Same here. Only my non-metal friends couldn't understand though. I'd usually say something like " I play Heavy Metal to calm down", and the reaction was usually like😳🤯
Yeah this is basically it. Mad? Thrash or metalcore makes me calm. Sad? Doom makes me contemplative and hopeful. Nihilist? Death Metal reminds me that life is precious and shouldn't be wasted.
I'm not sure if anyone can identify with this, but metal makes me feel powerful in a world where I feel powerless. As soon as something heavy starts, I feel 10ft tall and bulletproof for a moment. It's deeply satisfying and cathartic and gives me a break from the world.
100% agree. I’ve always had abysmal confidence/ self esteem so the lyrical theme in metal about cultivating strength is what drew me to the genre. Been exploring it for a couple years now and everyone who knows me is noticing my character is changing for the better. There’s some specific lines I want to list that stay with me. “Is anybody listening? Can anybody tell me why I can't get up? Why can't I get up? Down on my knees as the world comes falling down My fear chained to the ground for my will is weak And my state is bleak But I'm bound to break free Pride running through my veins My chains lay flat around me” - Currents “I stand free, I refuse to be surrounded Driven to increase my own power by creation the purest choice You wield the sword, the pain is left aside And I have left my tears behind me I purge myself of resentment, I breathe the air of freedom” - Gojira “I will go down in history and not down in flames Give me a minute and I’ll change your mind Give me a bullet and I’ll change your life I guess I’ll never believe in anything, but my solace is I can handle everything” - Slipknot
@@zacharydunn5244 "This is my identity Fading away in this sea of grey Just a little glimpse to stay Building an empire to remain (to remain) The ashes of my past will alleviate the pain" Identity by the band Cypecore
@@nightstorm5914 fantastic song, thanks for sharing 👊 The ones i quoted are Better Days- Currents, adoration for none- gojira, gematria- slipknot, wherein lies continue- slipknot
But if you read the Bible, God is a self admitted genocidal war lord who explicitly commanded his followers to keep the virgins of conquered tribes as sex slaves, so that statement makes sense... Matthew 10:34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." See, clearly those metal-heads are satanists because they advocate for peace, instead of war and moral depravity as the good ol' bible does.
@@savasayaz8224 God committing genocide in the bible, happens more often than how many times it is said that killing and or murder is wrong... There is no verse denouncing slavery, but many verses condoning it, even sex slaves. God gives several reasons why killing someone is right, such as cursing your father “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death." Exodus 21:17 There is a very long list of reasons to kill someone in the bible, some of them being very explicitly asks the person to kill, others a bit more interpretation friendly, such as saying that it causes death.
And lyrics aswell. Metal vocals are deep and show or reveal the side of life not alot of people understand but those that are depressed do bcs it hits close
There is a German power metal band named Freedom Call, they always say they're playing "Happy metal", making fun about it all the time during their gigs. 😄🤘
A few years back. I got into a Psychiatric hospital. I was Sick. Than, someone in the hospital Introduced me to Metal, at first i thought it was noise. But than i really tried to listen to this, and i was SO surprised to see how it effected me. Suddenly i was so much calmer, healthier, I was able to see things more clearly. I felt so much better... Metal literally SAVED my life. Thank you everyone who is open minded enough to try and listen to Metal.
I find it funny that you could rewrite most metal stuff for classic instruments and it still would sound fantastic. That is probably one of the reasons it works.
That's wonderful to hear. I my self would probably not be here anymore if I wasn't introduced to metal because i was heckin depressed and then I found a way to let my emotions out savely
90% of people that think metal is just screaming and headbanging have never even looked at the lyrics of these songs. Metal bands have one of the deepest and relatable stories that you could ever imagine. Also, not all metal songs need to have distorted screaming vocals.
We was meant to see Lamb of God last April for my partners birthday. Missing metal gigs is real frustrating. Our last one was motionless in white back in dece 2019 :-(
I found indie rock fans to be more aggressive especially at the height of its popularity during the Britpop era of the mid 90's & then again with the resurgence of indie in the mid 00's. I found that on the official band forums and at the Reading Festival when the acts were nearly all indie rock bands that year. My male friends who were into heavy metal, dressed all in black & who either went to Download or the Steelhouse festivals were the mildest people though. I felt like joining them there but I only like certain bands and it's mostly for the ballads & covers. It's the same with punk as well.
@@hiptoalieu Especially now with autotune. Some of the pop music of the 80's was good though. Some soft rock bands such as Snow Patrol sound much better live than in the studio with the same songs because of over production even in that genre.
Metal doesnt explore just negative emotions, ive herd metal songs about love and other emotions, metal often explores more complex emotions and dives deeper into different situations that make you feel alone or uncomfortable. Makes you feel understood
Another callout from the masses, and MASSIVE fan. Metal IS catharsis. Its a way to expel negetive energy in a healthy way with a community of like minded people standing by ur side. Hence why when someone falls in a mosh pit. We pick em up so we can all keep going!!!
This. If it weren't for metal, there would be a lot more dead people in this world. It helps people, especially me, understand my emotions better. It just feels good and right to jam out to some badass shit. It's one of those unmatched experiences in life \m/
I have extreme social anxiety and start hyperventilating in groups of more than a few people. The one exception is when I'm at a concert. The metal community is embodied by acceptance. Completely different people all there for different reasons. I don't know you, you don't know me, but somehow the eccentricities of the individuals accentuate the feeling of both belonging and uniqueness. I see a 50 year old overweight man with pierced nipples and his chest hair shaved in the shape of a heart wearing a leather vest and biker jeans and he belongs just as much as the typical college guy in board shorts and a t shirt and the experience and community would be lessened if either of them weren't there.
The stereotype of the angry, maladjusted metal head goes out the window when you see a hulking, 200 pound, tattoed and pierced guy in a spiked leather vest at the register in a super market turn around to give the little freightened girl behind him a lollypop as a present and beg for forgiveness for having scared her. True story. Happened at Waken Open Air in Germany.
@@supremelordoftheuniverse5449 you're right is is the most typical metalhead, but in the public eye almost no one knows that metalheads are completely normal people.
And the antisocial myth gets blasted apart when you see an elderly woman decide the Slipknot show's a little too intense (poor lady probably got tricked into the show by her granddaughter or something), decides to step out and an entire crowd of rabid metalheads just stop rocking out in the middle of "Eyeless" and part like the red sea to let her through. Also a true story.
My wife, when she was 7 month's pregnant went with me to a Metal Festival. In public places, she'd often have to stand in buses and trains during the daily commute, but at this festival full of metal heads, they would invite her to cut in line for LONG bathroom (porta potty) lines, water fountains, etc. This is one of the most civil group of people around.
My husband and I went to see Slipknot at the Iowa State Fair when I was 7.5 months pregnant. So many people came up to me welcoming our son into the metal family.
As someone who's been to literally hundreds of concerts, I can EASILY say that the crowds at metal shows are the most respectful and kind I've ever seen, bar none. I've gone to see plenty of shows, of all genres, from opera to raves to heavy metal shows. But metal shows by far are my favorite because they're just a good time, and everyone is so nice. I'm a 115 pound girl, and I regularly jump into moshpits. Sure, I get knocked around a lot, but EVERY single time, I've had multiple people pull me back up right away. I've lost my glasses and within seconds there will be 3 dudes asking what I've lost and helping me look for them. Lost my wallet once and didn't even go five minutes before someone handed out back to me. Even when crowd surfing people are respectful and don't get hands or try to touch you inappropriately. At least they've never done that to me And yeah, honestly, I think there are some correlations between people who suffer from mental health issues and people who listen to metal. But it's the other way around. Metal doesn't cause the problems. The people suffering from mental health problems gravitate towards metal because they relate to the themes often brought up in that music. That music makes them feel seen and heard, helps them navigate those difficult feelings. It gives voice to things they don't know how to say. Those songs about depression and isolation help people who are depressed and isolated to feel less alone with what they're going through. And that's exactly why I listen to it. Because I've been through a ton of traumatic shit, and rock and metal has always helped me deal with that stuff, specifically because it's a genre that tends to tackle those kinds of things. Metal gives me solace, gives me an outlet. And it gives me a space to connect with emotions that aren't usually fun to feel. I can cry along to a sad song and process those feelings in a healthy way because the music helps me. When I've had a bad day at work and I'm pissed, I listen to the angriest, heaviest songs on my Playlist. (Gasoline by I Prevail is a favorite) and it helps me feel better. It helps me channel my anger into something that's healthy and won't hurt anyone. I can let myself sit with that anger while I listen to that music and process it instead of slapping a patient (hospital work is not for the weak). And I always feel better after having listened to some music. That's why we like it. Also, I feel compelled to mention that metal also had so many talented musicians it's absurd. People think it's just noise, but there's a ridiculous amount of technique there to be appreciated
So fucking real, I couldn't agree with you more. A crowd usually is just a shitload of people, but at metal concerts, a crowd is a unity. People are so kind to each other, it's incredible. And for the talent... As a drummer I never get sick of the complexity of songs by artists like Infant Annihilator, Slaughter to Prevail and many songs from Kreator, and I could go on and on about the basslines in Cannibal Corpse, the guitar work in... Ah well. You get the point, haha.
@@Verulyrus i do. because even as a listener i could go on and on about all the riffs i like in stuff, how exciting it is watching a band on stage when you can tell they're having a great time and really feeling it too, how much fun i've had at shows, those amazing moments of connection when you're singing the words right back because you love a song that much and the singer looks right at you and you can see how happy it makes them to have people appreciate their music like that. I mean, i could talk about metal for hours on end, but at some point here, i think my fingers might just fall off from typing that much, lol
@@bottomofastairwell pushing buttons on a computer and having a computer do all the work will never compare to those people learning real instruments, and taking years to hone their skill for us, the fans. I don't get why it's so hard for people to understand that playing instruments is harder to do and takes more dedication, the messing around with a computer and making a machine do all the work. Metal music is what made me want to become a musician in real life anyway, that's how effective it is for its listeners. Playing Pop songs and other mainstream genres on instruments is boring because it's too easy, and I could learn it in a few minutes.
"Metal confronts what we'd rather ignore, it celebrates what we often deny, and it indulges in what we fear most. And that's why metal will always be a culture of outsiders." -Sam Dunn, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. \../
@@victortesla4198 that is why I’m attracted to paganmetal so much, besides the story telling, they’re really telling you to persevere, not to give up and to stand up what you believe in. The battle hyms keep me going when it gets tough
I just turned 60 this week. I've been a metalhead for the past 50 years. I love metal because it's so honest. The lyrics often focus on mental health issues, being an outsider, war, politics, the environment (thank you, Gorjira!), etc. Metal definitely calms me down, allows me focus, gives me a place to belong, etc. I can't imagine my life without metal. I'll be a metalhead until I'm dead.
The honesty. It is what some other trendy/popular music lacks, in my opinion. For me, it is better to face the problems or any of this life's downsides with the bravery and strength you've built from the pains of life that teaches us true wisdom and the truth about this life, than to just ignore it, do drugs, do party hard or fuck everyone around. Bless you sir!
Count me in. Metal (or rock) and classical music are my most favourite music genres. Both have unprecedented highs and depths when I listen to them. They are calming and exhilarating at the same time. So there is little surprise that I also love their crossover - symphonic metal.
I can't believe that @bethroars didn't discover that in her studies! The number one most popular crossover genre with classical music, is heavy metal, and vice versa! I believe it's no coincidence, because both genres are the most technically complex and difficult to play styles of music that we know of.
I’m a metal musician. Before I joined a serious band, I falsely convinced myself that I was an introvert, because I had very few friends and I needed to justify why I was failing to connect with people. It turned out I was extroverted the entire time because when I started attending and playing metal shows, I blossomed socially and found the confidence in myself that I needed. Since then, I have realized that all of the darkest times in my life were when music wasn’t a part of it and the majority of my fondest memories were attending or performing metal shows.
I'm a metalhead and a Nigerian So to most people I come across in my country "I'm disturbed by demons" or rather "possessed" and to the rest of the people that are usually learned "I'm depressed and suicidal" or "I'm weird" Since I stopped listening to what people thought , Metal makes me happy , happy with myself and my life , it also helped me get through the COVID-19 lockdown
Sorry to hear you are alienated so badly where you live, I've dealt with the same treatment all of my life even despite having some metal head friends, so I know how it feels. I'm just really glad you figured out that only you know what's best for yourself! Cheers to carving your own path!
@@I_Hate_UA-cam_Handles Aetherian Frozen Crown Polaris Tetrach Babymetal I scare easy so I have to be careful about certain bands because they are too creepy 😁😁
@@ebubedikedi1165 nice choices man I personally listen to Exodus Slayer Sepultura Municipal Waste Iron Reagan Gojira Cannibal Corpse Meshuggah I love both death and thrash these are just the bands I listen to the most
When you're going through intense, complex emotions, having intense, complex music really helps you process things. Metal really can be incredibly soothing.
My goal is to actually show people how beautifully melodic metal songs actually are. For that I create piano arrangement of metal songs. I take requests all the time, and would appreciate it if you check it out 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
@@kicksboxes8372 Likewise! If I can't sleep, I always put on the Immortal At The Heart Of Winter album. The chaos, the complex time signature changes and the eerie, haunting guitar melodies always put me to sleep in a good way. Been listening to these guys since the nineties and it ha never gotten old for me.
Cliff burton, who is arguably the greatest metal bassist of all time; studied classical music in college. You see how well they intertwined with each other!
@@Primogenitor. A lot of the classical composers would have been metalheads if born in the right era. Would have loved to have heard some of the stuff Beethoven or Tchaikovsky would have done with an electric guitar, especially Tchaikovsky.
Serj from soad also loves classical music it actually inspired the music he and his group makes according to a video I saw of him talking about it anyway
As a psychologist and a metalhead (for 20 years now), i loved this video. It's really important start to confront our emotions, instead of repress them. If you are really sad, feeling brooke inside, and you hear someone screaming his or her pain, you can empathize and not feel alone in your own pain. Someone saying what you can't say, could help you to confront your sorrows. And as you said, that's cathartic. Also, the power in the melodies, rythms and lyrics, could make you feel stronger, more secure, even protected from the shit of the world. Love you Beth! For more videos like this! p.s: Tatiana!!!! OMG! We need an interview with that godess!
And on the bring side even if you don't need cathartic effets. Theres metal about joyful subjects as well let's not forget bands like alestorm singing about friends, adventure and discovery. Aloen weaponry and ningen isu being based on history and classical litterature. Metalhead are some of the most emotionnally stable and empathic people i've met.
Hahahaha YES! I love classic metal and also classical music, opera, samba, early electronic music… any genre that feels authentic and energetic will attract me. For the same reason I don't appreciate pop much.
Im an introvert and a hardcore death metal fan myself but im not a depressed person at all with anxiety or anything. Although my bipolar is kinda somethin else. Im a very aggressive person tho also. (when im by myself)
After 16 years of depression and suffering from burnout, listening to Babymetal by pure coincidence actually saved me from suicide. Although I had been into metal for a long time (Helloween fan since the beginning), I had never heard of this group before. UA-cam's algorithm thought it should play Babymetal's Ijime, Dame, Zettai while I was looking for a motorway bridge... Went to the docs the next day and started therapy for three years. Made me learn Japanese to understand Babymetal's lyrics, got attracted to Wagakki Band (mixing traditional Japanese music with rock), Attarashi Gakko (literally an anti-idol group), Otoboke Beaver (great punk band) and some more. Met one of my Japanese penpals last year for a week and will travel across Japan with her for two months. What's next? Only the Fox God knows... 🤘🦊🤘 Edit: typos...
Great to see an other Babymetal fan in the comments. Babymetal was started as a sort of gateway band to metal music, but is also the gateway drug for Japanese music. 🙂 From what I know about Helloween when it comes to Babymetal songs IDZ is probably one of the songs which is closest to Helloween thus easier to get into Babymetal (some people see something like Gimme Choco and run the other way, later bumping into Babymetal songs years later and becoming a fan). Was it luck ? Was it the algorithm ? Was it the universe ? Or the Fox God ? Only the Fox God knows. 🙂
@@autohmae Hey, many thanks for your kind message. Yes, Babymetal definitely became some kind of a portal to Japanese music for me. 😁 During our journey across Japan, we are going to visit a live event with Nemophila (followed them since their early days), but I would also love to see Wagakki Band live... 🤗 I absolutely love the Shamisen, for example like when Benin Ninagawa plays her solos, or a duo from Tokyo called Ki&Ki. Looking for Kiki, Shamisen and "Tsugaru Jongara Bush" gets you one of my favourite ones. 😉 After a while I wanted to understand the lyrics of IDZ, and also to test if my brain was still working fine 😉 - so I started learning Japanese. I first saw the live version of 2014s Sonisphere which is, in my opinion, one of the best live performances of IDZ. After I was able to understand the lyrics, I was like - wait, those little girls went from being bullied to *that* stage performance? 😲 I don't know, maybe I'm misinterpreting things... But when you see early Yui laughing and joking on stage - compared to the later forced, professional smile that broke down immediately when she turned away from the crowd... Was she physically or mentally exhausted? Maybe both... The idol business is cruel and challenging. Although many praise Moa for her cute dance acts and mention that Yui sometimes lags 😅, I see Yui danced far more precise and powerful than Moa (who gets away with not moving precise with a smile). So one could see that Yui got exhausted way more... And we all know that physical stability is needed for mental stability, right? I wonder if we will hear her solo projects, once Amuse Inc. will let her go. From what I have heard from other former idols, the companies are insane. Nobita and Dark Side Japan Yuki - both have great videos on this topic. Edit: typos again... 😉
@@autohmae Yup, I hated Gimme Choco and got an awful impression of Babymetal. Some time later I heard Megitsune and loved it. I'm still not a fan at all, but at least they have one song I really like, so my opinion has changed for the better.
"It's like...when life sucks, and you feel alone and empty; stick on some metal and life is better because somebody else knows the pain and the rage that you're going through, you know."- Deathgasm
This. This is how I’ve always used the music I listen to. It’s why I gravitate towards more theatrical stuff, in any genre. Metal isn’t common listening because I didn’t grow up exposed to it, but as an adult(aged30) I have found aspects of it truly enjoyable. Favorites currently include Nightwish, Aryeon, and Epica. On a different note: depression runs in my family, and I suffer from it as well as some social anxieties. As stated above, metal is new to my life(in the last 3 years), so in my case at least, I would say it definitely didn’t cause those problems, nor does it exacerbate them for me.
Seeing this sentence after 3 years gave me such a heartwarming feeling. Now I'm gonna watch deathgasm again and relax while watching dozens of people being killed in sadistic ways. Thanks dude \m/
The lyrics in some Christian metal songs are as good as hymns written in the 1800s! It's a LOT of passion, and authenticity. Oh, and jazz was the original "devil music" LOL
For folks who say that metal is just garbage lyrics, I ask them if they know Iron Maiden or early Metallica. Basing a song on Hemingway is far from garbage.
I was diagnosed with depression at age 8. Tried several medications with varied results for years. By age 12, I had already found metal music and started playing guitar. Soon, I quit my medications and started improving. The first time a stood in front of an audience and let out my pent-up anger through a guitar and a microphone, I was a changed man in the best way. Beth, thank you for making this video!
Immortal628 Its really cool to hear about your story. I’m glad that you found something to help yourself and hope you’re doing well. Hang in there and have a good one.
I started playing guitar when I was 11. I was a little ball of anxiety back when I was a kid, but when I was playing the guitar, that was the only thing I could hear while I was playing. It has always been an extremely spiritually uplifting experience to shred on my B.C. Rich Draco. I have learned so many songs from Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine, Disturbed, and plenty of others. With every song I've learned, it has decreased the feelings of depression within me and has given me purpose for myself. Your story is a great story of success after overcoming the odds. Keep it metal. \m/
I have major depression, anxiety, cptsd and I love melodic death metal when I feel down. It gives me strength, releases the feelings I am not able to express (anger, despair) and I feel less lonely because of the musicians and fans who seem to know how painful life can be. The people in my actual life don't understand. They just want me to stop being depressed. 15 Minutes of headbanging also helps a lot when I am stuck in freezemode from triggers.
I think one of the reasons why (almost) every metalhead you meet is a calm, open and friendly individual is because they have found a means of channeling their emotions in a healthy way through music. The same cannot be said for a lot of other people. It's like metal music exists for that sole purpose and that to me is beautiful.
Metal fans are some of the nicest you can come across. Ever fall over in a mosh pit? You’ll be helped back to your feet in seconds by everyone in the pit
Sometimes people even help you taking you off the pit just to ensure you aren't injured, and from time to time someone shares a beer with you. Metalhead community really feels as a brotherhood.
As a die hard metalhead. For me metal helped remedy the feeling of loneliness and all together being a social outcast. I reminded me that I'm not alone and that there are others that know the same rage and pain.
I'm serious when I say that I like hanging out with outcasts. Once you get past the original awkwardness conversations get so much more interesting and you can talk about niche topics while otherwise you would have to talk about the weather or make bad jokes and pretend that you're best friends with them with canned enthousiasm during small talk.
It's okay, people who like metal or more intelligent anyway usually, because we don't follow those mainstream things and can't easily be fed nonsense that they push in pop culture related things.
Before I met my girlfriend of 1 year I was going through a major depression. Started with the gym and listening to slipknot. Thanks to my Spotify I stayed discovering sub-genres. It went from Black metal, to speed metal, Metalcore, death metal, then my all time favorite Death Core. Hitting the weights while listening to metal help me focus my anger and sadness in a productive manner. After my gym session and some Paleface Swiss I would feel an overwhelming calm wash over me. It really made me a better and happier person. Thank you Metal Heads. You’re awesome
I grew up with rock and metal and still is my favorite genre to this day. My dad had CDs of AC/DC, Rush, Led Zeppelin. My older sister introduced me to Linkin Park, Korn, Metallica, and System of a Down. To this day I find metal very soothing and nostalgic even since my sister moved and I’ve moved out and live by myself now. Metal music helps me stay calm and even sleep some nights.
I discovered metal when I was about 14 years old. I used to listen to pop music and mainstream stuff that never brought me a good sensory satisfaction. When I listened to my first metal song everything changed I felt as if a new gate of experience opened up in front of me. The music, the lyrics and the vocals caused me multiple eargasms and goosebumps. It was a truly eye opening experience. Since then I never got back. Metal helped me see the beauty in classical and orchestral music. Metal did another thing for me. It helped me to get in touch with my emotions because I was taught to not show them, to not be sad, to not be angry. It made me feel human again. There were countless of times where a song touched me and gave me an emotional relief where I could randomly start crying listening to a song. Extreme music has helped me to go through tough times.
"Sensory satisfaction." I like that, and I think that's a great way to describe it for me too. I got into metal when I was about 14 or 15 (I'm 34 now). Before that it was mostly about rap, Weird Al, and whatever 50s and 60s music my parents listened to. I liked all that, but it was never satisfying. Other than Weird Al, which was just flat out funny, it didn't make me feel anything in particular. The first time I heard death metal (it was Opeth's Deliverance) I was actually terrified by the vocals that I had to stop for a minute. But now I love it! Metal really made my ears perk up and pay attention. It gave me energy. It made me happy. It made me want to learn the guitar and create those sounds for myself. I've been a musician my whole life, starting with classical piano and clarinet, but I don't think I truly appreciated music until I realized my own personal taste in metal. Now I love pretty much anything. I always felt like I strengthened my ears by going to one extreme, and now I can truly hear and appreciate how good other music is as well. Like you said, it's an eye opening (or should it be ear opening?) experience. I've never seen it as anything other than a positive influence on my life.
still one of my favorite quotes by Metallica front man James Hetfield is: "it is like my darkness can connect to your darkness, and that's okay" and another when he was talking about the song "fade to black" which is a song about someone going through a bad time, thinking about and eventually committing suicide. He was asked in an interview if the meaning to that song changed in his life, he responded that it changes all the time. He told a story about when they played that song live on stage, he saw a woman that was in tears, he said he just wanted to go down there and tell her she will get through it, that it will be okay. Metal music in my eyes has always been about confronting and dealing with the "bad and ugly" side of humanity.
I started listening to metal/heavier rock at around 11 years old. Evanescence, MCR and the like had just debuted internationally and I was immediately drawn to it. I am now diagnosed with autism, ADHD and PTSD from growing up in a violent household, and I often felt depressed, so to me, Metal soothed and reflected my emotions in a way that nothing could. I like to think that music saved my life more than once.
Yeahhh literally. I have been in Wacken (Metal festival) and you can just go to a group of ppl, ask for a beer and chill and talk with them and no one cares
Exactly and it’s because metal heads often relate to the themes of metal for example depression. Most metal heads know how it feels to be depressed and alone so they can empathize and understand how others feel.
Angry music makes me happy. For a metalhead, listening to “extreme” music is no different than pop fans listening to “sad” music following a breakup. Metal and hard rock help me deal with stress and anger. And metal concerts are like a family. Even in the pit, if you fall, 5 people rush to pick you up, and at the end of the show people are hugging and back slapping and smiling ear to ear. It’s not for everyone; nothing is. But for those of us who love it, it really can be life saving.
It's interesting the stereotype of the Metalheads being depressed but jobs or situations when I had to listen to Country because it was on was VERY depressing for me. I got a job in '97 milking cows. The farmer didn't care what kind of music was on but he wanted it on for the cows. We used to listen to the Metal station. It was so cool. 👍
People always look at me funny when I say I love the pits at metal concerts (much rather be in the pit than sitting in a chair/bleacher) - they must think it's just mindless violence when in reality it's more like a living entity - everyone working/celebrating together and having a good time. Everybody usually does have everyone else's back in the pit
The most polite crowd I've ever seen was at an Anthrax concert. Every person I talked to used "sir" and "ma'am", "please", and "thank you". Also the guys from Death Angel were very warm and welcoming... although the singer did give me a bit of a start, lol! What a bunch of cool people!
Agree 100% about the mosh pits. There was one time, I saw someone's glasses fall off in a pit, and the entire pit stopped around him to help him find them before going on again. It really is a great community.
I was surprised when my then 3-months daughter suddenly calmed down when "roots bloody roots" came out loudly from the stereo. She was very nervous and tired, and I mistakenly turned on the stereo while trying to calm her down.... She fell asleep within two minutes after that
A friend of ours had a baby and I visited, and as we sat there and the baby was crying, he put on the stereo Disturbed and the baby stopped crying and went to sleep, before our surprised eyes! He told us that from day one this band was the only one that helped the baby sleep, and that he found out about it after countless hours that he tried to put it to sleep with no success, and just put on music as the last resort. It blew my mind! We tried it on another friend's newborn amd it really works! Not very loud of course. The parents were both metalheads, so we thought that it has to do with the music they heard before the baby was born.
@@bel.vermillion thank you, now she's ten with two younger siblings, they all had the same lullabies: "roots bloody roots" and "ratamahatta". Very effective, I think toddlers are very sensitive to lower frequencies and tribal rhythms. We still joke about that...
Thank you for this. Metal helped me survive my teenage years. It was an encouragement, an outlet, it was a way for me to fight back against the bullies, a way to start trying to figure out who I really am. There's nothing more badass than at fourteen, being invited to play a song to the class and having it be 'Angel of Death', and watching all the people who've called you horrible names freak out! !m! Still moshing, mostly in my mind, I'm old now! ~_~
@@bergkajian1257 My favorite band is Triptykon and as far as post black metal goes, there's not really a specific band I listen to. I usually just play a spotify playlist. There is one band that I do occasionally listen to called Autumn Nostalgie, but they're really new and they've only released 8 songs so far.
I can remember going to clubs when I was younger and feeling nothing but extreme rage at the dance music being played and feeling pissed off until I got home to listen to something I like, I still find sitting back and listening to the likes of Slayer, Pantera and Metallica relaxing to the point I can fall asleep. However nothing beats the feeling of being in a crowd at a gig, hope we can get back to them soon
Holiday music. There's some that can be enjoyed as background music, but on an 18 hour drive both ways it's almost a crime against humanity. When I finally got home not even Metallica, Slayer, nor Power Trip could help. I thought it hopeless...that I'd never get any sleep that night and I would be driven mad. Luckily, while listening to Liquid Metal the song "Mistakes Like Fractures" by Knocked Loose hit and completed wiped the memory of horrible holiday music from my memory. I was reset...sanity restored. Much love to Knocked Loose and Jose "the metal ambassador" Mangin.
I'm not going to sit here and lie, that music has some great beats sounds good and then ln the instance of rap they start to sing. I've never been to a club but I assume they do rap and not just like dubstep, in rap there's no longer substance behind lyrics still great beat but I can't just sit and listen to something without substance
My boss at a longtime job played fair and let everybody have a turn at playing their preferred music over the big Bluetooth speakers. Nothing stressed me out more than this one dude who insisted on playing 90s EDM. My god, my being a musician made it even worse, because it's impossible for me to just "tune out" the music. This EDM would come on, and it was just the same thing over and over and over. Kick drum doing that steady, never-changing 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4... and then everything else in the song being patterns that keep repeating, and toss in a four-word lyric that is just repeated over and over. GAAAAAAAH! Some music is meant for a specific purpose, and EDM is meant for dancing, not listening.
I started listening to metal when I was depressed as a teen. I used it as a release for any anger and bad feelings I had. I used it as fuel to do good at school, workout regularly, go to work, and just try to be as social and happy as possible. Now 10 years after starting listening to metal its my favorite music genre which I listen to almost exclusively and I try to spread its power and energy with as many people as I can. There's some metal genre for everyone I assure you that, and once you find it you'll feel more powerful than ever!
I'm a metalhead, physician, and epidemiologist, but also love classical music. Metal music means for me the modern way to experience new horizons and emotions. Whenever I have to make a presentation, I always listen to some metal to ease myself and feel peace. Yes, I'm also an introvert
I play the piano (mostly classical) and listen to metal and people just can't imagine that this is possible. Good thing to know that I'm not the only one
Nice comment bro. I'm an introvert and metalhead, mainly industrial, groove and thrash metal, but I can sit down and listen to Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. I also love a good heavy representation of like Fur Elise or Beethoven's 5th. So thank you for that comment brother.
I'm also an introverted metalhead. I didn't go to my first concert until I was 26, because tbh I prefer enjoying music on my own. I also like classical, though I honestly feel like that was the metal of that time. Moonlight sonata 3rd movement sounds abslutely beastly on the electric guitar (go check out Tina S' cover of the song, it's so good).
@@IllusionaryFuneral I suppose I'll have to take your word for that; not something I've heard. When I think of metal, I think of music like Iron Maiden and Metallica; no chaos there.
Going to an Iron Maiden concert and seeing an old man raising his cane in cheer while a 5 year old was screaming with his parents behind him.... This is why we love it, it makes us feel something, inspiration or community.
Metal has changed my life for the better in so many ways. Mostly because of the community. I’ve made so many life long friends just off the basis of we both like the same music. And as a guitarist, I don’t think I would be playing music at all if I didn’t like metal
Metal heads tend to have a more diverse and wider range of musical interests than other genre fans. I can appreciate any form of music from classical to contemporary and everything in between. From what I have experienced listeners whose primary genre is top 40 or anything else, they tend to only listen to that genre while shunning all other styles.
I think this is very subjective though. Speaking personally, I typically don't listen to other music besides metal (and the many sub-genres). I do however like classical, scores (from anime, games or films) but that's about it.
Absolutely could not agree with this more. When I’m in a bad mood, I listen to metal and I end up HAPPIER and feeling much better after a bit. It helps me channel and get through my emotions
Coming from a classical background and being singing my whole life, I discovered that metal is the music you can't necessarily sing along with. Metal has to be listened to very closely and with your full attention. I can't have it in the background or while I'm busy with something else. Which makes it such an intense experience. It's really like therapy for me - maybe because it's an almost meditative activity for me.
EXACTLY - I am metal musician from FINLAND and all my life saturated with metal music - and I simply can not listen to metal music if I do not give it FULL 666% ATTENTION - it is deeply meditative state
You could try Atmospheric Black Metal for background noise. Some of it makes me feel like I‘m wading through 3 feet of hardened snow in a forest. I love it.
In 2014 I had just gotten out of a 11month relationship when I was 17 with my then fiance and I was severely depressed and suicidal and when we were together I rarely listened to metal even though I grew up listening to metal but when I was with her she had me listening to Christian music and K-pop. But when she dumped me after I caught her sleeping with her ex boyfriend I was severely suicidally depressed I turned back to metal and the band that saved my life from suicide was Slipknot and their song called snuff which was basically telling a story very similar to what I was going through. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I had the gun to my head and ready to pull the trigger when the song came on. And the line "it took the death of hope to let you go" is what saved me from suicide. And even today I'm still dealing with depression, anxiety and severe stress and trust issues but I always listen to metal to help keep me calm as best as possible.
Bro ... that feeling though! Slipknot, Bullet For My Valentine, Pierce The Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, Alesana, As Blood Runs Black, and (my favorite) Make Them Suffer, all kept me sane enough to get through (but not over) my ex, who I thought was cheating on me while I was trying to deal with a secret addiction to pain meds and undiagnosed lupus... whenever my thoughts turned to suicide, those bands put a hand through the breach to keep me off the ledge. I totally get it!
Volume 3 was one of the strands of the rope that pulled me out of the deep and very dark hole in my own head that I was stuck in when I was going through a divorce and losing my daughter 15 years ago. Glad you stuck around brother. \m/
Reah, reminds me of the time last year some study came out "proving the existence if male bisexuality". You could have just asked us, and we would have told you metal was carthatic🙄
Metal has helped me in so many ways. Confidence, self acceptance, acceptance of different emotions, feeling a part of a community, it’s brought me immense joy and calm and never feeling alone.
Metal's intensity of emotional expression tends to attract a very artistically minded audience. Metalheads are some of the most creative people you will meet, in all areas of the arts.
It’s often the musical technicality that attracts creative people. The genre is always pushing for harder instrumentation and new ideas, so it’s no wonder metal is one of the most progressive modern genres
True. My best friend and I are both metalheads and classical music enthusiasts. She has an outstanding ability to draw, she plays the piano with a burning passion and occasionally writes. She's an extremely creative, complex and spiritual person. I too have many artistic hobbies. I am mainly a writer, and I can play the acoustic guitar and draw. But I honestly think my friend is on another level. I couldn't ask for more, I admire her so much.
A classical music composer once said that Heavy metal in all it's subgenres are the only musical genre currently that feels similar to classical music in that it's musicians ry to make the most of each instrument as well as emulating emotions through only instruments.
During my high school years, I struggled a lot with depression and anxiety. On one of my darker days, I accidentally stumbled across this amazing metal song that perfectly mirrored what I felt. Up to that point, I had never listened to metal since I had been told for years by friends and family that it was "devil music". Hearing it for myself and being so able to relate with it was a really important thing for me, though. I became a metalhead after that experience and never looked back. Since then, I do feel more stable and more capable of managing my mood, which has really helped me as I've moved into different stages of life. In a way, metal saved my life back then and I'm really glad that some of the stereotypes around it are starting to fade away.
Same. I remember discovering Linkin Park, Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, stuff like that, back in the day, and for the first time, I got to hear music that directly reflected how I felt, people singing about things that I didn't know how to put into words. I found so much solace in that. And yeah, my childhood was a wreck, so I struggled with depression and self harm a lot, even tried to unalive myself. But through all of it, ihad music to help. And it's one of the HUGE reasons I'm still here today. I look back, and as difficult as things were, I honestly can't imagine what of have done if I hadn't found rok and metal music. Because it would have been so much worse. Now that I'm 33 I still listen to metal and go to metal shows, and I still love it just as much. I'm thankful I'm in a much better place in my life. And I genuinely think that metal music is one of the things I have to thank for that
Metal music is brutally honest and up front. The music to me is like holding up a mirror to society and for most of us a shield to cope and confront life struggles and hardships.
I've had this talk with my kids. My 14 yo daughter has discovered several metal bands during her musical journey, although she's not a metal head, she acknowledges that some songs helps her emotionally when puberty hits hard. My 11 yo son has just asked me to make a metal play list for him, to help coping with those same issues. He's had a lot of issues fitting in at school because he's into ttrpg, older music and other non conformist hobbies. So he's been feeling like an outsider.
People seem shocked every single time I say that I like to sleep listening to genres like brutal death metal. I'm aware that this type of music is not easy to listen, however it makes me calm when I'm tryin to sleep 😴
Same here! The harder, the more brutal it gets the better helps me to sleep. And even after very intense brain-work days, when I feel my brain like starts to burn off itself, I just listen to the heaviest and technical death metal that I can find to reset and soothe my head.
interesting sharing! i derive quite a degree of comedic relief in brutal death metal. a band whose music i derive feelings of calming towards sleeping is insomnium
I was ridiculed as a teen for listening to metal. My parents stole my tapes and burnt them because they were told that metal was evil and they were trying to protect me from it. Today they are incredibly apologetic and embarrassed for what they did and how they reacted to something they didn't really understand and what religious ideology at the time preached. My school peers gave me crap because I listened to Metallica long before the black album made it cool. 33 years later my love of metal has not changed. I am a professional Captain with a major airline and a respected member of the community. I love my parents and I tease them over the times they overreacted when I was a teen. I understand that the image some metal bands portraits can be quite shocking and offensive (deliberately) so I do understand why some people have pre conceived ideas of metal music and those who listen to it. I love it when people learn I'm a metal head because I appear normal (no Tatts, piercings, I don't wear black etc) and they know me long before they know my music tastes so don't judge me on my music tastes. Thank you so much for exploring the premise that metal is somehow wrong and disruptive and those that like it are but jobs. Great job, keep it up! 👍😋
I'm Swedish and someone asked me once why there are so many metal bands coming from Sweden and Scandinavia. I said that it's because the cold and darkness of the north pisses everyone off and that metal is an excellent way to release that pent up anger. I was half-joking at the time, but I do think that music can have that effect on you. However, I also believe that it all comes down to preference. Someone who enjoys metal will find comfort in it and even get a calming effect from listening to it, while for someone else they would get the same effects from jazz or what have you. What works for one person might not work for another and vice versa. I am also not the least bit surprised that listening to music will do a better job at calming someone down than sitting in silence - if you're just sitting in silence, you're just stewing in your feelings and whatever pissed you off, whereas if you're listening to something it'll eventually distract you from what angers you.
As someone from northern Sweden, I can honestly vouche for the notion that having no daylight for half of the year definitely gets me pent up sometimes. Metal is a great way to process and deal with it.
@@TheKungFung absolutely! There is also Katatonia! Ackerfeldt is a huge fan of that band. And vice versa by the way... Both bands are dark, heavy, romantic... and with unique personalities even though they both sound very different. It might not be your cup of tea but it's really worth checking!
As a person with an ED, all this aggression and anger and loudness of metal just takes over the chaotic thoughts in my head and thus makes me more peaceful.
Well, I am 45 and listened to metal since I was 16 (mostly power and progressive metal) . I like many music genres, I think that metal has also help me to find and like baroque classical music! But now that I am father of two girls, one 4 and the other 2 years old and that my stress is rising, I definitely say that discover more extreme genre as metalcore or melodeath is a way to calm myself down. But the music I listen to depends on how I am feeling in that moment...
EDM is at least as wide and varied, it's absurd how much subgenre there is to it. Jazz is also a good contestant. Hip-hop will probably eventually reach such a variety.
Pissed off about society: Rage against the machine Feeling emotional: My chemical romance Feeling rather romantic: Type O Negative Feeling like a goofball: Devin Townsend Just feel like smashing someone's face in: Skinless Metal has a taste and tone for every emotion your feeling and helps you to foccus and channel it. Hence why I've been listening to it for 30 years now.
Bro i love skinless, i went to a concert a few years back and the singer was arrested in another country for drunk driving lmao. But yeah skinless is the best.
If it wasn't for metal I would be dead, depression got me really bad when I was 21 and listen to metal was one of the only things that made me feel good.
I was raised by metal heads and find the heavyness of the guitars and drums soothing. Apparently they used to play it to us as babies to calm us down when nothing else helped. I think it’s a protective factor and a healthy coping mechanism for times with overwhelming emotions.
Religious institution : metal is the devil's music Media : is metal DangErOuS for you children? Science: metal listener more likely to be institutionalize Society: Why are you anti-social? me: take a guess
I am a christian but a guilty pleasure of mine is an album I just blasted loud in my car earlier tonight just for the fun of it was Marilyn Manson Antichrist Superstar
I always say something similar to that when someone comments on whatever extreme vocals are coming out of my speakers at the time. They say, “Wow he sure is angry. How can you listen to someone scream at you constantly?” I say, “They aren’t screaming at me, they’re screaming for me. It’s better that they do the screaming than me”
I’ve loved metal since being a teenager. It’s comforting when needed, exciting when needed, it’s expressive... I just love it! I love many types of music also. Music in general has a way of speaking to people that words don’t fully capture. There are genres that drive me nuts (most rap and pop) but I understand those genres bring to people what metal and rock does to me, so good on them for finding a sound to love, to each their own.
I was young during the eras of classic metal in the 70's such as Deep Purple and hair metal in the 80's spearheaded by Van Halen so that's the sub genres I prefer. I have a compilation album called Soft Metal with songs from bands who would be more hard rock or alternative metal than heavy metal.
Since i start hearing metal and rock, i feel more relaxed and happier than ever(sorry for my bad inglish) i also have more control with my emotios and feelings. So yeah, metal and rock change my life
Metal actually saved my life in a way. When I was young I was lost in life. I had good grades but I hated studying and school and didn't want to go to college because I hated the stress. But when I started listening to metal I started feeling better, really better! When I was listening to it I felt in another world I actually felt happy and relaxed! Now I have a normal job, I go to all the concerts I can and I am happy, all due to metal!
I love you. "Walk the rope, walk the rope, from everything to nothing Hope you know, hope you know, this music is our therapy A song for those who never give up and walk the rope, walk the rope We will overcome" While She Sleeps - Life in Tension (Album: Brainwashed)
I know this video is older, but just to add my $0.02, I can say that rock, and as I've gotten older, metal, has been a release of negative emotion for me. I can actually vividly remember portions of my life that have certain themes of rock or metal associated with them. When I hear certain songs it takes me back to those times when those songs carried me though, and they remind me of how far I've come. As an example, I was big on Avenged Sevenfold, 3-Days Grace, Disturbed, and Breaking Benjamin in college. Later on figuring out marriage and my career it was Alter Bridge, Slipknot, Wage War, etc. Then after my divorce and other life challenges it was again Slipknot, August Burns Red, Bleed From Within, We Came as Romans, Spiritbox, etc. I can associate all of these artists and their songs with distinct feelings I had during rough periods of my life more than any other type of music. To that end, I enjoy most types of music, but my go-to is always rock/metal, particularly for those pesky life issues we all have to deal with!
I rember alot of ppl getting stake for this untill the teachers listened to it themselves and that was it they reveled against the other teachers who done this since that
Luckily for me, I had no such problems. My teacher of English was a metalhead and gave me some albums as a present at the end of my final year. I'll always remember his lesson on "The rime of the ancient mariner" by S. T. Coleridge, during which he recited the part starting with "day after day, day after day we stuck, no breath nor motion" as if it was being sung by Bruce Dickinson. Hell yeah!!
@@gianz73 I’m actually listening to Maiden right now, for the greater good of god off of the legacy of the beast live album, I saw them on the tour as well
People expect metalheads to go crazy when listening to it but it's honestly something chill to do. While driving or playing video games. Helps me relax when I'm angry or makes me smile when in a good mood haha 🤘🏽🤘🏽
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I felt like I had to add to the list of themes present in metal music. One thing that was not mentioned on your list was dissonance to societal Norms or expectations as well as societal hypocrisy. Some metal music especially now, is very much an observation as well as a weighing of that observation to what the heart says or knows to be true.
Not a metal head, per se, but I did spend my late teen and early adult years listening to some rather extreme music: Einstürzende Neubauten, KMFDM & Ministry. I also listen to bands like Swans, Sunn O))), Laibach, and... Merzbow! (An acquired taste to be sure.) As to the points in your video, I can anecdotally agree that said music made my black-clad denizen of the dark less antisocial and much kinder to themselves and others - from within the clique. After all... belonging somewhere is important, no matter where that is.
Loooove Metal!! My favorite would be stuff from the "hair metal 80s" as well as some of the heavy stuff from 90s and modern. 80s glam metal seems more about fun ... some "satanic" stuff was jus parody... Not a huge fan of the "death metal" - was okay, just not my jam. Was great for my life...I'm happy and when I'm angry or upset, the music helped me deal with stuff... But just don't make me listen to jazz...ugh!
Normal people: "Metal makes you violent." Me: **playing Slime Rancher to some dude ripping his vocal cords out about wanting to just fight people** Also me: "OOOH A MONEY SLIME!!! :O"
As a Metalhead myself, I can without a doubt tell you that listening to this kind of music absolutely gives you a cathartic experience. The heavy and aggressive sound allows the listener to vent though the chaos. Myself being a musician as well, Metal is the only modern music today that challenges the mind. One example is: "What tuning is this in? What time signature are they using? What scales/modes/chords are they using? Are there any polyrhythms? What subgenre is this?," etc. There are so many different questions you can ask yourself about it, which in turn, takes your mind elsewhere and out of that dark place. Side note, a lot of metalheads also like Classical music, as it's very closely related in terms of composition.
Mad respect for anyone who can shred. Most people don't realize how much talent it actually takes. Unlike most modern pop "musicians" who really only know how to play a mixing board.
I find my main music genre I love is metal, but I've never been attracted to classical or jazz (though I love jazz and classical influences in metal). I like a shit ton of other things tho like pop, emo, country, 80's, electronic, there's just a lot of really good fucking music out there
I love when I'm driving down the streets blaring my favorite metal songs and people turn to give me the stank face. Metal is so mind blowingly misunderstood. My favorite aspect of metal music is the skill it takes to pull off some of the instrumentals that come out of this genre which i feel anyone who has a deep respect for music itself can appreciate metal for that alone if nothing else. It's my unprofessional opinion that metal music is such a positive influence for those who love it because the music is expressing its fans inner thoughts and feelings in a way we cant. People are so quick to give me the stank face when I blast my favorite songs, they can't or won't hear the lyrical imagery or the observations on things like love or loss. Most of the time the lyrics are more profound than you'd hear in any other genre. And yes some are just an outright "fuck you" which I also love because I'm the kind of person who you could insult straight to my face and I'd just continue smiling and nodding because I'm so nonconfrontational I don't even recognize when someone is being blantantly rude to me. If I could tell someone fuck you in a way that you could hear and feel the frustration I'm experiencing, maybe I'd be able to stick up for myself more often, but since aggression isnt in my nature at all, metal expresses it for me. More often than not you'll find that people who truly love and appreciate metal are some of the nicest, more reasonable and intelligent members of society.
I am 41 years old, I have been listening to Metal music for 32 years. Music, the lyrics with different meanings, the power that this music gives you. It is a combination of peace of mind and joy with a dose of Epic power. Metal Music speaks to the mind in the heart to the soul. Metal music has been my psychiatrist all these years.
As a therapist as well as a metal vocalist this is incredible! There are a couple different phenomenon that happen when people listen to music. Basic terms, there's vibe matching where we want to put in sounds that reflect how we're feeling and then there's a physical element where the heavy drums guitars and vocals create a physical sensation of "yas." It's been incredible to see how therapeutic this has been both within the metal community I see as musician as well as within my clients coming in for mental health services 🤟🏾
Hello Beth and anyone reading this, i'd love to share my story with all of you. (caution: it's a long story, 5-6 minute read) How I discovered metal music: I never really knew my father, my mom and dad split up before my mother even knew she was pregnant of me. I may have seen him once or twice in my life, but nothing more. I always was drawn to music, but had the influences from my mother; Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Cindy Lauper, UB40, Boy George and some Dutch music. At age 11, my father showed up. And he brought a VHS tape of Metallica's Live Shit: Binge & Purge show. We watched that together, my 11 year old ears couldn't comprehend the complexity of the music. But I was amazed by seeing James Hetfield screaming his guts out and it was the coolest thing i've ever seen. But never really listened to it again. a year later, at age 12, a boy from my grade school class played a song on a classical guitar during show and tell. I thought it was the coolest thing, that year for christmas, I asked my mom for a guitar. And I got it, a very cheap classical guitar. I started taking lessons soon after. I was a "gifted" guitar student and excelled pretty quickly. A year or 2 later, around age 14, during one of my guitar lessons I asked my teacher if I could play on his electric he had hanging on the wall and I loved it. At this time, I've gotten a little more advanced to most of his students and he couldn't teach me the basic things anymore you'd typically teach beginners. So he introduced me to AC/DC and Metallica. And I started learning their songs. At which point, I asked an electric guitar for christmas, which I also got, being born into a not so wealthy family, the entire family chipped in to give me a starters pack stratocaster copy. Which I played to death. As I was looking for more and more challenging things to learn on guitar, I re-discovered Metallica, as well as Guns N Roses. And I fell in love with Hardrock and Metal music. The interest in the genre grew, and by age 16 I was a full blown metalhead, and met more and more people and life long friends who shared the same passion for music. Mental health: I always was a shy and anxious kid, but during my high school days, around age 15, I started developing more and more issues. I kept feeling suddenly unwell. But didn't know what it was. I knew I had emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting. Which probably was the cause for this. At age 16 I got diagnosed with panic disorder. The sudden feelings of being unwell turned out to be panic attacks. And it interfered with my school work (I ditched school a lot, because I couldn't handle being in a school, which in turn caused me to get expelled), and my social life. I was put on antidepressant medications. Which helped at first, but after a year the effects wore off and a long journey of panic attacks, anxiety, and depression because of that, was soon to follow. And I still struggle with it today, at age 24. I noticed a lot of fellow metalhead friends (but by far not all) also experienced depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. And I think the reason why metal fans seem to more commonly have this issue, isn't because of the music causing it, it is because the lyrical themes in metal music explore these feelings, and it resonates with people struggling with them. They feel understood, heard, learn other people also struggle with these issues and they aren't alone. Which all feels very comforting. Other notes: So, I got pulled into metal music because I kept looking for more challenging things to play on guitar. I started up my first band at age 15 and continued to form bands and projects until I was 21. I met so many cool, integer, sympathetic people I've never met anywhere else. I also discovered I love to sing around age 18. I started taking lessons on and off for years and still continue to do so. I noticed when I feel down or depressed, and start singing, it lifts my mood so much, and makes me feel happy. Eventhough I still suck at it, don't know how to use distortion or grit, can't belt the high notes, don't know how to use my "mixed" voice, etc. but it helps. Also just playing guitar and rocking out helps me to release so much frustration, and creating new songs just keeps my mind occupied so I stop to think about my issues with anxiety. And listening to hardrock, heavy metal, and grunge, also helps me cope with so many feelings. And another reason why Metal music is so appealing to me and others and especially musicians, is that it's so intellectually and creatively stimulating. There's so much going on, different layers of instruments, guitar solo's, REAL people playing REAL instruments, singers showing what the human voice is capable off and how much variety you can use in your singing. You can hear the humanity, and creativity, and dynamics, which are all gone in modern day pop and hiphop and overproduced 'big record label' rock music. If you read all of this, I love you, and you're the real MVP.
This is lovely and pure. Hope you are doing well ! Life ain't easy and music in general helps us to cope with it, but as long as still exists metal, we are safe buddy. Greetings from Portugal
I love this story. I completely agree with the final point. You can't hear the humanity, creativity or any dynamics in modern big record music. There are a few outliers but not many. I discovered rock when one friend recommended Hotel California and I loved it. I eventually discovered Queen and AC/DC through movies and then just started finding more and more bands and eventually Metallica which got me into Metal. I started playing my guitar about a 20 months ago and I just enjoy it so much even if I'm not that good.
I don't know what to say this story made me cry i dont have many problems but i have autism and anger issues and metal helps me to deal with what i have so thanks for this
I was raised on all the hair metal of the 80s-90s. In 2016 I heard Reign of Darkness by Thy Art is Murder for the first time. I had never heard someone express such raw, unfiltered emotions in their vocals and it resonated with me. I was dealing with a lot of stress and anger at the time and I couldn't describe what I was feeling until I started listening to death metal. When I hear a solid scream from a vocalist ((in my opinion)) it's like you can hear all of the heart wrenching bitter hatred in their voice, like they're screaming for you instead of at you.
I've said for years that metal is actually relaxing to me and people look at me weird.
have the same prolem my friend, they look at u like your a nutjob :-/
Same.
🙄Tell me about it.... I KNOW
I play metal to fall asleep! And sleep like a baby!!
Same here. Only my non-metal friends couldn't understand though. I'd usually say something like " I play Heavy Metal to calm down", and the reaction was usually like😳🤯
"Metal is a friendly way to enjoy aggression"
That is legitimately the most amazing way I've heard that put
Yeah this is basically it. Mad? Thrash or metalcore makes me calm. Sad? Doom makes me contemplative and hopeful. Nihilist? Death Metal reminds me that life is precious and shouldn't be wasted.
Quite like how horror films or games are a safe and fun way to get scared.
This is soooo true
I legit got goosebumps, because it was the *single* best way I've ever heard it put.
You can also say "to release aggression". There are so many bottled up feelings that we have no outlet for, and aggressive music helps a LOT
What most people don’t get, is that I’m not depressed and angry because I’m listening to metal, it’s actually the other way around.
Same here
Facts
Same
This man spitting straight facts here
Exactly. I feel connected to the bands that I listen to and know that I'm not alone on issues
I'm not sure if anyone can identify with this, but metal makes me feel powerful in a world where I feel powerless. As soon as something heavy starts, I feel 10ft tall and bulletproof for a moment. It's deeply satisfying and cathartic and gives me a break from the world.
Same here dood
100% agree. I’ve always had abysmal confidence/ self esteem so the lyrical theme in metal about cultivating strength is what drew me to the genre. Been exploring it for a couple years now and everyone who knows me is noticing my character is changing for the better. There’s some specific lines I want to list that stay with me.
“Is anybody listening?
Can anybody tell me why I can't get up?
Why can't I get up?
Down on my knees as the world comes falling down
My fear chained to the ground for my will is weak
And my state is bleak
But I'm bound to break free
Pride running through my veins
My chains lay flat around me”
- Currents
“I stand free, I refuse to be surrounded
Driven to increase my own power by creation the purest choice
You wield the sword, the pain is left aside
And I have left my tears behind me
I purge myself of resentment, I breathe the air of freedom”
- Gojira
“I will go down in history and not down in flames
Give me a minute and I’ll change your mind
Give me a bullet and I’ll change your life
I guess I’ll never believe in anything, but my solace is I can handle everything”
- Slipknot
@@zacharydunn5244
"This is my identity
Fading away in this sea of grey
Just a little glimpse to stay
Building an empire to remain (to remain)
The ashes of my past will alleviate the pain"
Identity by the band Cypecore
@@nightstorm5914 fantastic song, thanks for sharing 👊
The ones i quoted are Better Days- Currents, adoration for none- gojira, gematria- slipknot, wherein lies continue- slipknot
I do.
It is ironic when they called Metal the devil’s music, but a lot of the metal tracks seem to be about anti war
Because it goes against the corrupt goverment
But if you read the Bible, God is a self admitted genocidal war lord who explicitly commanded his followers to keep the virgins of conquered tribes as sex slaves, so that statement makes sense... Matthew 10:34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." See, clearly those metal-heads are satanists because they advocate for peace, instead of war and moral depravity as the good ol' bible does.
@@farrex0 True
@@farrex0 what the.... Really ?! (İm not christian)
@@savasayaz8224 God committing genocide in the bible, happens more often than how many times it is said that killing and or murder is wrong... There is no verse denouncing slavery, but many verses condoning it, even sex slaves. God gives several reasons why killing someone is right, such as cursing your father “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death." Exodus 21:17
There is a very long list of reasons to kill someone in the bible, some of them being very explicitly asks the person to kill, others a bit more interpretation friendly, such as saying that it causes death.
Metal isn't angry _at_ you, it's angry _with_ you
That's one of the truest sentences I have read about metal in a while.
@@randomdude1124h Metal is self-empowerment, and anger can be useful when trying to finish a physical task due to the adrenaline and energy rush.
Thanks Jesus
333
You need to put this quote on your tombstone
i think music like this doesn't cause depression, but attracts people with it, because it helps you process it just like you showed with anger
Exactly!
yup yup
I had depression for many years and metal helped me trough it. And i will always love it for that
And lyrics aswell. Metal vocals are deep and show or reveal the side of life not alot of people understand but those that are depressed do bcs it hits close
There is a German power metal band named Freedom Call, they always say they're playing "Happy metal", making fun about it all the time during their gigs. 😄🤘
A few years back. I got into a Psychiatric hospital. I was Sick.
Than, someone in the hospital Introduced me to Metal, at first i thought it was noise. But than i really tried to listen to this, and i was SO surprised to see how it effected me. Suddenly i was so much calmer, healthier, I was able to see things more clearly. I felt so much better... Metal literally SAVED my life.
Thank you everyone who is open minded enough to try and listen to Metal.
That's great to hear. I also struggle with my studies too. And metal help me through all the stress. 👋👋👋👋
I find it funny that you could rewrite most metal stuff for classic instruments and it still would sound fantastic. That is probably one of the reasons it works.
@@MrDoreius Don't tell it to them though cuz they will all kill themselves
Good to hear you found something that helps! Now I am interested in what bands you listen to if you don't mind me asking af course 🤟🤟🤟
That's wonderful to hear. I my self would probably not be here anymore if I wasn't introduced to metal because i was heckin depressed and then I found a way to let my emotions out savely
90% of people that think metal is just screaming and headbanging have never even looked at the lyrics of these songs. Metal bands have one of the deepest and relatable stories that you could ever imagine. Also, not all metal songs need to have distorted screaming vocals.
I agree, but it also depends on the band. I mean, imagine if they looked at infant annihilator's lyrics.
Avenged Sevenfold is a good example
Also, metal bands have more talented musicians than other popular music genres, and they often work harder for their music and their shows.
This is true in the opposite way too tho. Metal has some of the best and worst songwriters in music
Lol Hammer Smashed Face 😅😅
going to a metal concert is actually one of the things that make me the happiest lol
i was supposed to go to a tool concert then the big rona hit and now i'm mad.
@@shanegrant2927 i feel you. the last concert i went to was in 2019 and i miss live shows so much!
@@LadyLazarus1027 I was lucky enough to go to black label on march 10 the day before quartine
We was meant to see Lamb of God last April for my partners birthday.
Missing metal gigs is real frustrating.
Our last one was motionless in white back in dece 2019 :-(
Me too. I have been extremely bummed that shows were canceled for the Rona.
Metal doesn't cause violence, it's a way to find peace within the violence
Would you mind if I used this comment on a paper I am writing? I think it could be a great take-home message to end it :)
All Of This!!!
I found indie rock fans to be more aggressive especially at the height of its popularity during the Britpop era of the mid 90's & then again with the resurgence of indie in the mid 00's. I found that on the official band forums and at the Reading Festival when the acts were nearly all indie rock bands that year. My male friends who were into heavy metal, dressed all in black & who either went to Download or the Steelhouse festivals were the mildest people though. I felt like joining them there but I only like certain bands and it's mostly for the ballads & covers. It's the same with punk as well.
Yeah...I would think with all the overproduction and commercilizing of pop music THAT might be the most likely genre that could cause anxiety...LOL
@@hiptoalieu Especially now with autotune. Some of the pop music of the 80's was good though. Some soft rock bands such as Snow Patrol sound much better live than in the studio with the same songs because of over production even in that genre.
Metal doesnt explore just negative emotions, ive herd metal songs about love and other emotions, metal often explores more complex emotions and dives deeper into different situations that make you feel alone or uncomfortable. Makes you feel understood
Ren, "Hi Ren" did that in a big way, not metal at all.
Yes. Which is why people who struggle with something like depression may be more into it because it explores deeper themes and you feel understood
It also talks about world problems better than any other genre imo
@@ghad6799 yes exactly. It doesn't talk about b****** and hoes, getting high and killing my "rivals" for money. Metal lyrics are much more meaningful.
@@trophyscene5015 limp bizkit would disagree
Another callout from the masses, and MASSIVE fan. Metal IS catharsis. Its a way to expel negetive energy in a healthy way with a community of like minded people standing by ur side. Hence why when someone falls in a mosh pit. We pick em up so we can all keep going!!!
Hell yeah brother!
Cool to see you here.
Metal head community has some toxic elitists unfortunately
This. If it weren't for metal, there would be a lot more dead people in this world. It helps people, especially me, understand my emotions better. It just feels good and right to jam out to some badass shit. It's one of those unmatched experiences in life \m/
I have extreme social anxiety and start hyperventilating in groups of more than a few people. The one exception is when I'm at a concert. The metal community is embodied by acceptance. Completely different people all there for different reasons. I don't know you, you don't know me, but somehow the eccentricities of the individuals accentuate the feeling of both belonging and uniqueness. I see a 50 year old overweight man with pierced nipples and his chest hair shaved in the shape of a heart wearing a leather vest and biker jeans and he belongs just as much as the typical college guy in board shorts and a t shirt and the experience and community would be lessened if either of them weren't there.
The stereotype of the angry, maladjusted metal head goes out the window when you see a hulking, 200 pound, tattoed and pierced guy in a spiked leather vest at the register in a super market turn around to give the little freightened girl behind him a lollypop as a present and beg for forgiveness for having scared her. True story. Happened at Waken Open Air in Germany.
Your guy is the Typical metalhead actually
@@supremelordoftheuniverse5449 you're right is is the most typical metalhead, but in the public eye almost no one knows that metalheads are completely normal people.
Hulking
200 pound
What
And the antisocial myth gets blasted apart when you see an elderly woman decide the Slipknot show's a little too intense (poor lady probably got tricked into the show by her granddaughter or something), decides to step out and an entire crowd of rabid metalheads just stop rocking out in the middle of "Eyeless" and part like the red sea to let her through.
Also a true story.
@@luketufts6827 Might have been 4 feet tall.
My wife, when she was 7 month's pregnant went with me to a Metal Festival. In public places, she'd often have to stand in buses and trains during the daily commute, but at this festival full of metal heads, they would invite her to cut in line for LONG bathroom (porta potty) lines, water fountains, etc. This is one of the most civil group of people around.
My husband and I went to see Slipknot at the Iowa State Fair when I was 7.5 months pregnant. So many people came up to me welcoming our son into the metal family.
Metalheads know when to break the rules for the right cause. There's efficiency in order, there's beauty in chaos.
So wholesome
They wouldn't do that so much at the music festivals known for indie rock such as Reading, Leeds, V or T in the Park.
As someone who's been to literally hundreds of concerts, I can EASILY say that the crowds at metal shows are the most respectful and kind I've ever seen, bar none. I've gone to see plenty of shows, of all genres, from opera to raves to heavy metal shows. But metal shows by far are my favorite because they're just a good time, and everyone is so nice.
I'm a 115 pound girl, and I regularly jump into moshpits. Sure, I get knocked around a lot, but EVERY single time, I've had multiple people pull me back up right away. I've lost my glasses and within seconds there will be 3 dudes asking what I've lost and helping me look for them. Lost my wallet once and didn't even go five minutes before someone handed out back to me. Even when crowd surfing people are respectful and don't get hands or try to touch you inappropriately. At least they've never done that to me
And yeah, honestly, I think there are some correlations between people who suffer from mental health issues and people who listen to metal. But it's the other way around. Metal doesn't cause the problems. The people suffering from mental health problems gravitate towards metal because they relate to the themes often brought up in that music. That music makes them feel seen and heard, helps them navigate those difficult feelings. It gives voice to things they don't know how to say. Those songs about depression and isolation help people who are depressed and isolated to feel less alone with what they're going through.
And that's exactly why I listen to it. Because I've been through a ton of traumatic shit, and rock and metal has always helped me deal with that stuff, specifically because it's a genre that tends to tackle those kinds of things. Metal gives me solace, gives me an outlet. And it gives me a space to connect with emotions that aren't usually fun to feel. I can cry along to a sad song and process those feelings in a healthy way because the music helps me.
When I've had a bad day at work and I'm pissed, I listen to the angriest, heaviest songs on my Playlist. (Gasoline by I Prevail is a favorite) and it helps me feel better. It helps me channel my anger into something that's healthy and won't hurt anyone. I can let myself sit with that anger while I listen to that music and process it instead of slapping a patient (hospital work is not for the weak). And I always feel better after having listened to some music.
That's why we like it.
Also, I feel compelled to mention that metal also had so many talented musicians it's absurd. People think it's just noise, but there's a ridiculous amount of technique there to be appreciated
So fucking real, I couldn't agree with you more. A crowd usually is just a shitload of people, but at metal concerts, a crowd is a unity. People are so kind to each other, it's incredible.
And for the talent... As a drummer I never get sick of the complexity of songs by artists like Infant Annihilator, Slaughter to Prevail and many songs from Kreator, and I could go on and on about the basslines in Cannibal Corpse, the guitar work in... Ah well. You get the point, haha.
So relatable, I teared up while reading your comment❤
@@Verulyrus i do. because even as a listener i could go on and on about all the riffs i like in stuff, how exciting it is watching a band on stage when you can tell they're having a great time and really feeling it too, how much fun i've had at shows, those amazing moments of connection when you're singing the words right back because you love a song that much and the singer looks right at you and you can see how happy it makes them to have people appreciate their music like that. I mean, i could talk about metal for hours on end, but at some point here, i think my fingers might just fall off from typing that much, lol
@@bottomofastairwell pushing buttons on a computer and having a computer do all the work will never compare to those people learning real instruments, and taking years to hone their skill for us, the fans. I don't get why it's so hard for people to understand that playing instruments is harder to do and takes more dedication, the messing around with a computer and making a machine do all the work. Metal music is what made me want to become a musician in real life anyway, that's how effective it is for its listeners. Playing Pop songs and other mainstream genres on instruments is boring because it's too easy, and I could learn it in a few minutes.
I have had similar experiences and you are 100% correct.
"Metal confronts what we'd rather ignore, it celebrates what we often deny, and it indulges in what we fear most. And that's why metal will always be a culture of outsiders."
-Sam Dunn, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. \../
@@victortesla4198 I could not agree more
@@victortesla4198 that is why I’m attracted to paganmetal so much, besides the story telling, they’re really telling you to persevere, not to give up and to stand up what you believe in. The battle hyms keep me going when it gets tough
Papa Dunn knows best
I couldn't agree more, well said.
To us! who dare to face our problem head-on instead of sheltering beneath the blanket of denial
I just turned 60 this week. I've been a metalhead for the past 50 years. I love metal because it's so honest. The lyrics often focus on mental health issues, being an outsider, war, politics, the environment (thank you, Gorjira!), etc. Metal definitely calms me down, allows me focus, gives me a place to belong, etc. I can't imagine my life without metal. I'll be a metalhead until I'm dead.
I'm finding alotof people , young, old and really old that love Gojira. They are what Metal is supposed to sound like.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! It is actually quite refreshing to hear music that deals with difficult human experiences head on. I think we need that.
The honesty. It is what some other trendy/popular music lacks, in my opinion. For me, it is better to face the problems or any of this life's downsides with the bravery and strength you've built from the pains of life that teaches us true wisdom and the truth about this life, than to just ignore it, do drugs, do party hard or fuck everyone around.
Bless you sir!
Golijra is a awesome band. 🤘
There's probably more classical music/metal fans than most people expect
True !
Count me in. Metal (or rock) and classical music are my most favourite music genres. Both have unprecedented highs and depths when I listen to them. They are calming and exhilarating at the same time. So there is little surprise that I also love their crossover - symphonic metal.
Yes completely! Symphonic metal fan here myself.
I can't believe that @bethroars didn't discover that in her studies! The number one most popular crossover genre with classical music, is heavy metal, and vice versa! I believe it's no coincidence, because both genres are the most technically complex and difficult to play styles of music that we know of.
This. For some reason I find more fans of classical music among metal fans around me than in fans of other genres.
I’m a metal musician. Before I joined a serious band, I falsely convinced myself that I was an introvert, because I had very few friends and I needed to justify why I was failing to connect with people. It turned out I was extroverted the entire time because when I started attending and playing metal shows, I blossomed socially and found the confidence in myself that I needed. Since then, I have realized that all of the darkest times in my life were when music wasn’t a part of it and the majority of my fondest memories were attending or performing metal shows.
What instrument do you play in the band?
I am 44 age metal musician myself as also from FINLAND - your story is beautiful and I am relating to it 666% \,,/
@@mikakettunen7939great metal has come out of your country.
Against the hordes of Russians.
I'm a metalhead and a Nigerian
So to most people I come across in my country "I'm disturbed by demons" or rather "possessed" and to the rest of the people that are usually learned "I'm depressed and suicidal" or "I'm weird"
Since I stopped listening to what people thought , Metal makes me happy , happy with myself and my life , it also helped me get through the COVID-19 lockdown
Sorry to hear you are alienated so badly where you live, I've dealt with the same treatment all of my life even despite having some metal head friends, so I know how it feels. I'm just really glad you figured out that only you know what's best for yourself! Cheers to carving your own path!
@@solidariusgaming2854
Thank you for your support 🥰🥰🥰😘
What are some of the bands you listen to?
@@I_Hate_UA-cam_Handles
Aetherian
Frozen Crown
Polaris
Tetrach
Babymetal
I scare easy so I have to be careful about certain bands because they are too creepy 😁😁
@@ebubedikedi1165 nice choices man
I personally listen to
Exodus
Slayer
Sepultura
Municipal Waste
Iron Reagan
Gojira
Cannibal Corpse
Meshuggah
I love both death and thrash these are just the bands I listen to the most
When you're going through intense, complex emotions, having intense, complex music really helps you process things. Metal really can be incredibly soothing.
Same thing but with jazz for me, it's so complex and the way the music flows it feels more free that classical music for example.
My goal is to actually show people how beautifully melodic metal songs actually are. For that I create piano arrangement of metal songs. I take requests all the time, and would appreciate it if you check it out 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Definitely soothing I put myself to sleep with metal playing in my headphones sometimes when I can't sleep
@@kicksboxes8372 Likewise! If I can't sleep, I always put on the Immortal At The Heart Of Winter album. The chaos, the complex time signature changes and the eerie, haunting guitar melodies always put me to sleep in a good way. Been listening to these guys since the nineties and it ha never gotten old for me.
Couldn't disargee. I've been always listening to rock music but metal is my music for hard times like nowadays.
People: Metal lyrics are about anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness.
My metal playlist: swords, elves, vikings, wars, and adventures.
Power-metal fans . I guess.
@@username123x and folk-metal
Power metal metalhead \m/
Me: Listening to Atilla - Pizza 😂
Fellow DragonForce fan? :)
Classical & metal music actually have a lot in common, especially in regards to their melodies.
Yes!
Metal is classical music with electricity😂
Cliff burton, who is arguably the greatest metal bassist of all time; studied classical music in college. You see how well they intertwined with each other!
@@Primogenitor. A lot of the classical composers would have been metalheads if born in the right era. Would have loved to have heard some of the stuff Beethoven or Tchaikovsky would have done with an electric guitar, especially Tchaikovsky.
Serj from soad also loves classical music it actually inspired the music he and his group makes according to a video I saw of him talking about it anyway
As a psychologist and a metalhead (for 20 years now), i loved this video. It's really important start to confront our emotions, instead of repress them. If you are really sad, feeling brooke inside, and you hear someone screaming his or her pain, you can empathize and not feel alone in your own pain. Someone saying what you can't say, could help you to confront your sorrows. And as you said, that's cathartic.
Also, the power in the melodies, rythms and lyrics, could make you feel stronger, more secure, even protected from the shit of the world.
Love you Beth! For more videos like this!
p.s: Tatiana!!!! OMG! We need an interview with that godess!
I think the members of Possessed got degrees in psychology.
Because listening to lots of screaming before bed helps some of us sleep better at night :D
Completely agree!! 🖤
And on the bring side even if you don't need cathartic effets. Theres metal about joyful subjects as well let's not forget bands like alestorm singing about friends, adventure and discovery. Aloen weaponry and ningen isu being based on history and classical litterature. Metalhead are some of the most emotionnally stable and empathic people i've met.
Me has leído el pensamiento, hermano jajaja
Breaking news: if you listen to music you enjoy, youre happy
🙌
Amen
420th like
Hahahaha YES! I love classic metal and also classical music, opera, samba, early electronic music… any genre that feels authentic and energetic will attract me. For the same reason I don't appreciate pop much.
Being an introvert, Metal is the way I'm able to get my aggression out without harm to myself or others 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Im an introvert and a hardcore death metal fan myself but im not a depressed person at all with anxiety or anything. Although my bipolar is kinda somethin else. Im a very aggressive person tho also. (when im by myself)
Truth... Fellow introvert sitting in my car at the moment!
@@noname-md6pw you’re bipolar but never depressed?
@@joshuagavaghan224 yep. Depression is not apart of my bipolar.
I can empathize. I used to fight, but then I found weights and metal. It's been 20+ years since my last bloody nose.
After 16 years of depression and suffering from burnout, listening to Babymetal by pure coincidence actually saved me from suicide. Although I had been into metal for a long time (Helloween fan since the beginning), I had never heard of this group before. UA-cam's algorithm thought it should play Babymetal's Ijime, Dame, Zettai while I was looking for a motorway bridge...
Went to the docs the next day and started therapy for three years. Made me learn Japanese to understand Babymetal's lyrics, got attracted to Wagakki Band (mixing traditional Japanese music with rock), Attarashi Gakko (literally an anti-idol group), Otoboke Beaver (great punk band) and some more. Met one of my Japanese penpals last year for a week and will travel across Japan with her for two months.
What's next? Only the Fox God knows... 🤘🦊🤘
Edit: typos...
Great to see an other Babymetal fan in the comments.
Babymetal was started as a sort of gateway band to metal music, but is also the gateway drug for Japanese music. 🙂
From what I know about Helloween when it comes to Babymetal songs IDZ is probably one of the songs which is closest to Helloween thus easier to get into Babymetal (some people see something like Gimme Choco and run the other way, later bumping into Babymetal songs years later and becoming a fan). Was it luck ? Was it the algorithm ? Was it the universe ? Or the Fox God ? Only the Fox God knows. 🙂
@@autohmae Hey, many thanks for your kind message. Yes, Babymetal definitely became some kind of a portal to Japanese music for me. 😁 During our journey across Japan, we are going to visit a live event with Nemophila (followed them since their early days), but I would also love to see Wagakki Band live... 🤗
I absolutely love the Shamisen, for example like when Benin Ninagawa plays her solos, or a duo from Tokyo called Ki&Ki. Looking for Kiki, Shamisen and "Tsugaru Jongara Bush" gets you one of my favourite ones. 😉
After a while I wanted to understand the lyrics of IDZ, and also to test if my brain was still working fine 😉 - so I started learning Japanese. I first saw the live version of 2014s Sonisphere which is, in my opinion, one of the best live performances of IDZ.
After I was able to understand the lyrics, I was like - wait, those little girls went from being bullied to *that* stage performance? 😲
I don't know, maybe I'm misinterpreting things... But when you see early Yui laughing and joking on stage - compared to the later forced, professional smile that broke down immediately when she turned away from the crowd... Was she physically or mentally exhausted? Maybe both... The idol business is cruel and challenging. Although many praise Moa for her cute dance acts and mention that Yui sometimes lags 😅, I see Yui danced far more precise and powerful than Moa (who gets away with not moving precise with a smile). So one could see that Yui got exhausted way more...
And we all know that physical stability is needed for mental stability, right?
I wonder if we will hear her solo projects, once Amuse Inc. will let her go. From what I have heard from other former idols, the companies are insane. Nobita and Dark Side Japan Yuki - both have great videos on this topic.
Edit: typos again... 😉
Freeking awesome! Babymetal kinda saved me from a dark place too!
dir en grey is also a pretty good Japanese band
@@autohmae Yup, I hated Gimme Choco and got an awful impression of Babymetal. Some time later I heard Megitsune and loved it. I'm still not a fan at all, but at least they have one song I really like, so my opinion has changed for the better.
"It's like...when life sucks, and you feel alone and empty; stick on some metal and life is better because somebody else knows the pain and the rage that you're going through, you know."- Deathgasm
This. This is how I’ve always used the music I listen to. It’s why I gravitate towards more theatrical stuff, in any genre. Metal isn’t common listening because I didn’t grow up exposed to it, but as an adult(aged30) I have found aspects of it truly enjoyable. Favorites currently include Nightwish, Aryeon, and Epica.
On a different note: depression runs in my family, and I suffer from it as well as some social anxieties. As stated above, metal is new to my life(in the last 3 years), so in my case at least, I would say it definitely didn’t cause those problems, nor does it exacerbate them for me.
Seeing this sentence after 3 years gave me such a heartwarming feeling. Now I'm gonna watch deathgasm again and relax while watching dozens of people being killed in sadistic ways. Thanks dude \m/
Awesome film \m/
A lot of the music I listen to gives voice and provides words to what I feel. I can't get that from pop, country, rap, etc.
The only enraging part of metal is when people interrupt me listening to it
And when they speak during the solo
Or when you brake somethin in a mosh pit and can't play eny instrument for a couple of months
Never interrupt the solo!
HA! Same.
I FEEL THIS ONE, EVERYDAY!
Ok so now Beth is on an “I can call up Tati from Jinjer for one of my videos” level.
I mean, I was trying my best not to fan girl :)
you put into words, what I was to slow to do \m/
@@BethRoars this made my day :)
Tati seems like such a wholesome person. All of Jinjer do, really
@@BethRoars You performed admirably haha.
I listen to metal because the lyrics touch so deep and the lyrics describe exactly how you feel. And that’s just one of the reasons why I love metal.
The lyrics in some Christian metal songs are as good as hymns written in the 1800s! It's a LOT of passion, and authenticity.
Oh, and jazz was the original "devil music" LOL
For folks who say that metal is just garbage lyrics, I ask them if they know Iron Maiden or early Metallica. Basing a song on Hemingway is far from garbage.
"Mainstream people" hate Metal because: it's honest.
so true
And they can’t stand the emotions it brings to the surface.
Yep.
If Everyone were like metal heads politicians would have to stop lying.
Noted
True
I was diagnosed with depression at age 8. Tried several medications with varied results for years. By age 12, I had already found metal music and started playing guitar. Soon, I quit my medications and started improving. The first time a stood in front of an audience and let out my pent-up anger through a guitar and a microphone, I was a changed man in the best way.
Beth, thank you for making this video!
Thank you for sharing your story!
I play as well. Nothing like it. It's like Metal was invented for me.
Immortal628 Its really cool to hear about your story. I’m glad that you found something to help yourself and hope you’re doing well. Hang in there and have a good one.
@@Wee_Gee I really appreciate that. No worries, though. All is well.
I started playing guitar when I was 11. I was a little ball of anxiety back when I was a kid, but when I was playing the guitar, that was the only thing I could hear while I was playing. It has always been an extremely spiritually uplifting experience to shred on my B.C. Rich Draco. I have learned so many songs from Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine, Disturbed, and plenty of others. With every song I've learned, it has decreased the feelings of depression within me and has given me purpose for myself. Your story is a great story of success after overcoming the odds. Keep it metal. \m/
"Rock is not the Devil's work, it's magical and rad"
- Jack Black, Kickapoo
No but she is the devil's work.. I envy the guy blessed to have her talk his ears off all day
@Afonso Topa lol
That has been known since a long ass fucking time ago. The devil is a cool guy though. Great violinist too.
@@justinvzu01 Johnny begs to differ
Well said, Anthony. Now go, my son, and rock.
I have major depression, anxiety, cptsd and I love melodic death metal when I feel down. It gives me strength, releases the feelings I am not able to express (anger, despair) and I feel less lonely because of the musicians and fans who seem to know how painful life can be. The people in my actual life don't understand. They just want me to stop being depressed.
15 Minutes of headbanging also helps a lot when I am stuck in freezemode from triggers.
I think one of the reasons why (almost) every metalhead you meet is a calm, open and friendly individual is because they have found a means of channeling their emotions in a healthy way through music. The same cannot be said for a lot of other people. It's like metal music exists for that sole purpose and that to me is beautiful.
1000% agree
Metal fans are some of the nicest you can come across. Ever fall over in a mosh pit? You’ll be helped back to your feet in seconds by everyone in the pit
So true. The pit isn’t everyone for themselves. We’re all in it together
True. Nice also means tolerant. If someone would attend a concert in a three piece suit, he would be treated as a hero.
Sometimes people even help you taking you off the pit just to ensure you aren't injured, and from time to time someone shares a beer with you. Metalhead community really feels as a brotherhood.
Yup...good people... I feel they want to be nice
until you meet elitists and fanboys
As a die hard metalhead. For me metal helped remedy the feeling of loneliness and all together being a social outcast. I reminded me that I'm not alone and that there are others that know the same rage and pain.
We do brother
Metal unites us in so many ways
Same as me, I could have posted this
I'm serious when I say that I like hanging out with outcasts. Once you get past the original awkwardness conversations get so much more interesting and you can talk about niche topics while otherwise you would have to talk about the weather or make bad jokes and pretend that you're best friends with them with canned enthousiasm during small talk.
@@Wonkess_Chonkess Like minds are more interesting than soulless idiots.
It's okay, people who like metal or more intelligent anyway usually, because we don't follow those mainstream things and can't easily be fed nonsense that they push in pop culture related things.
Before I met my girlfriend of 1 year I was going through a major depression. Started with the gym and listening to slipknot. Thanks to my Spotify I stayed discovering sub-genres. It went from Black metal, to speed metal, Metalcore, death metal, then my all time favorite Death Core. Hitting the weights while listening to metal help me focus my anger and sadness in a productive manner. After my gym session and some Paleface Swiss I would feel an overwhelming calm wash over me. It really made me a better and happier person. Thank you Metal Heads. You’re awesome
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,////////////////////////////////
"The lyrics often explore anxiety, depression, anger, social isolation, and loneliness"
Gojira: *Hold my Flying whales and shapeshifting humans*
Cannibal Corpse: here hold this intestine.
@@ratatgp3926 yo what the fuck
The greatest miracle
Is burning to THE GROUND!!!!!
also Metallica: SHAPESHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFT
Canibal corpse: hold my lyrics about necropedopilia
I didn’t need the validation of a study to recognize this. It’s been my own personal truth since high school and it’s not a phase.
We as metalheads don't need the study to validate it, but the studies are important for those outside to scene to not stereotype us.
@@Tristanosaurs exactly
It's my 35 year long phase😁
Sure it is. Sometimes heavy music helps me sooo much
@@Tristanosaurs Stereotypes will live forever...Sometimes that's even funny though.
Other people: “Why are you so calm?”
Me: “Metal music helps.”
Other people:🤨
They just don’t understand
Same happens here
I grew up with rock and metal and still is my favorite genre to this day. My dad had CDs of AC/DC, Rush, Led Zeppelin. My older sister introduced me to Linkin Park, Korn, Metallica, and System of a Down. To this day I find metal very soothing and nostalgic even since my sister moved and I’ve moved out and live by myself now. Metal music helps me stay calm and even sleep some nights.
Are you me? Exact same.
At a metal concert, the lead singer said that we were participating in the best form of group therapy available. Absolutely correct!
I discovered metal when I was about 14 years old. I used to listen to pop music and mainstream stuff that never brought me a good sensory satisfaction. When I listened to my first metal song everything changed I felt as if a new gate of experience opened up in front of me. The music, the lyrics and the vocals caused me multiple eargasms and goosebumps. It was a truly eye opening experience. Since then I never got back. Metal helped me see the beauty in classical and orchestral music.
Metal did another thing for me. It helped me to get in touch with my emotions because I was taught to not show them, to not be sad, to not be angry. It made me feel human again. There were countless of times where a song touched me and gave me an emotional relief where I could randomly start crying listening to a song. Extreme music has helped me to go through tough times.
Amen Sister \m/
sounds like me 👍
Demuborger got me into classical.
"Sensory satisfaction." I like that, and I think that's a great way to describe it for me too. I got into metal when I was about 14 or 15 (I'm 34 now). Before that it was mostly about rap, Weird Al, and whatever 50s and 60s music my parents listened to. I liked all that, but it was never satisfying. Other than Weird Al, which was just flat out funny, it didn't make me feel anything in particular. The first time I heard death metal (it was Opeth's Deliverance) I was actually terrified by the vocals that I had to stop for a minute. But now I love it! Metal really made my ears perk up and pay attention. It gave me energy. It made me happy. It made me want to learn the guitar and create those sounds for myself.
I've been a musician my whole life, starting with classical piano and clarinet, but I don't think I truly appreciated music until I realized my own personal taste in metal. Now I love pretty much anything. I always felt like I strengthened my ears by going to one extreme, and now I can truly hear and appreciate how good other music is as well. Like you said, it's an eye opening (or should it be ear opening?) experience. I've never seen it as anything other than a positive influence on my life.
I applaud you. 👍🤘👍 Metal is the only musical form that makes you stronger, 💪emotionally.
Pop turns minds to mush.😡👎
still one of my favorite quotes by Metallica front man James Hetfield is: "it is like my darkness can connect to your darkness, and that's okay" and another when he was talking about the song "fade to black" which is a song about someone going through a bad time, thinking about and eventually committing suicide. He was asked in an interview if the meaning to that song changed in his life, he responded that it changes all the time. He told a story about when they played that song live on stage, he saw a woman that was in tears, he said he just wanted to go down there and tell her she will get through it, that it will be okay. Metal music in my eyes has always been about confronting and dealing with the "bad and ugly" side of humanity.
My fav james quote is "its all fun and games until you lose an eye. Then its just fun you cant see."
I love James Hetfield
I started listening to metal/heavier rock at around 11 years old. Evanescence, MCR and the like had just debuted internationally and I was immediately drawn to it. I am now diagnosed with autism, ADHD and PTSD from growing up in a violent household, and I often felt depressed, so to me, Metal soothed and reflected my emotions in a way that nothing could. I like to think that music saved my life more than once.
Me too! I also have ASD and PTSD, huge metalhead. Sending love
I never met nicest people than metal heads. Most of them are crazy open-minded.
Yeahhh literally. I have been in Wacken (Metal festival) and you can just go to a group of ppl, ask for a beer and chill and talk with them and no one cares
Exactly and it’s because metal heads often relate to the themes of metal for example depression. Most metal heads know how it feels to be depressed and alone so they can empathize and understand how others feel.
Most of us are stoners lol
@@michaeltabish4551 or drunk already :D
Or kids :)
Angry music makes me happy. For a metalhead, listening to “extreme” music is no different than pop fans listening to “sad” music following a breakup. Metal and hard rock help me deal with stress and anger. And metal concerts are like a family. Even in the pit, if you fall, 5 people rush to pick you up, and at the end of the show people are hugging and back slapping and smiling ear to ear. It’s not for everyone; nothing is. But for those of us who love it, it really can be life saving.
It's interesting the stereotype of the Metalheads being depressed but jobs or situations when I had to listen to Country because it was on was VERY depressing for me.
I got a job in '97 milking cows. The farmer didn't care what kind of music was on but he wanted it on for the cows. We used to listen to the Metal station. It was so cool. 👍
People always look at me funny when I say I love the pits at metal concerts (much rather be in the pit than sitting in a chair/bleacher) - they must think it's just mindless violence when in reality it's more like a living entity - everyone working/celebrating together and having a good time. Everybody usually does have everyone else's back in the pit
The most polite crowd I've ever seen was at an Anthrax concert. Every person I talked to used "sir" and "ma'am", "please", and "thank you". Also the guys from Death Angel were very warm and welcoming... although the singer did give me a bit of a start, lol! What a bunch of cool people!
Agree 100% about the mosh pits. There was one time, I saw someone's glasses fall off in a pit, and the entire pit stopped around him to help him find them before going on again. It really is a great community.
Mark Willard - Well fucking said dude holy shit
I was surprised when my then 3-months daughter suddenly calmed down when "roots bloody roots" came out loudly from the stereo. She was very nervous and tired, and I mistakenly turned on the stereo while trying to calm her down.... She fell asleep within two minutes after that
Haha, I was the same way when I was little 😂
A friend of ours had a baby and I visited, and as we sat there and the baby was crying, he put on the stereo Disturbed and the baby stopped crying and went to sleep, before our surprised eyes! He told us that from day one this band was the only one that helped the baby sleep, and that he found out about it after countless hours that he tried to put it to sleep with no success, and just put on music as the last resort. It blew my mind! We tried it on another friend's newborn amd it really works! Not very loud of course. The parents were both metalheads, so we thought that it has to do with the music they heard before the baby was born.
Parenting done right!
@@bel.vermillion thank you, now she's ten with two younger siblings, they all had the same lullabies: "roots bloody roots" and "ratamahatta". Very effective, I think toddlers are very sensitive to lower frequencies and tribal rhythms. We still joke about that...
Mine started to listen to metal before he was born. Then i put him to sleep listening to Korn, for example.
Thank you for this. Metal helped me survive my teenage years. It was an encouragement, an outlet, it was a way for me to fight back against the bullies, a way to start trying to figure out who I really am. There's nothing more badass than at fourteen, being invited to play a song to the class and having it be 'Angel of Death', and watching all the people who've called you horrible names freak out! !m! Still moshing, mostly in my mind, I'm old now! ~_~
I had a self harming issue before I got into heavy doom metal and post black metal. It helped me stop.
When you have something that puts into words what you cannot, you no longer have to take it out on yourself.
Any bands you can recommend?
@@bergkajian1257 My favorite band is Triptykon and as far as post black metal goes, there's not really a specific band I listen to. I usually just play a spotify playlist. There is one band that I do occasionally listen to called Autumn Nostalgie, but they're really new and they've only released 8 songs so far.
Same. Except it was Nu and thrash for me.
Metalcore, trash and black metal for me
I can remember going to clubs when I was younger and feeling nothing but extreme rage at the dance music being played and feeling pissed off until I got home to listen to something I like, I still find sitting back and listening to the likes of Slayer, Pantera and Metallica relaxing to the point I can fall asleep. However nothing beats the feeling of being in a crowd at a gig, hope we can get back to them soon
Now dance and club muisic is well designed by producers to be good background. But you still leave the club feeling dirty lol
Lol, I used to call that "cleaning out my ears."
Holiday music. There's some that can be enjoyed as background music, but on an 18 hour drive both ways it's almost a crime against humanity. When I finally got home not even Metallica, Slayer, nor Power Trip could help. I thought it hopeless...that I'd never get any sleep that night and I would be driven mad. Luckily, while listening to Liquid Metal the song "Mistakes Like Fractures" by Knocked Loose hit and completed wiped the memory of horrible holiday music from my memory. I was reset...sanity restored. Much love to Knocked Loose and Jose "the metal ambassador" Mangin.
I'm not going to sit here and lie, that music has some great beats sounds good and then ln the instance of rap they start to sing. I've never been to a club but I assume they do rap and not just like dubstep, in rap there's no longer substance behind lyrics still great beat but I can't just sit and listen to something without substance
My boss at a longtime job played fair and let everybody have a turn at playing their preferred music over the big Bluetooth speakers. Nothing stressed me out more than this one dude who insisted on playing 90s EDM. My god, my being a musician made it even worse, because it's impossible for me to just "tune out" the music. This EDM would come on, and it was just the same thing over and over and over. Kick drum doing that steady, never-changing 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4... and then everything else in the song being patterns that keep repeating, and toss in a four-word lyric that is just repeated over and over. GAAAAAAAH! Some music is meant for a specific purpose, and EDM is meant for dancing, not listening.
It does for me, and if i feel like shit it, it makes me feel better.
For me too, especially harder stuff
Some OG Kush and _Rust in Peace_ is my version of xanax and a glass of wine.
@@SpacemanXC perfect album!!
@@SpacemanXC fkng nice 👌 luv it🍻
1000% agree
I started listening to metal when I was depressed as a teen. I used it as a release for any anger and bad feelings I had. I used it as fuel to do good at school, workout regularly, go to work, and just try to be as social and happy as possible. Now 10 years after starting listening to metal its my favorite music genre which I listen to almost exclusively and I try to spread its power and energy with as many people as I can. There's some metal genre for everyone I assure you that, and once you find it you'll feel more powerful than ever!
I'm a metalhead, physician, and epidemiologist, but also love classical music. Metal music means for me the modern way to experience new horizons and emotions. Whenever I have to make a presentation, I always listen to some metal to ease myself and feel peace. Yes, I'm also an introvert
im also an introverted metal head lol. i guess the quietest people have the loudest minds.
I play the piano (mostly classical) and listen to metal and people just can't imagine that this is possible. Good thing to know that I'm not the only one
Nice comment bro. I'm an introvert and metalhead, mainly industrial, groove and thrash metal, but I can sit down and listen to Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. I also love a good heavy representation of like Fur Elise or Beethoven's 5th.
So thank you for that comment brother.
well, I'm an extroverted metalheads.
I'm also an introverted metalhead. I didn't go to my first concert until I was 26, because tbh I prefer enjoying music on my own. I also like classical, though I honestly feel like that was the metal of that time. Moonlight sonata 3rd movement sounds abslutely beastly on the electric guitar (go check out Tina S' cover of the song, it's so good).
I've never considered metal as "chaotic"; in fact, its highly organized. A better term would be "aggressive".
Some of it can be pretty chaotic, like the more dissonant tech death bands and grindcore bands.
@@IllusionaryFuneral I suppose I'll have to take your word for that; not something I've heard. When I think of metal, I think of music like Iron Maiden and Metallica; no chaos there.
@@TedinLasVegas For more chaotic Metal, I recommend Cryptopsy, Decapitated, Archspire, Infant Annihilator, Napalm Death, Assuck, and Nails.
No more chaotic than free form jazz. Come on now.
@@rcschmidt668 I hadn't considered that possibility; I applaud your logic.
Going to an Iron Maiden concert and seeing an old man raising his cane in cheer while a 5 year old was screaming with his parents behind him.... This is why we love it, it makes us feel something, inspiration or community.
Metal has changed my life for the better in so many ways. Mostly because of the community. I’ve made so many life long friends just off the basis of we both like the same music. And as a guitarist, I don’t think I would be playing music at all if I didn’t like metal
Metal heads tend to have a more diverse and wider range of musical interests than other genre fans.
I can appreciate any form of music from classical to contemporary and everything in between.
From what I have experienced listeners whose primary genre is top 40 or anything else, they tend to only listen to that genre while shunning all other styles.
I thought that too 👍
I think this is very subjective though. Speaking personally, I typically don't listen to other music besides metal (and the many sub-genres). I do however like classical, scores (from anime, games or films) but that's about it.
I like metal and lots of other genres too. But my core taste is broadly rock.
What is top 40?
@@vitaliitomas8121 what the radio plays, think like cardi b and shit, just popularity (well really it's who pays the most for advertising)
Absolutely could not agree with this more. When I’m in a bad mood, I listen to metal and I end up HAPPIER and feeling much better after a bit. It helps me channel and get through my emotions
YES!
"John listens to metal, wears skull t-shirts, and doesn't clean his room"
... Thats me
Hi John
Hi John
Lol, same
And my name is actually John
my name is not john, but i feel like it goes to me as well , LOL
have a good life John
Coming from a classical background and being singing my whole life, I discovered that metal is the music you can't necessarily sing along with. Metal has to be listened to very closely and with your full attention. I can't have it in the background or while I'm busy with something else. Which makes it such an intense experience. It's really like therapy for me - maybe because it's an almost meditative activity for me.
Just like jazz! 2 of my favs
EXACTLY - I am metal musician from FINLAND and all my life saturated with metal music - and I simply can not listen to metal music if I do not give it FULL 666% ATTENTION - it is deeply meditative state
You could try Atmospheric Black Metal for background noise. Some of it makes me feel like I‘m wading through 3 feet of hardened snow in a forest. I love it.
In 2014 I had just gotten out of a 11month relationship when I was 17 with my then fiance and I was severely depressed and suicidal and when we were together I rarely listened to metal even though I grew up listening to metal but when I was with her she had me listening to Christian music and K-pop. But when she dumped me after I caught her sleeping with her ex boyfriend I was severely suicidally depressed I turned back to metal and the band that saved my life from suicide was Slipknot and their song called snuff which was basically telling a story very similar to what I was going through. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I had the gun to my head and ready to pull the trigger when the song came on. And the line "it took the death of hope to let you go" is what saved me from suicide. And even today I'm still dealing with depression, anxiety and severe stress and trust issues but I always listen to metal to help keep me calm as best as possible.
Bro
... that feeling though! Slipknot, Bullet For My Valentine, Pierce The Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, Alesana, As Blood Runs Black, and (my favorite) Make Them Suffer, all kept me sane enough to get through (but not over) my ex, who I thought was cheating on me while I was trying to deal with a secret addiction to pain meds and undiagnosed lupus... whenever my thoughts turned to suicide, those bands put a hand through the breach to keep me off the ledge. I totally get it!
Maggots help Maggots, stay strong brother!
Volume 3 was one of the strands of the rope that pulled me out of the deep and very dark hole in my own head that I was stuck in when I was going through a divorce and losing my daughter 15 years ago. Glad you stuck around brother. \m/
Stay strong brother
Best of hopes from here!!!
Its just as August Burns Red put it, "Angry music for happy people".
I love ABR
Yes!!!
"Recent studies" but metal heads have known this for decades
Hello. Right! 😁👍...🤘
Reah, reminds me of the time last year some study came out "proving the existence if male bisexuality". You could have just asked us, and we would have told you metal was carthatic🙄
And suffered because of the disposable pigs who judged us too soon
Metal has helped me in so many ways. Confidence, self acceptance, acceptance of different emotions, feeling a part of a community, it’s brought me immense joy and calm and never feeling alone.
Metal's intensity of emotional expression tends to attract a very artistically minded audience. Metalheads are some of the most creative people you will meet, in all areas of the arts.
Yep! 👍
It’s often the musical technicality that attracts creative people. The genre is always pushing for harder instrumentation and new ideas, so it’s no wonder metal is one of the most progressive modern genres
True. My best friend and I are both metalheads and classical music enthusiasts.
She has an outstanding ability to draw, she plays the piano with a burning passion and occasionally writes. She's an extremely creative, complex and spiritual person.
I too have many artistic hobbies. I am mainly a writer, and I can play the acoustic guitar and draw. But I honestly think my friend is on another level. I couldn't ask for more, I admire her so much.
A classical music composer once said that Heavy metal in all it's subgenres are the only musical genre currently that feels similar to classical music in that it's musicians ry to make the most of each instrument as well as emulating emotions through only instruments.
During my high school years, I struggled a lot with depression and anxiety. On one of my darker days, I accidentally stumbled across this amazing metal song that perfectly mirrored what I felt. Up to that point, I had never listened to metal since I had been told for years by friends and family that it was "devil music". Hearing it for myself and being so able to relate with it was a really important thing for me, though. I became a metalhead after that experience and never looked back. Since then, I do feel more stable and more capable of managing my mood, which has really helped me as I've moved into different stages of life. In a way, metal saved my life back then and I'm really glad that some of the stereotypes around it are starting to fade away.
Same. I remember discovering Linkin Park, Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, stuff like that, back in the day, and for the first time, I got to hear music that directly reflected how I felt, people singing about things that I didn't know how to put into words.
I found so much solace in that. And yeah, my childhood was a wreck, so I struggled with depression and self harm a lot, even tried to unalive myself. But through all of it, ihad music to help. And it's one of the HUGE reasons I'm still here today.
I look back, and as difficult as things were, I honestly can't imagine what of have done if I hadn't found rok and metal music. Because it would have been so much worse.
Now that I'm 33 I still listen to metal and go to metal shows, and I still love it just as much. I'm thankful I'm in a much better place in my life. And I genuinely think that metal music is one of the things I have to thank for that
Metal music is brutally honest and up front. The music to me is like holding up a mirror to society and for most of us a shield to cope and confront life struggles and hardships.
But it can be even beautiful, not only brutal. And you just like the Music.
You're clearly not talking about fantasy lyrics :D
I've had this talk with my kids. My 14 yo daughter has discovered several metal bands during her musical journey, although she's not a metal head, she acknowledges that some songs helps her emotionally when puberty hits hard. My 11 yo son has just asked me to make a metal play list for him, to help coping with those same issues. He's had a lot of issues fitting in at school because he's into ttrpg, older music and other non conformist hobbies. So he's been feeling like an outsider.
Slipknot and babymetal
Add some cky too
People seem shocked every single time I say that I like to sleep listening to genres like brutal death metal. I'm aware that this type of music is not easy to listen, however it makes me calm when I'm tryin to sleep 😴
Same here! The harder, the more brutal it gets the better helps me to sleep. And even after very intense brain-work days, when I feel my brain like starts to burn off itself, I just listen to the heaviest and technical death metal that I can find to reset and soothe my head.
interesting sharing! i derive quite a degree of comedic relief in brutal death metal. a band whose music i derive feelings of calming towards sleeping is insomnium
I've fell asleep countless times banging some Cannibal Corpse or Meshuggah or Lamb of God🤓
Like that time I fell asleep listening to Dir en Grey and Deathgaze back then and folks were like "what???" xD
*Sleeps listening to Gutalax*
Rest of the world: WTF?
I was ridiculed as a teen for listening to metal. My parents stole my tapes and burnt them because they were told that metal was evil and they were trying to protect me from it. Today they are incredibly apologetic and embarrassed for what they did and how they reacted to something they didn't really understand and what religious ideology at the time preached.
My school peers gave me crap because I listened to Metallica long before the black album made it cool.
33 years later my love of metal has not changed. I am a professional Captain with a major airline and a respected member of the community. I love my parents and I tease them over the times they overreacted when I was a teen.
I understand that the image some metal bands portraits can be quite shocking and offensive (deliberately) so I do understand why some people have pre conceived ideas of metal music and those who listen to it. I love it when people learn I'm a metal head because I appear normal (no Tatts, piercings, I don't wear black etc) and they know me long before they know my music tastes so don't judge me on my music tastes.
Thank you so much for exploring the premise that metal is somehow wrong and disruptive and those that like it are but jobs. Great job, keep it up! 👍😋
I'm Swedish and someone asked me once why there are so many metal bands coming from Sweden and Scandinavia. I said that it's because the cold and darkness of the north pisses everyone off and that metal is an excellent way to release that pent up anger. I was half-joking at the time, but I do think that music can have that effect on you. However, I also believe that it all comes down to preference. Someone who enjoys metal will find comfort in it and even get a calming effect from listening to it, while for someone else they would get the same effects from jazz or what have you. What works for one person might not work for another and vice versa. I am also not the least bit surprised that listening to music will do a better job at calming someone down than sitting in silence - if you're just sitting in silence, you're just stewing in your feelings and whatever pissed you off, whereas if you're listening to something it'll eventually distract you from what angers you.
On behalf of true metal heads from all over the world, I'd like to thank your country for giving us Opeth..... the greatest band to grace this earth.
As someone from northern Sweden, I can honestly vouche for the notion that having no daylight for half of the year definitely gets me pent up sometimes.
Metal is a great way to process and deal with it.
@@TheKungFung absolutely! There is also Katatonia! Ackerfeldt is a huge fan of that band. And vice versa by the way... Both bands are dark, heavy, romantic... and with unique personalities even though they both sound very different. It might not be your cup of tea but it's really worth checking!
As a person with an ED, all this aggression and anger and loudness of metal just takes over the chaotic thoughts in my head and thus makes me more peaceful.
Well, I am 45 and listened to metal since I was 16 (mostly power and progressive metal) . I like many music genres, I think that metal has also help me to find and like baroque classical music! But now that I am father of two girls, one 4 and the other 2 years old and that my stress is rising, I definitely say that discover more extreme genre as metalcore or melodeath is a way to calm myself down. But the music I listen to depends on how I am feeling in that moment...
No other genre of music is as “wide and varied”. You can find and explore many themes among the many different genres of metal.
And from all corners of the world
@@chuleta441, Heck Ye!
Heck Ye!
Yeah and a lot of metal isn't actually like, brutal or anything contrary to a lot of peoples beliefs. There's a lot of soft songs in the genre
EDM is at least as wide and varied, it's absurd how much subgenre there is to it. Jazz is also a good contestant. Hip-hop will probably eventually reach such a variety.
Pissed off about society: Rage against the machine
Feeling emotional: My chemical romance
Feeling rather romantic: Type O Negative
Feeling like a goofball: Devin Townsend
Just feel like smashing someone's face in: Skinless
Metal has a taste and tone for every emotion your feeling and helps you to foccus and channel it. Hence why I've been listening to it for 30 years now.
Bro i love skinless, i went to a concert a few years back and the singer was arrested in another country for drunk driving lmao. But yeah skinless is the best.
Im a naturally angry person but honestly i just embrace my inherent personality with melodic death metal. (children of bodom etc)
Feeling hopeless over climate change: Gojira
If it wasn't for metal I would be dead, depression got me really bad when I was 21 and listen to metal was one of the only things that made me feel good.
Same 🤘♥️
Snap. Metal, both the Music and the community, has saved my life more times that I can count.
Zezar 666, David Gorny and Pete Kesall. Another devote of Metal Therapy here. Hope you are all having more good days than shitty ones.
@@LaPetitWookiee Thank you! And yes, as long as there is metal, there is hope!
Same here, also metalheads are probably the kindest and most accepting people I've met
I was raised by metal heads and find the heavyness of the guitars and drums soothing. Apparently they used to play it to us as babies to calm us down when nothing else helped. I think it’s a protective factor and a healthy coping mechanism for times with overwhelming emotions.
Religious institution : metal is the devil's music
Media : is metal DangErOuS for you children?
Science: metal listener more likely to be institutionalize
Society: Why are you anti-social?
me: take a guess
this reminds me of WSS(while she sleeps- Anti social) is one of their songs or a song about that very concept.
I am a christian but a guilty pleasure of mine is an album I just blasted loud in my car earlier tonight just for the fun of it was Marilyn Manson Antichrist Superstar
@@ianfravel5756 ...damn.
So true
@@SixHeadsFall i just put on a wss song right before i saw that comment
I´m stressed
let others scream for me
I´m calm
I always say something similar to that when someone comments on whatever extreme vocals are coming out of my speakers at the time.
They say, “Wow he sure is angry. How can you listen to someone scream at you constantly?”
I say, “They aren’t screaming at me, they’re screaming for me. It’s better that they do the screaming than me”
@@transamphoenix Except they do the screaming and I do the screaming with them xD It hits so much better when you can actually do it @_@
I’ve loved metal since being a teenager. It’s comforting when needed, exciting when needed, it’s expressive... I just love it! I love many types of music also. Music in general has a way of speaking to people that words don’t fully capture. There are genres that drive me nuts (most rap and pop) but I understand those genres bring to people what metal and rock does to me, so good on them for finding a sound to love, to each their own.
Couldn't agree more!
I was young during the eras of classic metal in the 70's such as Deep Purple and hair metal in the 80's spearheaded by Van Halen so that's the sub genres I prefer. I have a compilation album called Soft Metal with songs from bands who would be more hard rock or alternative metal than heavy metal.
Since i start hearing metal and rock, i feel more relaxed and happier than ever(sorry for my bad inglish) i also have more control with my emotios and feelings. So yeah, metal and rock change my life
Metal actually saved my life in a way. When I was young I was lost in life. I had good grades but I hated studying and school and didn't want to go to college because I hated the stress. But when I started listening to metal I started feeling better, really better! When I was listening to it I felt in another world I actually felt happy and relaxed! Now I have a normal job, I go to all the concerts I can and I am happy, all due to metal!
Metal is soul healing music. Let's scream the sh*t out of ourselves.
I feel that
"I'm not anti-social. I'm anti-bullsh*t"
- While She Sleeps
malphite going all sentimental here :’)
Rock solid quote!
@@LittleBrainBoy I see what you did there
I love you.
"Walk the rope, walk the rope, from everything to nothing
Hope you know, hope you know, this music is our therapy
A song for those who never give up and walk the rope, walk the rope
We will overcome"
While She Sleeps - Life in Tension (Album: Brainwashed)
because the society full of bullshit and i agree with you
I know this video is older, but just to add my $0.02, I can say that rock, and as I've gotten older, metal, has been a release of negative emotion for me. I can actually vividly remember portions of my life that have certain themes of rock or metal associated with them. When I hear certain songs it takes me back to those times when those songs carried me though, and they remind me of how far I've come. As an example, I was big on Avenged Sevenfold, 3-Days Grace, Disturbed, and Breaking Benjamin in college. Later on figuring out marriage and my career it was Alter Bridge, Slipknot, Wage War, etc. Then after my divorce and other life challenges it was again Slipknot, August Burns Red, Bleed From Within, We Came as Romans, Spiritbox, etc. I can associate all of these artists and their songs with distinct feelings I had during rough periods of my life more than any other type of music. To that end, I enjoy most types of music, but my go-to is always rock/metal, particularly for those pesky life issues we all have to deal with!
Metal music has actually saved my life more than once.
As i said a few comments above to another stranger: I am glad you are still here :)
Same
The teachers at my high school used to say my metal tastes used to make me easier to anger but they did nothing about the other kids bullying me
this was my life in high school, i feel ya
I rember alot of ppl getting stake for this untill the teachers listened to it themselves and that was it they reveled against the other teachers who done this since that
I didn't have a bully problem when I was at school, and metat was a big thing.
Luckily for me, I had no such problems. My teacher of English was a metalhead and gave me some albums as a present at the end of my final year. I'll always remember his lesson on "The rime of the ancient mariner" by S. T. Coleridge, during which he recited the part starting with "day after day, day after day we stuck, no breath nor motion" as if it was being sung by Bruce Dickinson. Hell yeah!!
@@gianz73 I’m actually listening to Maiden right now, for the greater good of god off of the legacy of the beast live album, I saw them on the tour as well
People expect metalheads to go crazy when listening to it but it's honestly something chill to do. While driving or playing video games. Helps me relax when I'm angry or makes me smile when in a good mood haha 🤘🏽🤘🏽
Can confirm I listen to metal while playing games. Thanks, early 2000s Burnout and Need for Speed
I used to love playing Diablo II while listening to Stratovarious, good old days 😁
Tbf I like to go a bit crazy. It's just a nice release of energy.
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I felt like I had to add to the list of themes present in metal music.
One thing that was not mentioned on your list was dissonance to societal Norms or expectations as well as societal hypocrisy.
Some metal music especially now, is very much an observation as well as a weighing of that observation to what the heart says or knows to be true.
Music is a gift from YAH ,Halleluyah!
Thank you for covering my favorite genre of music. Your too cute 😁👍
Not a metal head, per se, but I did spend my late teen and early adult years listening to some rather extreme music: Einstürzende Neubauten, KMFDM & Ministry.
I also listen to bands like Swans, Sunn O))), Laibach, and... Merzbow! (An acquired taste to be sure.)
As to the points in your video, I can anecdotally agree that said music made my black-clad denizen of the dark less antisocial and much kinder to themselves and others - from within the clique.
After all... belonging somewhere is important, no matter where that is.
Loooove Metal!! My favorite would be stuff from the "hair metal 80s" as well as some of the heavy stuff from 90s and modern. 80s glam metal seems more about fun ... some "satanic" stuff was jus parody... Not a huge fan of the "death metal" - was okay, just not my jam. Was great for my life...I'm happy and when I'm angry or upset, the music helped me deal with stuff... But just don't make me listen to jazz...ugh!
Normal people: "Metal makes you violent."
Me: **playing Slime Rancher to some dude ripping his vocal cords out about wanting to just fight people**
Also me: "OOOH A MONEY SLIME!!! :O"
And preparing plenty of livestock, hoping BOb makes another request for chikken
HA, I relate to this very well lol
Bro. That's pretty spot on.
Playing Stardew Valley, I have been giving watermelons to Penny all day, while listening to Defeated Sanity in the background XD.
I couldn't relate more to this 😂
People: "MeTaL iS eViL"
The metal I listen to: "Tectonic plates and things in celestial mermaid dreeeeaams....!!!"
Gojira?
Borknagar maybe?
Devin Townsend?
Nightwish?
@@bwaychick20 Could be :D
As a Metalhead myself, I can without a doubt tell you that listening to this kind of music absolutely gives you a cathartic experience. The heavy and aggressive sound allows the listener to vent though the chaos. Myself being a musician as well, Metal is the only modern music today that challenges the mind. One example is: "What tuning is this in? What time signature are they using? What scales/modes/chords are they using? Are there any polyrhythms? What subgenre is this?," etc. There are so many different questions you can ask yourself about it, which in turn, takes your mind elsewhere and out of that dark place. Side note, a lot of metalheads also like Classical music, as it's very closely related in terms of composition.
Mad respect for anyone who can shred. Most people don't realize how much talent it actually takes. Unlike most modern pop "musicians" who really only know how to play a mixing board.
@@theguyonthecouch6109 that shits also very hard to be good at
@@irieeyes12 true but there is a certain charm to it being done on real instrument
Metal *is* classical, just distorted and turned up to 11.
I find my main music genre I love is metal, but I've never been attracted to classical or jazz (though I love jazz and classical influences in metal). I like a shit ton of other things tho like pop, emo, country, 80's, electronic, there's just a lot of really good fucking music out there
I love when I'm driving down the streets blaring my favorite metal songs and people turn to give me the stank face. Metal is so mind blowingly misunderstood. My favorite aspect of metal music is the skill it takes to pull off some of the instrumentals that come out of this genre which i feel anyone who has a deep respect for music itself can appreciate metal for that alone if nothing else. It's my unprofessional opinion that metal music is such a positive influence for those who love it because the music is expressing its fans inner thoughts and feelings in a way we cant. People are so quick to give me the stank face when I blast my favorite songs, they can't or won't hear the lyrical imagery or the observations on things like love or loss. Most of the time the lyrics are more profound than you'd hear in any other genre. And yes some are just an outright "fuck you" which I also love because I'm the kind of person who you could insult straight to my face and I'd just continue smiling and nodding because I'm so nonconfrontational I don't even recognize when someone is being blantantly rude to me. If I could tell someone fuck you in a way that you could hear and feel the frustration I'm experiencing, maybe I'd be able to stick up for myself more often, but since aggression isnt in my nature at all, metal expresses it for me. More often than not you'll find that people who truly love and appreciate metal are some of the nicest, more reasonable and intelligent members of society.
I am 41 years old, I have been listening to Metal music for 32 years. Music, the lyrics with different meanings, the power that this music gives you. It is a combination of peace of mind and joy with a dose of Epic power. Metal Music speaks to the mind in the heart to the soul. Metal music has been my psychiatrist all these years.
As a therapist as well as a metal vocalist this is incredible! There are a couple different phenomenon that happen when people listen to music. Basic terms, there's vibe matching where we want to put in sounds that reflect how we're feeling and then there's a physical element where the heavy drums guitars and vocals create a physical sensation of "yas." It's been incredible to see how therapeutic this has been both within the metal community I see as musician as well as within my clients coming in for mental health services 🤟🏾
Keep doing the good work you do. X
Hello Beth and anyone reading this, i'd love to share my story with all of you. (caution: it's a long story, 5-6 minute read)
How I discovered metal music: I never really knew my father, my mom and dad split up before my mother even knew she was pregnant of me. I may have seen him once or twice in my life, but nothing more. I always was drawn to music, but had the influences from my mother; Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Cindy Lauper, UB40, Boy George and some Dutch music. At age 11, my father showed up. And he brought a VHS tape of Metallica's Live Shit: Binge & Purge show. We watched that together, my 11 year old ears couldn't comprehend the complexity of the music. But I was amazed by seeing James Hetfield screaming his guts out and it was the coolest thing i've ever seen. But never really listened to it again. a year later, at age 12, a boy from my grade school class played a song on a classical guitar during show and tell. I thought it was the coolest thing, that year for christmas, I asked my mom for a guitar. And I got it, a very cheap classical guitar. I started taking lessons soon after. I was a "gifted" guitar student and excelled pretty quickly. A year or 2 later, around age 14, during one of my guitar lessons I asked my teacher if I could play on his electric he had hanging on the wall and I loved it. At this time, I've gotten a little more advanced to most of his students and he couldn't teach me the basic things anymore you'd typically teach beginners. So he introduced me to AC/DC and Metallica. And I started learning their songs. At which point, I asked an electric guitar for christmas, which I also got, being born into a not so wealthy family, the entire family chipped in to give me a starters pack stratocaster copy. Which I played to death. As I was looking for more and more challenging things to learn on guitar, I re-discovered Metallica, as well as Guns N Roses. And I fell in love with Hardrock and Metal music. The interest in the genre grew, and by age 16 I was a full blown metalhead, and met more and more people and life long friends who shared the same passion for music.
Mental health: I always was a shy and anxious kid, but during my high school days, around age 15, I started developing more and more issues. I kept feeling suddenly unwell. But didn't know what it was. I knew I had emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting. Which probably was the cause for this. At age 16 I got diagnosed with panic disorder. The sudden feelings of being unwell turned out to be panic attacks. And it interfered with my school work (I ditched school a lot, because I couldn't handle being in a school, which in turn caused me to get expelled), and my social life. I was put on antidepressant medications. Which helped at first, but after a year the effects wore off and a long journey of panic attacks, anxiety, and depression because of that, was soon to follow. And I still struggle with it today, at age 24. I noticed a lot of fellow metalhead friends (but by far not all) also experienced depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. And I think the reason why metal fans seem to more commonly have this issue, isn't because of the music causing it, it is because the lyrical themes in metal music explore these feelings, and it resonates with people struggling with them. They feel understood, heard, learn other people also struggle with these issues and they aren't alone. Which all feels very comforting.
Other notes: So, I got pulled into metal music because I kept looking for more challenging things to play on guitar. I started up my first band at age 15 and continued to form bands and projects until I was 21. I met so many cool, integer, sympathetic people I've never met anywhere else. I also discovered I love to sing around age 18. I started taking lessons on and off for years and still continue to do so. I noticed when I feel down or depressed, and start singing, it lifts my mood so much, and makes me feel happy. Eventhough I still suck at it, don't know how to use distortion or grit, can't belt the high notes, don't know how to use my "mixed" voice, etc. but it helps. Also just playing guitar and rocking out helps me to release so much frustration, and creating new songs just keeps my mind occupied so I stop to think about my issues with anxiety. And listening to hardrock, heavy metal, and grunge, also helps me cope with so many feelings. And another reason why Metal music is so appealing to me and others and especially musicians, is that it's so intellectually and creatively stimulating. There's so much going on, different layers of instruments, guitar solo's, REAL people playing REAL instruments, singers showing what the human voice is capable off and how much variety you can use in your singing. You can hear the humanity, and creativity, and dynamics, which are all gone in modern day pop and hiphop and overproduced 'big record label' rock music.
If you read all of this, I love you, and you're the real MVP.
No, you're the real MVP
This is lovely and pure. Hope you are doing well !
Life ain't easy and music in general helps us to cope with it, but as long as still exists metal, we are safe buddy.
Greetings from Portugal
I love this story. I completely agree with the final point. You can't hear the humanity, creativity or any dynamics in modern big record music. There are a few outliers but not many. I discovered rock when one friend recommended Hotel California and I loved it. I eventually discovered Queen and AC/DC through movies and then just started finding more and more bands and eventually Metallica which got me into Metal. I started playing my guitar about a 20 months ago and I just enjoy it so much even if I'm not that good.
@@tarunkumaar625 Thank you so much for readin my story. I'm glad people actually took the time to read the whole thing.
I don't know what to say this story made me cry i dont have many problems but i have autism and anger issues and metal helps me to deal with what i have so thanks for this
I was raised on all the hair metal of the 80s-90s. In 2016 I heard Reign of Darkness by Thy Art is Murder for the first time. I had never heard someone express such raw, unfiltered emotions in their vocals and it resonated with me. I was dealing with a lot of stress and anger at the time and I couldn't describe what I was feeling until I started listening to death metal. When I hear a solid scream from a vocalist ((in my opinion)) it's like you can hear all of the heart wrenching bitter hatred in their voice, like they're screaming for you instead of at you.