Although you might not think it, heavy metal music is not all that bad. A lot of people consider ‘heavy metal’ music to be bad, evil stuff that will turn you into a blood drinking devil worshipper, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I’ve listened to metal music since I was fairly young, about 12 or so. I was listening to the new Slayer album, World Painted Blood, the other day and got to thinking about what it is that people like about metal. I’m pretty sure that most people don’t listen to it for the lyrics, because a lot of the time they are pretty terrible. On the surface metal bands often sing about death, destruction, evil, hurt and pain and all the ‘bad things’. (not all metal bands, but many of them) Sure, there’s probably a few weirdos out there who actually like death, destruction, and evil, but I’ve never met a person who truly liked those things, and I’ve met a lot of metal-heads. The music, or ‘noise’ as parents around the world would say, is one reason most people like metal. It’s fast, heavy, and distorted, and often has amazing guitar solos that some people really like, especially when in certain moods. Hmm… Certain moods?
Some people will often put on some metal when they’re frustrated or angry. I don’t know many people who put on Slayer or Mastodon when they feel like dancing. That’s because metal can provide a release of those negative emotions. One minute you are fuming mad and before you know it you’re bouncing your head and feeling connected with the music. That’s because the people who wrote the music were probably feeling frustrated or angry when they wrote the song. They were using the song to release their negative emotions when they wrote it, and that’s the entire reason for the music to exist in many cases. That’s the entire function of many heavy metal songs and the bands that write them. And that’s why the music offers that release to some of the people who are listening as well.
Of course you don’t always put on metal music because you’re angry. When I was listening to the Slayer album and thinking about this whole thing I had only put the album on to hear it because it’s new, and I wanted to hear what Slayer is up to. I don’t listen to much metal these days.. I fell in love with dubstep.. but I think that a big reason that a lot of people enjoy metal is because it offers that release.
It takes their awareness off of how frustrated they are and focuses it on enjoying the fast paced, angry music. Sure, on the surface the song Hate Worldwide may sound like Slayer is trying to spread hate around the world, but are they really spreading hate? Or are they spreading a release of hate? I think it’s the latter.
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article, you perfectly outlined one of the many reasons I personally listen to Metal. Though for me, the main reason I listen to it is for the sophistication in the music. Not sure about anyone else, but listening to those double bass drums going full speed underneath an amazing guitar solo, while still being musically artistic in the different tempos and time signatures used.
Rock on fellow Metal-heads
Not talking about hate does not make it go away, only consuming media that is about happy fluffy bunnies does not deal with it. Leaving something to be taboo and unspoken only gives it more power.
Metal can be a safe expression of feelings that we are all taught to repress as much as possible, it allows you to feel angry and aggressive and strong, in the end giving you a catharsis of those feelings.
Personally, I do listen to the lyrics. In a lot of cases they are bad but the one thing ive noticed between all metal bands (this does not include metalcore unfortunately) is regardless what they’re singing about, there is a constant theme, a kindof philosophy if you will. the philosophy that no one is more powerful than you. And if you desire something, you can achieve it if you set your mind to it. Metal teaches to stand up for what you believe in, whether it be violent murder, satan, or whatever. For me, metal is a cathartic experience, as well as a strengthening excercise.
LONG LIVE METAL \m/,
Actually while I agree with your points, I tend to also listen to metal when I’m happy just more melodic stuff and sometimes when I’m bored I listen to it to motivate myself as while in many cases the lyrics are considered negative, in a good number of cases it’s about dealing with a negative situation which in itself is inspiring.
Good blog and it’s actually supported by study that says many smart students listen to metal as a catharsis.
ref: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070321130834.htm
more difficult to listen to/complex music forces our brains to organise the sound into something more understandable, releasing dopamine as a reward. If it can’t then the music is just annoying. Explains why some people can appreciate the more abrasive music and shit, and some just find it annoying.
Well that, and all the good metal bands have talent beyond about 99% of bands in other genres, and if you really listen to the lyrics in a lot of metal (not all, granted), it can be very genius and a bit poetic.
really good points i agree with just about all of them i just think you left out that another reason for listening to metal is that when you hear a song with crazy guitar awesome drums and all that stuff that makes metal so good, it just makes you feel bad ass and makes you feel like you can do anything.
Some metal bands do write very beautiful, poetic lyrics. On the other hand, yeah, some are terrible. Sometimes it’s a cheesy, awesome kind of terrible… sometimes it’s God Dethroned terrible. You know, the kind of terrible that makes average people curse God for allowing human communication to exist.
ANYWAY. I don’t only listen to metal as a way of releasing aggression, or whatever. I listen to it because of the complexity, the challenging nature, of the music (as a musician I am frequently impressed by metal artists’ skill and talent), the atmospheres created, the fact that it often actually discusses issues like politics, religious oppression, etc. Metal is not afraid to be honest and outspoken.
Finally, too, I love metal for the sheer range of emotion that’s evoked. A lot of it’s so-called ‘negative’ emotion–anger, sorrow, hate, melancholy–but it can be very beautiful.
I think that only those with average IQ or above are able to listen heavy metal or some other, groovy & speedy metal genre.
Regarding lyrics and heavy metal, heavy sound, heavy genre.. clawfinger simply beats the score. They’re number one.
Yeah, I have to say that I worry about the kind of person that primarily listens to metal only when they’re angry. That seems like a violent man indeed.
Metal music doesn’t make me angry. It doesn’t help me when I’m angry. I also have a hard time believing that metal bands are angry 100% of the time that they write music.
Personally, I listen to metal when I’m in a good mood. It helps me to relax, or makes me excited (but not angry) depending on what I want to reap from listening. I enjoy metal musically, not so much emotionally.The people that listen to metal primarily when they’re angry? Ehhh… Columbine? Maybe that’s going a bit far, but I think you see my point. Some people just shouldn’t listen to certain music.
The world fears what they don’t understand. Heavy metal usually hits all those taboo topics head on. That’s why I love it.
Great post.
I don’t know man some of the lyrics to these songs are pretty bad-ass. I don’t listen to alot of Thrash, and almost no Death or New Wave of American Heavy Metal (Mastadon or Lamb of God), so maybe we’re talking about different things. I like more laid back music (read: understandable) but still get into the depressive death/doom/anger feel, mostly with Doom metal. I prefer the sound of drudging bass and guitar and mournful vocals and lyrics to blast-beats any day.
One genre that I love, but that has complete crap lyrics, is Power Metal. All the songs and bands are the same, they sing about how awesome they are and how awesome heavy metal is, and how awesome wizards and swords are. It’s all cheezy and over the top, but it all kicks ass. That is really the only genre that I can honestly say I listen to more for the music then the lyrics.
Other genres like stoner and progressive all seem to revolve around the lyrics, playing some deeper meaning. And bands within post-metal use lyrics (if they have them at all) as more of an added instrument, less as a focal point.
I do agree that metal needs to be listened in certain moods, I don’t put it on late at night before bed, but I do like it when I am mad, sad or happy. It’s my neutral sound, there’s a genre for any mood, any time. You just gotta search.
As a biofeedback practitioner, I am a firm believer that we all march to our own ‘drummer’ and that certain vibrational frequencies and rhythms ‘feed’ or soothe the body. That is why, some people like metal, country, classic, jazz (makes my body very uneasy) etc. So it would seem to follow that some people may be soothed or relieved by heavy metal. However, in my experience, I’ve learned how to muscle test while listening (or just holding the cd) to various types of music to learn which ones ‘feed’ or make you stronger. My experience is that metal ‘weakens’ most people. If a person needs to release some pent up anger, frustration etc. my recommendation for most would be get a punching bag or go out for a good long hard run. Old fashioned perhaps, but it really works.
Thanks for the comment Ann!
I do tend to agree with you these days.. I used to listen to a lot of metal, but now I usually put on Dubstep or something different.
I’m just learning biofeedback and muscle testing myself!
That’s great! I’m reading Energy Medicine by Donna Eden (I think that’s her name). It’s really good.
Has there been any study on this particular statistic?
It sounds like everyone here just likes listening to metal, purely for the fact of listening to music that has “touched” them in their own way. I personally don’t, and never have had metal on my mind when in a bad mood, nor has it given me “release” in any way. Whether its good or not. And like all genres of music, there’s “good” music, and there’s “bad” music, all of which are opinions (maybe with slight exceptions). Music hits us all differently, and I think this is a generalization made up by someone who listens to metal more than other types of music.
I worked at a Metal / Punk dive bar (live music venue) in Edmonton, I think if you asked punks what they liked to listen to when they’re angry, you would have a whole new statistic. Not to generalize all people who wear ‘cut sleeved studded leather jackets that have Johny Ramone pinned to the back “punks”-yeah, but I’m sure that the majority of them would prove this to be correct.
As a personal note, I listen to music that will never hit the radio.
I don’t think that I meant to say that the only reason people listen to metal is to get some sort of release.. and I wouldn’t say that all angry people should listen to metal either..
Just a thought I had about the reason why someone might want to listen to it.
I don’t listen to a whole lot of metal anymore, nor did I when I wrote this post.. I was just trying to figure out why I used to listen to metal as a teenager, and why some people might enjoy it.
I was inspired to write this post when I noticed how terrible some of the lyrics were for the songs I was listening to and remember thinking “HOW could anyone actually like this? WHAT IS IT?”
Mitch I read this article with some of my friends which whom have studied and read about metal bands and metal culture for years now and we really think you have oversimplified what metal is all about. For one thing lyrics do matter and death is part of life. I think the big thing about metal is not having illusions about the reality of life (not being a solipsist).
I strongly suggest people that read this article also read this page as well: http://www.anus.com/metal/about/philosophy/
I thought I should also add this link here as it provides other pages of insight as well: http://www.anus.com/metal/about/history.html
Hey chris. Ill have a look later on when Ive got some time.. anus.com… man.. thats a money domain no matter how you look at it. lol.
I wouldnt consider myself a solipsist, but many people have said that’s what my belief system resembles… It really matters not to me what you call it, I prefer not to have a name for it, but I also see reality through the 3d lens that we’re programmed to look through, so I can see your point as well as mine.
Cheers! Thanks for commenting on my posts.
Maybe someone mentioned this, but there’s also a lot of metal bands that have a positive message, not to mention tons that have just artsy/poetic lyrics and nothing hateful. As far as a positive message goes though, there’s the whole genre of vegan straight edge metal that’s about being drug free, pure vegetarian, and often politically active. (Day of Suffering, Earth Crisis, Pain Runs Deep, to name a few.)
Ben\’s latest article..November Link Round Up
Sorry guys to burst your bubble, but the impact of heavy metal music can be measured. See Masaru Emoto’s book Messages from Water. It’s a complete paradigm shift. Thanks!
Ive read his book, you’re right! Fascinating stuff.