS DIMEBAGS TRIBUTE GUITAR. AN AWESOME BOOK IS ALL I CAN SAY AND YOU JUST HAVE TO READ IT!!!!
