She has definitely always been a divisive figure in metal. Part of it may be the sense that she was not 'one of us' - a powerful person in metal who was not actually metal herself

Excitement, trepidation and Sharon Osbourne... On writing about a controversial figures as if they were actually human

I was planning to keep my newsletter for subscribers (though free) but this seems to be one I should share: Here I struggle with the implications of recent revelations about Sharon Osbourne.

keithkahnharris.substack.com/p/excitement...

I'm guessing that the lavishly-produced magazine Hungarian Conservative, will no longer be available in British train station newsagents.

On resurrecting a newsletter Why I have been avoiding the public sphere

After over a year of prevarication, I have decided to resurrect my newsletter. More details here (including the first time I have publicly acknowledged that i have a hobby). In future I may not cross-post newsletters on social media so consider subscribing (free).
open.substack.com/pub/keithkah...

'From a gang called Fellas With Attitude'

Today I woke up with an extraordinary insight: The words to the refrain of Ozzy Osbourne's 'Mama I'm Coming Home' can be replaced with the words of the refrain to George Formby's 'Mother, what'll I do now?'. And vice versa. Time for somebody with more time on their hands than me to create a mashup?

Reunited at last.

What if there are no ‘unintended consequences’? The Iran war is also the death of sociology

In this article for Prospect, I grapple with the strange way in which the Iran war is simultaneously a war fought for defined goals and also a much deeper game; a game that cannot be lost.

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...

The Beautiful Death of Ozzy Osbourne: How Metal Teaches Us to Live How Metal Teaches Us to Live

Available for pre-order everywhere, not least @bookshop.org: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Very cool to see the cover revealed today for @keithkahnharris.bsky.social’s THE BEAUTIFUL DEATH OF OZZY OSBOURNE: HOW METAL TEACHES US TO LIVE, a book I commissioned last year when in-house at HarperNorth. It’s an exhilarating read for both Ozzy- and Sabbath-heads, and the metal-curious:

So vital you don’t even know it: Gavin Schaffer’s unorthodox history of British Jews since 1945 Reviewed: Gavin Schaffer An Unorthodox History: British Jews since 1945, Manchester University Press, 2025.

Looking forward to speaking at Jewish Book Week this Sunday on a panel with Gavin Schaffer, author of 'An Unorthodox History: British Jews since 1945'. I just published this essay review of Gavin's book:

medium.com/@keithkahnha...

@jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk @manchesterup.bsky.social

All-Women Death Metal Bands from around the world (a brief overview) YouTube video by Dr. Messick's Death Metal Library

Women's Death Metal History Month is here and a thing (at least on one YouTube channel)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Nl...

...But to be clear, I have much more sympathy and solidarity with the Iranian Diaspora who oppose the regime - even when they embrace Trump - than with those in the western left who either disparage or ignore them.

How is it that Trump always manages to convince so many that they are the ones using him? It's painful to watch, for example, Iranians thronging the streets in LA, desperate for the liberation of their country, thinking they have some agency in this and that they won't be betrayed like the others.

From centre right to far left, politics too often seems to be based on a refusal to acknowledge how ends cannot easily be separated from means and intentions. That refusal is one of the reasons why the bad guys are winning.

It's a small consolation but Trump won't get dragged into a long term unwinnable war as he isn't bound by reality. He can declare victory whenever he wants, regardless of the situation on the ground.

Very happy (and surprised) to hear it! Your book looks very intriguing

Yukigassen - Wikipedia

That actually exists in Japan: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukigas...

Is there a #WinterOlympics equivalent of Squash? There must be a winter sport that the IOC is equally dedicated to snubbing,decade after decade.

No it's the animated version of The Archers

Airbrushing looked like the future

Just changed my monitor wallpaper to this. Anyone else recognise it? I was addicted to the book where this is form as a kid and just revisited it recently - it still looks incredibly cool.

I'm very excited to reveal the cover of my forthcoming book 'The Beautiful Death of Ozzy Osbourne' AND a big discount for pre-orders with Waterstones. Be quick as it's only available until the end of this Friday. Order here - www.waterstones.com/campaign/feb...

They use electric cellos with cool bodies

Wouldn't have worked in Motorhead

There's still no excuse for it.

...or bass guitarists who hold the instrument under their chins.

Figure skaters and snow boarders dress as if they are making an abject apology for being athletes. It's the sporting equivalent of indie drummers whose kits have only one tom. Or Paul McCartney's violin bass. Shame on them all.

Warlock Corpse / Труп Колдуна - You and I are in a Dark Crypt Forever YouTube video by Warlock Corpse / Труп Колдуна

One of the things I adore about metal culture (and have written about) is stumbling across things like this, where it's almost impossible to know whether this is serious or a joke, intentional or naive, brilliant or terrible. I don't think I will ever get tired of it.

youtu.be/5515PpSyLFc?...