Peter Bebergal delves into the depts of occultism and rock and roll in his meticulously researched book Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll. From the early origins of the blues to the contemporary music of Madonna, mysticism and the supernatural are woven seamlessly into the vast history and uprising of one of music’s bedrock genres.
While presenting readers with a wealth of precise analytics to back up his research, Bebergal dares readers to expand their minds and shift away from a “one size fits all” definition of occultism. He turns back time and dips readers into Greek mythology, exploring the influence of Pan—a horned deity who encourages nature, community, and universal understanding—while also exploring various more modern definitions related such as paganism, magic, and wicca.
As the narrative settles in, most chapters are spent volleying heavily between the 60s and 70s while exploring themes of racism, religion, and drugs. Whether readers tumble down the rabbit hole of Syd Barrett’s LSD psychedelic trips, listen to the crackle of sin-laced albums burning in bonfires at the hands of fearful Christians, or hear the accusations of white critiques claiming Jay-Z’s successes is solely achieved from a connection to the Illuminati, Bebergal offers readers well-paced viewpoints exploring mysticism.
There are some notable historical music moments left out, but it’s made up for by a wealth of iconic artists: Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Death Metal, Kiss, Madonna, Robert Moog, and Jay-Z. Perhaps some readers may desire more pages dedicated to later years such as the 1980s satanic panic or artists in the early 2000s, but overall, it’s an engaging look at the occult’s influence on one of the most controversial genres throughout time. Readers who enjoyed Aleister Crowley: Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Wickedest Man in the World by Gary Lachman or The Occult Elvis: The Mystical and Magical Life of the King by Miguel Conner will rock out to Bebergal’s dizzying trip down rock and roll’s vast legacy.
Nico Bell is the author of This Cruise Sucks and Gobble ‘Til You Wobble: A New Year’s Eve Nightmare. She is also the Editor-in-Chief at Mad Axe Media. When she isn’t writing, she can be found playing with her very energetic dog, Egg. You can find her on Insta and TikTok @nicobellfiction or on her website www.nicobellfiction.com
SLUGGER 