“Dark Days” is a memoir by Randall Blythe, vocalist for the American metal band Lamb Of God. It’s a recounting of how, in June 2012, he was abruptly arrested upon touchdown in Prague, where the band was scheduled to perform. A nightmare situation unfolded as Blythe was told that he was being charged for the manslaughter of a Czech fan at a show two years prior. Knowing nothing of the country’s language or legal system, Blythe spent over a month in the claustrophobic, sweltering conditions of the infamous Pankrác Prison, after which he was required to return to Prague for his trial.
Blythe also details much of his upbringing, involvement in the music industry, personal struggles, and his beliefs throughout the book. At times it can get quite wordy, but never without reason. Blythe always manages to illustrate how these sections relate to his prison experience, and helped him keep his sanity throughout it.
Blythe is an excellent storyteller, witty, passionate, and intelligent. “Dark Days” runs the gamut of human emotion, and is at times infuriating, hilarious, thought provoking, and devastating. It’s a tale of a man being dropped in an absurd and terrifying situation, and doing the right thing when everything goes wrong.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless if they’re a metalhead or a fan of Blythe’s band. Very few books inspire me to read them a second time. This book was an exception. As soon as I was finished, I turned it over and started reading a second time. And I suspect I’ll read it again soon.
Family Book Club 