Dayal Patterson is a British author, music journalist and founder of publishing house, Cult Never Dies. He has written several non-fiction books about heavy metal music and has contributed to a number of metal magazines, such as Decibel, Terrorizer, Metal Hammer, Classic Rock Presents, Record Collector, NME, Zero Tolerance and online publications such as The Quietus. ^[1][2] His trilogy of books on black metal, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult, Black Metal: The Cult Never Dies Vol. One. and Black Metal: Into the Abyss, have been labelled 'essential reading' for black metal enthusiasts.^[3][4]

Patterson began his music journalism career in the early 2000s when he started his own fanzine called Crypt. Shortly after, he became a regular contributor for magazines such as Metal Hammer, Terrorizer and Record Collector.^[5] During this time, Patterson has written multiple cover stories, including Rammstein,^[6] Behemoth,^[7] Children of Bodom^[8] for Metal Hammer, Deicide^[9] and Turisas^[10] for Terrorizer and Enslaved for Zero Tolerance Magazine.^[11]

In 2013, coinciding with Feral House’s publication of his book, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult, Patterson founded his own publishing house Cult Never Dies, which specialises in publications, merchandise and physical music releases relating to underground metal.^[12]

In late 2023, on Cult Never Dies’ tenth anniversary, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult - The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition was published.^[13] The North American version of the book was published in early 2024 by Decibel Books.^[14]

Patterson has given talks on the history of metal at events and festivals such as Midgardsblot,^[15] Beyond the Gates^[16] Cosmic Void,^[17] Inferno Festival and Bergen Literary Festival.^[18]

Patterson has also written multiple liner notes, and designed album layouts and artwork. He has also done live music and band photography.^[19][20]

Authored Books

• Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult. 2013. Feral House. ISBN 978-1-936239-75-7
• Black Metal: The Cult Never Dies Vol. One. 2015. Cult Never Dies. ISBN 978-0-9933077-0-6
• Black Metal: Into the Abyss. 2016. Cult Never Dies. ISBN 978-0-9933077-1-3
• Owls, Trolls & Dead King's Skulls: The Art Of David Thiérrée. 2017. Cult Never Dies. ISBN 978-0-9933077-3-7
• Non Serviam: The Official Story Of Rotting Christ. 2018. Cult Never Dies. ISBN 978-0-9933077-9-9 / ISBN 978-0-9933077-7-5
• Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult - The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition. 2023. Cult Never Dies. ISBN 978-1-915148-66-7

Album liner notes

• Killing Joke – Absolute Dissent. 2010.
• Emperor – The Complete Works. 2017.
• Rotting Christ – Under Our Black Cult. 2018.
• Rotting Christ – Thy Mighty Contract. 2017.
• Rotting Christ – Non Serviam. 2017.
• Rotting Christ – Passage to Arcturo. 2023.
• Cradle of Filth – Cruelty and the Beast: Re-Mistressed. 2019.

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