Why metalheads are happier people

Music makes us happy. Millions of people can agree on that. But heavy metal? A genre that is often described as deafening and aggressive, how is can that make people happy? Are the headbanging, beer-drinking and blackclad metal fans even happier than other people? Surely, that can't be.But psychologist Nico Rose argues the contrary. In his book "Hard, Heavy and Happy" he describes the effects of heavy metal on body, mind and soul. He also explains how what heavy metal opponents often call "noise" helps cope with anxiety and depression. On this episode of Arts Unveiled, we will explain how the notorious festival venue of Wacken became a sanctuary for metalheads' well-being and how the heavy metal crowd has now even managed to win over the quiet-loving inhabitants of the tranquil village in northern Germany. Heavy Metal becomes Happy Metal. - With hard rock music to a happier life.
00:00 Intro: Why metalheads are happier people
00:22 Reason 1: Metal fans have a strong sense of community
03:39 Reason 2: Metal provides an outlet for stress and anger
06:24 Reason 3: Metal leads to feelings of joy and empowerment
08:19 Outro: The power of heavy metal
#dwhistoryandculture #metalheads #wackenopenair2022 #music #rockmusic
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[@bajcar]

"heavy metal isn't about feeling angry, it's about accepting the existence of anger" - Sum Dood

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Interesting.

[@sirbillygoat4885]

Man… he seems like a really motivational figure…

[@peacewillow]

amen to that. 💖

[@ShinobiPhoenix-YT0]

I would go further and say it's about letting GO of anger by allowing yourself to feel it so you can push it out and away from you. Release it. It's like cursing vs people who insist on not (or trying to control others about it). They spend so much energy trying to hold back and hold back others and end up usually being some of the most aggressively nasty sort, whereas people who just let out whatever negative feeling it was feel better and weren't containing it. It's a lot of energy to "be polite" and a lot of people don't don't deserve it and some use it to hide cruelty. Someone who puts it out on their shoulder is being genuine with you, often doesn't even want conflict, but doesn't shy away when it's necessary.

[@achimdemus-holzhaeuser1233]

My, Secret. I am always Angry - Nother Dood.

[@ocean1292]

"You call it demonic because you hear the screaming. I call it life saving because I hear the meaning." 🤘🏻

[@Ahlem_DMC]

screaming is the most raw primitive and affective way of releasing a painful pain :0 imagine someone dear to you died. and you start listening to very sad music :0? you need someone who understand your pain, someone who screams his pain like you do in those hard times LET IT OUT!!! life is pain, but your strong, no pity, your not alone you need strength and understanding. and the rest gonna heal with time.

[@hubertlovranich999]

You are absolutely Right!

[@Mr_Toodles]

woah. I've always searched for the proper term but you just fucking nailed it. Thank you

[@grocksauce7422]

Oooo, chills

[@FictionCautious]

Right on!

[@mustardstain]

I personally find it really cool that the metal scene is able to stay strong with no support from mainstream media

[@BadEconomyOfficial]

Do we really need them? Nope

[@OnionChoppingNinja]

It's because of the lack thereof rather then despite it that this scene stays strong. Mainstream ruins EVERYTHING.

[@brunnomenxa]

Everything they touch they ruin. The media is just there to talk about what people already know with pseudo-professionalism. We don't need the mainstream media.

[@ezekiel184]

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. YOU CAN"T SELL YOUR SOUL - ALMIGHTY GOD OWNS THEM ALL

[@Wheelgauge-bt7ox]

Always has and always will👍

[@StijnBuyze-zg9rw]

I'm an autistic person and I have, because of this, problems to fit into society. I get rejected a lot because I'm 'weird' in other people's opinion. But metalheads never give a fuck about me being 'different'. They accept me unconditionally for who I am, a human being just like everybody else. They care for me, talk and listen to me, they never let me down. I, in return, love each and ever single metalhead as my true brother or sister. Peace and love 🤘🥹

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your story. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with our community. Sending you all the best!

[@goodmorning2386]

I feel similarly!

[@Liminal.Headspace]

Honestly, autism and metal go hand in hand. A lot of metalheads are neuro divergent anyways and the metalhead community values individuals as they come, no one is unwelcome.

[@andersjjensen]

Aspie here. Yup. For some utterly strange reason the metal crowd became the new "hippies" despite looking and sounding the opposite. I always wear pressed pants, matching vest and ironed shirt, so I absolutely do not look like the rest of the crowd. Not ONCE have I gotten side eyed at a metal concert or festival.

[@JamesRocks920]

Honestly, I’m Autistic too and your comment inspires me 🤘🏻 😁

[@Alice_Walker]

Never realised this was a scientific fact but as a young woman I always felt safe on a train or walking late a night when there was a group of "scary" metalheads around. They just have great energy ✨

[@ptlovelight2971]

I understand. I have felt the same way around goth kids too

[@FUBARGunpla]

we look scary but we are ultimately teddy bears... but like a bear i'd also tear a mother fucker up if they fucked with someone on the street corner lolol

[@julesboslough5576]

@@ptlovelight2971 if you're ever in trouble find a group of goths, they have the perfect curb stomping boots if needed

[@TamuTamuOnigiri]

​@Jules Boslough as someone who changes aesthetics based on mood and is both metalhead & goth I approve of this message! Our boots are ideal for curbstomps!

[@tex6815]

I was on a train after seeing a Judas Priest gig, a few of us noticed a very young female was experiencing problems with a bunch of people wearing suits, after we asked what the problem was. They the all backed off. At the next stop they invited us off to talk about our problem, they got off and the train left without them. (It was also the last train). We made sure she she got home safely via 2 friends who shared a cab with her, she is now part of our community.

[@niji.sateenkaari8835]

once at Wacken, one of us lost his little digital camera - kinda cheap, but the pictures on it, the Wacken pictures, hat high emotional value - in a pit and was devastated that it was gone. I was convinced that it would come back. A day later, some spanish dude came to our camp and brought the camera back. He found it in the pit, took a look at the pictures, found our camping place sign in the background, and went to our camp. He located it by looking at the people on the pictures and searched for one of us who had bright blue hair. He found us after going across the entire camping ground. He was on the other side half an hour away. He could have let it there, he could have given it to lost and found, but he decided to look for the owner in a group of 75000 people and bring it back himself. Blessings on that guy.

[@WhiteWolfBlackStar]

Odin's birds definitely watch that guy's back and YOURS!! 😎 Great story! I hope he sees this comment someday, he made the effort to find you, you made the effort to honor him. Wonderful circle ◯

[@mcgamingmax3505]

Hopefully, you offered him a cup of your finest brew 😁

[@oliverparke9747]

I managed to return a digital camera I found at Soundwave in Adelaide, Australia. Same exact method to find the owner. Much smaller crowd though!

[@Soily9]

Great story, loved it. I'm sure he did enjoy the adventure of looking for the camera's owner, though ! It must have been quite fun ! :D

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Wow, what a story. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheBigO879]

When I was younger, I had my glasses knocked off one time in the pit. Once people realized what happened, everyone stopped what they were doing and helped me get them back. We all resumed right after haha Never would happen anywhere else. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Baldwin-iv445]

Bro's being bros.

[@Red3f1ned]

That's f*cking awesome... Love to hear stuff like this. Reinvigorates my faith in humanity. Thanks for sharing, bro.

[@dancer_to_a_discrodant_system]

In the pit you meet the best people

[@alaia-awakened]

It would happen in Japan, too!

[@BoostChicken]

This happened to me except the got crushed and nobody helped me up either I got trampled until my friend got me. Thank god I had my old/backup glasses in my trunk I had an 1.5 hours of driving to get home and needed to see. BTBAM goes hard AF

[@Galeraguerrilla]

Since I was a child, I have listened to metal. Always in school, we were considered the weakest, the outcasts, those who didn't fit beauty standards. Nevertheless, we were always brothers, respectful to others. We enjoyed the music and never harmed anyone. Metal has no color, it expects nothing from you. Long live metal forever! Greetings from Chile.

[@papamidnite9282]

Greetings from India 🇮🇳

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with us. Sending you all the best

[@alhasansony6771]

Long live metal, brothers. 👊

[@ezekiel184]

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. YOU CAN"T SELL YOUR SOUL - ALMIGHTY GOD OWNS THEM ALL

[@stilmrcanuck]

I was bullied. The bullying stopped when I put on my first concert/head shirt. The scorpions. Metal made me stronger. It gave me community. Love to all you headbangers.

[@JoshMIW]

As a person with social anxiety, I can honestly say that when I go to metal shows it seems like all that social anxiety disappears and I can seemingly talk to anyone as if they were my family, that’s something I feel is unique to metal. When you go to a show to see your favourite bands, it’s not just for the band, it’s also for the people who are gonna be there with you. Even tho you don’t know anyone in that venue, for an hour and a half, everyone there feels like family.

[@0ptriX]

I know what you mean. Every time I go to a metal concert I just get a feeling of, "Ah here you are, my metal brothers and sisters."

[@whatforaaron2494]

Exactly. Same when I go to Punk shows as well. GG ALLIN saved my life! 🤘

[@Lina-fg2os]

Same for me! I feel so safe, even in the mosh pit and going to those concerts helped me a lot with my anxiety

[@gliderfan6196]

I know that very well. Metal shows are the only that my anxiety is gone. I am pro in music and my job is classical music. I once had to attend many concerts in the most prestigious venues of Europe to write about them, interview artists, and so on. The social anxiety is fed well during that events. I think most people atttending the classical concert are feeling terribly out of place. I know I was. Metal shows are all different. Feel in place there.

[@xxhellspawnedxx]

Yeah, I can second this, and I get the same feeling from going to play MTG at a store, or really going to almost any event centered around a shared niche interest - Unlike when going to your local watering hole or whatever, pretension, and the need to cut through it using hard-to-parse social strategies, is just left at the door in these shared-interest communities. You have an instant (albeit presumed) common factor that you can build a social repoir on with anyone there, without a need for any sort of tactic. You can just be yourself, and that's enough. What's more, even if you don't have the interest, the presumption will make it largely inclusive, and there's no shortage of people who'd be glad to induct you into the community should you wish for that.

[@shacougraV3]

As a 120 year old who’s been listening to metal for 255 years I can say it’s changed my life.

[@maghurt]

Lol

[@filledepekin]

Preach!

[@rubee4460]

Made me laugh out loud

[@JLchevz]

lmao

[@Desol8godfather]

lol! even the humor style is unique!

[@andreeamarkethinkpr4596]

I am 43 and a fan of metal music since I was 12. I am so proud that my daughter (13) is keeping the tradition alive. 2 days ago I went with her to her first metal concert (a local band)...I never saw her so happy! Long live metal music!🤘🤘🤘

[@andersjjensen]

LOL. I've seen this a lot before. Girls that age typically think their dads are cringe/losers. Aspiring metal girls who have metal dads always think they have the coolest dad on the planet.

[@Snowcatsrt]

My first metal concert was seeing Iron Maiden live when I was 14. It was an incredible experience. Lost my friends who I went to the concert with but what I didn't realise is that I had thousands of others. I joined the mosh pit and the biggest guy there jumped around me so I wouldn't get hurt. When I did fall down (multiple times) I would look up and have 6 hands towering above me to pick me up and join in again \m/

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your story. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with our community.

[@lalaarsch6850]

When I started listening to metal people would ask "How can you listen to that screamy music it's so angry" and I would always answer "They scream for me so I don't have to" because whenever I feel angry or sad there is always the perfect song that expresses my emotions. I just listen to it and I feel better

[@trishamccarty3202]

Well said ❤

[@insertnamehere1258]

someone should put that on a shirt

[@amandaf4720]

Agreed. I listen to metal to help relax and calm down when I'm mad as hell.

[@axsuriaa]

w response

[@MikiKhaleesi]

Abolutely !

[@MoSweiti666]

Metal is not just music. It's a way of life. It's a community and a brotherhood.

[@steffenwennerstrand8969]

What bands do you like?

[@MoSweiti666]

@@steffenwennerstrand8969 Many bands! My current favorite are Septicflesh, Dark Fortress, Gorod, Scar Symmetry, In Flames, Be'lakor, Left Behind, Cattle Decapitation, The Ocean Collective and others.

[@pushytub]

@@MoSweiti666 Uh huh typical poser fodder

[@tompatchak8706]

@@MoSweiti666 oh man! I don’t know any of those!! Putting them on me list now!

[@FictionCautious]

Metal will unite the world.

[@nordriket]

As a 1 day old infant who has listened to metal music since the cambrian explosion, I can truly appreciate the sense of community this genre of music gives.

[@Suzzers]

Wow, an old fan! I've only been around since the Jurassic Period :)

[@twcnz3570]

Young people 🙄

[@ahhwe-any7434]

I feel like my "style" is to cookie cutter & I'm supposed to always say the right entertaining things bc I'm such a role model... But that's y everybody also hates me so let the bodies hit the floor 🤘🏻. I'm being special. Ppl put up w/ my crazy hair too bc y not. I'm also awkward ASF & like to purposely say random emo... Ish to throw ppl off. Like my phone dropping bc I gotta be all sweetsy helping ppl. "It's like symbolic & poetry to how my life is." & In all my complexity... "Them" someXs: c*nt. Thanks, I love you too 🤗. Bc 🤷🏻‍♀️ were all adults hurrr Although I think some rock music makes my baby cry.

[@glittesparkel]

​@@SuzzersXDD

[@Aendurrr]

*Sigh I've only been around before the big bang

[@wednesdayquake5358]

I'm Thaï living in France, although I faced racism numerous times in my daily life, it never occurred in a metal concert nor a metal bar, those are my safe spots here. I love this music and I love life, happy new year everyone !

[@ahhwe-any7434]

No I def remember going to a korn concert & being called a racial slur. So I called him a whale. I didn't call him a whale but I did call him a fat curse word. Prob other things that accidently could've been offensive to the ppl I was with too.. although I don't think they cared. Younger folks going off into the military & stuff. Also I found me a mommy. She kicked me to the curb too. She really didn't but she's a Pikachu that listens to older rock. Dont tell her I said that tho bc she fahnah think I'm cringy

[@shamparice007]

@@ahhwe-any7434 no worries my friend, you are not alone, try not to let negative get to you, you are loved 😍 a mum

[@cango5679]

@@shamparice007 beautifully said!

[@Knightshospitaller]

For one of my English assignments in high school, I wrote an essay about how metal music is better than pop music. In one of the parts of the essay, I wrote how metalheads were the nicest fans for music genres. When I was looking at feedback from my teacher, she wrote a note at that part saying that what I wrote was true. Metal forever🤘

[@shingasen4601]

W teacher

[@diobrando7266]

best essay ever

[@h0pesfall]

I would write an essay how intolerant and superficial most of them are...

[@jag-stang29]

@@h0pesfall sameeee

[@Dexusaz]

Cringe, how old are you, 13?

[@renfrommercury]

as a 14 year old, i can say that the adults in this community are the most chaotic but respectful and genuine people i've ever seen. i love metal.

[@Beyond1904]

Im almost 14 too, i agree

[@StevenFox80]

That's about the age I became a metalhead. Welcome to the family!

[@tommywolfe2706]

As a 40 year old in this community, I feel like I have an obligation to show you some of what the old fogies consider "the best", but my best moments are when young folks (my son is 13 and my best friend is 26) show me songs that I had no idea about that are freaking amazing! Nothing is better than finding a "new favorite song" to jam out to, and I dont have the exposure (you kids and your technology) that you do, so why not be respectful! I always learn a thing or two! Been a metal head since I was 9 years old (1991)

[@jasonanderson5034]

well who u have seen dosent hold much weight your 14 you havent seen much their not the most chaotic .. herion addicted fentanyl dealers are not metalheads

[@cbt_man]

As yet another 14 year old, agreed.

[@Slipknotfanz]

Metal heads ar srsly the most kindest and sweetest people you’ll ever meet😭

[@ruthbarr3159]

Metal heads are often intelligent, accepting, and know a lot about music , I love them!

[@1nONLY_DRock]

Metal makes me happy. I am, by no means, a tough guy, an expressive guy, or a sensitive guy. But when I listen to metal I feel like I can fight a mountain lion and write an epic poem about it afterwards. Metal helps me express and make sense of my own emotions, and gives me that empowering feeling. I even have difficulty expressing anger, frustration, and sadness. I just discovered DBSM and somehow through its melody alone I'm able to let those feelings be felt. It's amazing, this power that metal has over me.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your story. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with us and our community.

[@iwontbesilenced2321]

I knew a metalhead who almost killed himself. he would cry while listening to SOAD songs (it was ironic af) and it hurt to see him hurting so much. I asked him one day why he liked metal and he said "it makes me strong. it makes me feel like I can face anything and live forever." I dont know why, but his words stuck to me and I dont think I'll ever forget them

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@iwontbesilenced2321]

@@DWHistoryandCulture sure and thanks for the video :)

[@cpb9893]

Hope he's doing better🙏

[@ecurewitz]

Loud rock music helped pull me through depression as well

[@kyssedbyfyre915]

Been using metal to strengthen my resolve since I was 8. I'm 48. Headphones always in during home violence & high school 80s-90s. During dental appointments now😂 The dopamine hit makes me feel like I can conquer ANYTHING!

[@knightofliberty9297]

Ever since I discovered Heavy Metal, my life got significantly happier and better.

[@oneofthoseguys2019]

Same

[@TROHAWK]

you listen to Power Metal

[@tommywolfe2706]

@@TROHAWK if you use it right, its all Power Metal.

[@Vasilis_Metalhead]

Metal made me a better person and saved my life when I thought of terminating it. Been giving back to metal ever since and I'm definitely happy and proud to do so! Cheers to all Metal brothers and Sisters out there!

[@bluesamourai4318]

@@TROHAWK yes

[@SamK-vk7kb]

When I worked retail I always enjoyed serving metalheads. Without fail they were most polite and charismatic customers I'd see, and they usually got a staff discount as thanks ;)

[@nyocx]

Metalhead therapist here. I love this video so much and I hope everyone watching and reading the supportive comments knows they're loved!!

[@resistfascism]

I'm 64 and was turned on to metal by my grandson. Now I'm a big fan of Sabaton and Alestorm, as well as Metallica. The musicianship of these bands is terrific. It has enriched our relationship.

[@rad1kalblu3s34]

Too right

[@evasmojang]

That's so sweet

[@asianbalot2211]

I also listen to sabaton! :0 it helps me motivate and also... WHEN THE WINGED HUSSARDS ARRIVES xd

[@MissWinkle555]

My 8 yr old listens to megahertz and other metal and hard rock bands with me. It's actually very emotional music, but in a masculine way. It sounds angry, but it's deep.

[@greganderson6371]

SABATON! 🤟🤟

[@DiegoWalisson]

How many lives heavy metal has actually saved is countless. There is no other genre in the world that makes such a positive impact on our lives.

[@II.PP.11]

Absolutely 🖤🤘🔥

[@arianedasilvapalmas1721]

For sure!!

[@michipichi0]

I actually met a guy at a concert who said that metal was the one thing that carried him through an intense depression.

[@EveInTheMachine]

This is true. It's brought me from the brink and has carried me through many a hard time.

[@username2872]

It's an irony that this genre is unfairly demonized

[@tarscha000]

Was a metal head in my teens, but as life took over moved away from it for a while. The slow down of the pandemic gave me time to reflect a bit and so started exploring things I couldn't when I was a teen due to lack of access to information. In 2023, I ended up in a very stressful job and while exploring ways to de-stress (including working out, meditation, etc) I turned to metal. It quite literally kept me sane through the endlessly unproductive work meetings, incompetent coordinators and endless short term deadlines.

[@patschoenherr7497]

I'd be dead without heavy metal, when ever I have a bad day or am very stressed out or high anxiety, metal always melts it all away. I feel so happy after, I love going to shows where I can be with my brothers and sisters of metal all together like one big happy family. I was born and raised in heavy metal and Rock music, and I will die loving it. Metal is forever.

[@SofronPolitis]

Discovering metal helped me get over my depression when I was a teenager. Forever grateful.

[@danteshollowedgrounds]

Same.

[@pujapete3665]

helped me in my 50,s

[@gisa5033]

Me too!

[@XouZ88]

"Then I was growing up the music was the escape that had no judgments" - Marilyn Manson 2002

[@CRIPTONAROTINA]

Same

[@key2theuniverse713]

When at a metal concert, whomever you are stood next to becomes your best friend until the end of the concert. It's just how it works...

[@BjornV1994]

And at a metal festival, whoever your neighbours were, whoever you might have passed, whoever you stood by at the merch booth... Even if you don't speak the same language, you somehow finds a way to make it work. Ah, the memories...

[@bryannguyen1260]

I am not a social guy but being at a metal concert makes me so comfortable I couldn't believe I let my inner extrovert out.

[@misternarwhalart]

@@bryannguyen1260 exactly my thoughts! I am not an extrovert at all but at a metal concert I have so much fun screaming and moshing with other people, and then giving each other high fives and headbanging together, it's great

[@alexdoorn234]

Exactly I know this guy I see at every concert I go to. We have our own greeting which even when told about surprised both my father and brother when they saw it XD. We point at each other and yell "you!" And that is how I greet my concert friend. He was the one that lead me into my first moshpit.

[@bryannguyen1260]

@@alexdoorn234 I still remember some of the people I was moshing with. I am hoping to see them again.

[@starfighter1972]

Heavy metal is my medicine to anger and depression, to joy and laughter. It has it all. More than all it has this unity factor, whoever is in metal knows that belongs to a big family.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and our community.

[@Limburg92]

Metalheads are an special breed. At work when I notice someone is an metalhead, the connection is always different than with an non metalhead collegue😅

[@kevindavis5693]

In my experience most metal heads also listen to a much more wide array of other genres. It’s not uncommon to see a metal head commenting on a classical music video or modern pianist and things like that. The music itself is deep and complex and can parallel orchestras and symphony’s. You find a lot of appreciation in the metal community for talented instrumental artists and singers no matter the genre.

[@FalconTypo6]

Nailed it! As we metal heads age, getting into some Ani DiFranco or even rocking out to the GoGos is so fun!

[@WhisperingEcho33]

@Reendog35 FACTS! When I was young (11-18) its was all about only the metal, I'm now 34 and listen to everything but country lol. We love a bit of everything but it don't happen until we're older lol I wonder why! Great point my friend, I'm also a Ani DiFranco fan!

[@daneelolivaw1976]

Totally agree. This is my case

[@PsyphaX09]

I love New Wave and metal!

[@circuitry400]

@@WhisperingEcho33 for me it was reversed! Started out tamer, then I branched out to harsher stuff.

[@alexnolla3449]

As metalheads we embrace the darkness that society so hypocritically reject. We dress in black as we know we are all mourning and still we find the strength to look at pain in the eyes. Others try to deny the horrors of the world as if they didn't exist. A true metalhead faces reality as it is, and lives through hardship with bravery as we are not afraid of the void.

[@ngoinam25]

Amen.

[@SpaceSloth707]

Hail darkness 🤘🏻 Nicely said by the way!

[@gregorygamir7051]

this can make a great song... =)

[@alienvomitsex]

I suspect this is why we're more well adjusted than average people.

[@cundionfire]

yup reality is all about duality...the light and the darkness...life isn't meant to be sunshine all the time you need the darkness to help the light shine brighter

[@nicholebondurant9788]

Heavy metal saved my life! Got into it when I was about 12 years old. My father would beat my mother and she didnt want to leave him. I was always afraid for my physical safety, felt hopeless, impotent, trapped, and many days I just wanted to die.... until heavy metal entered my life and held me together and strengthened me. It gave me a future when I thought my story should end. Thanks to Metal I am who I am, without it I would have died at age 13. Without it I wouldnt be the bad a$$, independent, sucessful woman I am today 🤟

[@shamparice007]

Nichole I am so proud of you precious love 🥰 a mum 😄

[@MusicGeekery]

Metal has always been a refuge for me. There is so much variety and nuance that caters for any and every given mood, whether you wanna chill out with something more slow-paced, feel like a manic Viking berserker, explore more introspective moments, find a safe place for your mind during severe panic attacks, or just get really goofy, there is always something to be found to suit. And any time I go to a gig, I always make friends. One time when going to Bloodstock, I was on my own, and managed to camp nearby a group of really chill people who just made me feel welcomed in and resting easy.

[@Isabella-zi2pu]

I went to concerts ever since I was a young girl and every time I fell down in a moshpit, there were 10 people immediately helping me up in a second. It's a beautiful community

[@neural_jam]

This is a great example of the empathetic nature of metal people, I don't enjoy the kind of physicality of mosh-pits so I don't join in myself, but I've seen plenty of times people either being helped up or sometimes physically lifted up and being plopped back on their feet 😄 Everyone's there for a good time, and don't want to see anyone injured by an accidental stomping!

[@MichiStefan]

Metal Rule Nr.1

[@julesboslough5576]

I was at a metal show at a small dive bar and wasn't in the bit but the outskirts, and this dude launched himself into me and my friend, and we fell backwards. He helped us up and apologized and even offered to go get us ice if we needed it. Later, that same guy went down in the pit and everyone stopped, picked him up, and they all hugged it out before going back to moshing

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

poser.

[@robertjohns4218]

The Mosh Pit Rules - everyone understands these almost instinctively: If someone falls over, pick them up! Respect the security guys. ... Don't throw things. ... Don't purposely hurt someone. ... Don't pull someone into the mosh who doesn't want to be there.

[@thwoo-]

We went to a restaurant before an iron maiden gig and all the waiters said that all the metal heads were really nice polite people and they weren’t expecting us to be so nice.

[@bladerunner3314]

Yeah, we look wild, but most of us are harmless (unless provoked, of course).

[@victorkreig6089]

We all have lives and have usually experienced it's negative side in some form so we are sympathetic to others quite easily It isn't a hard concept more one that society in general has started to forget, treat others how you wish to be treated

[@jasonanderson5034]

your a buttknocker

[@richardnewbold6155]

Yeah you wear your battle jacket covers in patches and studs like mine and as you say a lot of us do look intimidating but we won't bite you, and me to I've been on my way to a concert or festival with my battle jacket on and occasionally you get to talk to a non metal head on the way and you can kind of sence them thinking your actually a very nice friendly person, like they went expecting that!!!

[@Lucifer-do7mf]

reminds me of the Aldi Cashier XD i tend to dress a little stereotypical so when i went to Aldi with my mom to grab some snacks , the cashier lady was slowly sinking into a chair scared while starring at me wide eyed. mom just said "she doesnt bite , she swallows whole" and the lady immediately relaxed again.

[@VOX-TRO]

I remember one time in a Trivium moshpit in Jakarta, I saved a guy from falling on his back while he was crowd surfing. On the next song's circle pit I ran & slipped on a full water bottle, and as I was falling forwards someone grabbed me from behind just a split second before I hit my face on the concrete, and to my surprise, it was the same guy that I saved just earlier. Metalheads are always metalheads, whoever & wherever you are, we're always brothers & sisters bonded in the flames of heavy music🤘

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with us. Sending you all the best

[@bonyannie]

Ive listened to metal for 13 years now (im 26) and can i just say ive never been (genuinely) asked to name 3 songs. Its such a safe, accepting community

[@lastwymsi]

I have never felt more like I belonged than when I go to metal concerts. I walk in and its like "ah, I'm no longer alone."

[@axsuriaa]

yeah

[@tose5566]

Yeah I totally agree. I feel like a lot of us feel kind of alone in regular places, but going to a metal concert is like peeing after a long hold. It’s just nice and everyone’s having a great time

[@michellerosejacksoncomedy]

As metalhead going on 17 years now, it saved my life for the better.

[@jasonanderson5034]

no hyperpop did i hear the music u play its literally hyperpop not metal go listen to your chipmunk vocies somewhere esle that is not metal

[@incongruous4]

@@jasonanderson5034 lol chill I checked out his profile, there's no hyperpop on his playlists. It's all old-school heavy metal like metallica and pantera or hard rock/nu metal like korn and slipknot. Not heavy at all compared to standards these days but still technically fits into the "metal" umbrella.

[@Ricknback]

@@jasonanderson5034 why are you so mad bro, it's his music. Don't be rude

[@jasonanderson5034]

​@@incongruous4oh my bad i got that one wrong i just geussed tbh i geuss thats metal but it should be hyperpop and i shouldve been right

[@incongruous4]

@@jasonanderson5034 Dude what. Oldschool heavy metal has nothing to do with hyperpop. How does 100 gecs or brakence sound anything similar to metallica or pantera? Geniunely curious. You also have rap saved to your playlist so why are you trying to be a metal elitist so badly.

[@danarnold4210]

Yes! I'm a metalhead, but I don't even know which songs or bands I'm listening to most of the time. I just listen to the music. That is the power of metal. You dont care for the name artist or the popularity, its the song that matters

[@dogansozer4351]

Our lack of aggression stems from the aggressiveness of the music. We relieve aggression through metal.

[@holycrab6316]

Is it just me or does any of you get goosebumps just by watching it. I can almost feel the atmosphere even when I'm not physically there

[@abraxasvoice440]

Feels like I'm crying inside 🤟

[@Jeffmetal42]

I absolutely feel it.

[@TheMorriganLeFay]

Glad it wasn't just me!

[@LancelotGraal]

Yeah, I wanna cry. Cause I right now I wish I was in the sun with my cargo shorts and my leather hat on, running and screaming.

[@kimlittle9236]

Not alone I feel a electric rush of strength

[@dreamingscarlettm5415]

Also: metal lyrics don't shy away from heavy and tragic topics like death, loss, mental illness, .... This helps so many people dealing with their emotions and life situations, because they feel heard, understood and not alone. Metal is not shallow like most mainstream pop songs. Plus the music is so much more interesting because of heavy guitar riffs, changing rhythms, virtuouse solos and otherwordly vocals.

[@crownjewel555]

adding on, I struggle with a bunch of social anxiety, and metal is just like an outlet where I can feel like someone truly relates to me.

[@tumerica]

So important!

[@HereticalKitsune]

Bloodywood is one of those bands who sing about tragic topics, aye. Their stuff is HARD! In many ways. But also as they say, headbang to banish bad vibes into oblivion!

[@serra9941]

@@HereticalKitsune Just saw them in Berlin! Amazing band indeed! One of the most fun and welcoming concerts I've been to :)

[@HereticalKitsune]

@@serra9941 Envious! All the Neid! Glad you could see them! :D

[@cielsteam]

I’ve always felt very lucky that I had started listening to metal as a child. This helped me build the tolerance for screaming that I may not have been able to otherwise. When I listen to metal and realize the screaming is not bothering me at all, I feel like I can appreciate the beauty in something not everybody gets to see.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with us. Sending you all the best

[@alchgaming2959]

metal is not only a music genre, but a lifestyle, and safeguard

[@downlink_x]

I‘ve been on hundreds of concerts of different genres in the past two decades but the people at metal shows are the most friendly and considerate, and they really take care of each other.

[@samrudroff9543]

I went to a maiden show a couple of months ago and all of the people there were so nice

[@jeffnicholas6342]

99 times out of100 if a fellow mosher falls down in the pit, someone will help get them back to their feet!!

[@PongoXBongo]

@@jeffnicholas6342 Not only that, but the band will often even stop the music and turn the house lights up to make sure the person is ok. The fans will gladly part the sea to allow security or medics in to assist. And despite the show being stopped, they will cheer for the compassion shown.

[@jeffnicholas6342]

@@PongoXBongo Also bands will stop a show if someone is being a duck. I was at a Converge show some years back. Some dick said some sexual slurs and was getting too rough in the crowd. Jacob stopped everything. He didn’t even need to call security, the crowd ‘escorted’ him to the bouncers and fun was had by all!!

[@ErwinBlonk]

It's the same at neo/dark/pagan folk concerts. But to be fair, 90% of the fans are also metal fans. Then again, the genre has roots in metal. Not musically per se but founding members come from such bands or are fans of it.

[@Map4ch3]

No other music genre has ever made me feel joy like metal does. There's this feeling when the breakdown kicks in that can't be described in words

[@FalconTypo6]

And segues! Metal bands are KINGS AND QUEENS!

[@rajkodejong166]

AMEN!

[@psylanja]

i'm a pretty short woman and i've never felt unsafe at a metal concert. i will never forget when i was 15 and alone in the front row of a slipknot show (in 2002), a big guy i didn't know stood behind me and put his hands on the gates, pushing against the crowd behind us just to protect me. metalheads are just the kindest people🖤

[@Ari11P]

Heavy metal makes me a much happier person and helped me to overcome many years of mental heath struggle, which I still deal with, but in a recovering state. Metalheads like me are a great family and we meet each other at gigs and festivals to watch our favourite bands and bang our heads to oblivion!! It is a liberating and enpowerfull catharsis and just who is in this genre can understand!💯🤘🖤

[@dankingjr.2088]

I tried to tell people this for 40 years. NEVER been in a fight at a metal show. Actually had a lot of people stop to check on me over the years. Polite, friendly lines in the bathroom. We are a tribe, and among our own, we are all good. I cannot say the same for country or rap shows I've been to.

[@spookyspider1014]

The camaraderie extends to everyone and that's why it's so amazing. As a very petite woman, people are always checking on me at shows and looking out for me in the pit! But my best friend who looks like a 6'3 Viking gets the same treatment! We all just want to enjoy our music safely and make sure everyone's loving it :D

[@ashleygoggs5679]

i love the unwritten rule when in a moshpit the circles all stop in an instant when someone drops to the floor. There is so much mutual respect its crazy, i will forever be in love with the metal scene. And i agree about the rap concerts one only need to look at the Travis scott concert a few years back when he encouraged the fans to come to the stage resulting in people being crushed including children. There is no respect for other fans.

[@kkech1]

Travis Scott *cough cough*

[@1978SOOTY]

Amen to that!

[@1978SOOTY]

@@ashleygoggs5679 For real! My kids never believed me while they were growing until the got to experience the pit for themselves as adults. Now they'll happily jump in with me!

[@craigdavies4682]

Back in the 90s at Donnington, we bumped into a Slayer fan from Spain, we never caught his name, but he came for one band. When the time to go mosh came he asked us if we would look after his bags. All his gear in, money, passport. That bag at that moment was his life and he trusted us enough in the short time we had known him to safeguard that. Which we happily did. I have said for decades metalheads are the nicest people you will ever meet.

[@barbarossaglamtimur508]

I had a similar incident. I live in Turkey and went to the 1988 Donnington festival. It was incredibly cold and I was wearing only a t-shirt. On the way to the festival area, an Englishman saw that I was cold and gave me his leather jacket. When I asked how I would give it back to you, he said it doesn't matter, you can keep it. In order to give that jacket, I stayed with them throughout the festival and gave it back at the end of the festival.

[@SimuLord]

Nicest people I've ever met are hockey fans and metalheads. If you meet a metalhead who likes hockey, you're talking to the salt of the earth.

[@flossycee1012]

Definitely 💯 True 🤘

[@m_erenaksak]

True brotherhood. I had same experience in Germany, last year in Reloadfestival 2022. We always take care of each other…

[@rimshot6444]

@@SimuLord Nice to meet you too!

[@xmxofficial]

I agree that metalheads are happy people! I know I am! When I stared listening too metal and hard rock, I understood life better. The good and the bad. It’s also like a way of thinking. What I like about metal is that they don’t cast out the darkness, but they find beauty in it and embrace it.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with us. Sending you all the best

[@katiedickson0820]

We’re just happy to be accepted and understood 🖤

[@5Demona5]

My family always made me bottle up my emotions as a kid, so I struggled a lot to vent them as I grew up. Then I found metal, and I could mosh in my bedroom, scream in my car or in my shower, and it's been very helpful when I feel I cannot express myself properly.

[@zerocents4658]

I'm facing a similar situation, just wish I had the privacy to do that too 😂

[@glittesparkel]

​@@zerocents4658 same :,)

[@Aendurrr]

@@zerocents4658 Same 🤣 since i lived in a 3rd world country and we all my family share 1 bedroom i find it hard to express my emotion 🤣🤣

[@andersjjensen]

@@zerocents4658 1) Find a long ass road with few/no people on the side walk 2) Put on you headphones 3) Crank the volume to 11 4) Select track 5) DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT YOUR GROWLING AND DEMON SCREAMING! There! Nobody can tell you that you can't sing along to the music you're listening to. Even if your preferred music sounds like the gates of hell broke open.

[@TheFloatingBartender]

As a metal head watching this, confirms exactly why I love being a metal head. We are just a family of beautiful people listening to incredible music. I love all of you!

[@LedKashmir]

Absolutely! ❤️🤘🏻🔥

[@GeilerDaddy]

wrong. most metalheads are really ugly.

[@LedKashmir]

@@GeilerDaddy you have no clue what your talking about.. period.

[@GeilerDaddy]

Just take a look at the people in the video. Nough said.

[@II.PP.11]

🖤🤘🔥

[@TheShapingSickness]

My mother passed away a few months ago. And rediscovering metal again has helped me so much. There are feelings of powerlessness, of anger, of sadness, of anguish that are present in the songs and the music which has allowed me to heal. For that I will be forever grateful.

[@satchito]

Metal saved my life. I've never experienced a biggest sense of community than at a metal concert. Nothing, nothing comes close.

[@Brunaflongo]

Went to my first Metallica concert when I was 13, took my 12 year old brother (I know, my parents just let us go, amazing). This was 93, São Paulo, Brazil. A group of big guys kept a circle around us all the time protecting us. I loved the music by then, after that show I fell in love with the community. Long live metal.

[@steffenwennerstrand8969]

They have the nicest fans. They smile at me as well 😁

[@triggerskull]

Protecting you from what

[@guildwarsnerd123]

@triggerskull stuff can go down when your in then pit. Especially when ur a child surrounded by people way bigger than you

[@triggerskull]

@@guildwarsnerd123 😄

[@moshi42]

I am not a stereotypical metalhead from the outside, but inside my heart pumps when hearing metal. It is an instant power rush, no human being can resist. Even if you are not a metal fan there is at least one metal song that will grab your interest.

[@FunkyBuddha81]

Well i could say the same about Folk songs, but you are right in every Genre is at least one song that touches your soul. I think everybody should look beyond their own horizon, and check out as many genres as possible.

[@erpaderpa4469]

Could say that about any genre 😂 Only metalheads feel the need to make themselves sound special

[@chriscarhart4775]

Absolutely true. I got my brother to appreciate some Motionless In White songs that have fewer screams and more emotion, but still bring the power of metal.

[@chriscarhart4775]

I also feel that way about certain genres aside from metal, like I don't consider myself someone who likes pop or alternative/indie at all but there are one or two artists that fall into those categories that really speak to me when I listen for some reason.

[@andrewharper1609]

No, I don't think you find the same sense of community among the chart lol scence.

[@IamZeus1100]

So true ! Metal is a great positive outlet . Having an outlet for anger and rage makes life much easier . Be it boxing , Muay Thai , metal music , bodybuilding or powerlifting . Metal also doesn’t make me angry , that’s for sure . And I love a lot of genres , I like raves , folk , indie , rap , country etc but of all the shows I’ve went to metal concerts and festivals have always had the nicest people by a mile . Even the mosh pit itself is full of friendly people. I remember I was a circle pit once and tripped and started falling and before I hit the ground 3 dudes caught me mid fall and pulled me back up and were like “I gotcha ! keep moshing friend and stay safe !” Another time someone lost their shoe in the pit and the crowd formed an arm circle barricade so the person could look for their ring with out getting shoved around. Another time I saw someone lose a wedding ring and the band itself paused the show after the song they were doing finished and said we gotta let the person find the ring before the show continues so . All around very considerate people

[@MadDogRyan]

We don’t try and hide who we are because the community is wide spread and we scream at the top of our lungs singing along to some of the greatest songs ever created

[@VoyagerIsHere]

Metal is not just music. It's a way of life.

[@jasonanderson5034]

no it can be music to i dont have live a certain life or act like u to be in the metal community i thought metal was for outcasts who didnt want to be like everybody esle but now your trying force me under as label

[@VoyagerIsHere]

@@jasonanderson5034 There are many ways of life. And everybody has the freedom to choose their way of life. Nobody asked you to like metal. Stop crying for no reason.

[@jasonanderson5034]

@@VoyagerIsHere i like metal i just think critically about everything and point out facts your the one who is crying i just said the truth u dont like it and insulted me i dont have to live a life style to enjoy metal music i live my own unique blend of a life style sorry their is something wrong with that your a garbage human being to think i cant be differrent but u can why are u aloud to be differrent but i cant i have to follow u

[@VoyagerIsHere]

@@jasonanderson5034 You have cancer in your brain that's affecting your ability to think coherently negatively. Go and get checked to a doctor.

[@jasonanderson5034]

@@VoyagerIsHere without this kind of thinking metal wouldnt even exist ... how do u think new ideas are thought of by thinking outside of the box thats how

[@herrmeistermann2426]

As a nearly 70 year old guy I can only say that metal has brought me much joy over the years. I started the journey by listening to the likes of Arthur Brown, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple around 1970. In the 80's i mixed it with gothic. Now a days, 2023, still enjoying the metal. Not much beats a relaxing evening with a few glasses of good cognac, a nice cigar and some My Dying Bride in the ears. 🤘

[@Tronderose]

A man of great taste! I quite enjoy My wine in silence ;)

[@Sean-fv4wi]

Awesome! Just shows if you're truly into it, it stays with you for life. And unlike many my father's generation, you aren't stuck in the past, keeping the passion for newer stuff alive. I know I will be just like that if/when I get to my 70s. What I'm envious about is that you were there to experience the start of it all first hand. Hails brother \m/

[@Fullmetalmagus]

You are a man of great taste. Cheers

[@deadlynightshade1658]

Oh, I love My Dying Bride! 🖤

[@stratonarrow]

This made me laugh. Rock on!

[@giuseppegiacomoscialdone4969]

I am an old Italian guy. I don't tell lies, I walk alone on right. I'm alone on stones made by ancestors. I write my truth in poetry. I am in peace with myself and I find that headbanging is something like a smile, a cup of beer given away to a perfect stranger I named and known as a 'friend' for a moment. This to me is 'metal'.

[@SabrinaBelladonna]

It does not matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, female or male...a metalhead is a metalhead!!!!

[@cherd5343]

I've always kind of felt sorry for people that did not enjoy metal music. I can't help but feel that there is something significant missing in their lives.

[@schobel]

totally ... also people that know nothing about it and think it´s this Joke or just noise .. what they miss out on !

[@ManoBakalo]

Right !!!!!!! Their great ever loss !!!!!!!

[@wtfj4462]

@@ManoBakalo sorry bud metal sucks . Your missing out you gotta listen to rap RN!

[@horror-core]

​@@schobeland the people who think screaming or low growls are talentless trash, and don't want to accept the fact that it does indeed take vocal training. I mean if you wanna sound like Tatiana from Jinjer, you better know what you're doing or say see ya later to your vocal cords.

[@wingsoficarus1139]

@@wtfj4462 You make rocket league videos

[@ajhproductions2347]

Case and point - a lot of people were terrified of slayer shows, non metal heads mostly. They seem so chaotic. The pits are insane, but the second someone falls down, everyone is helping them back up. There’s a real sense of camaraderie at metal shows that you just done see at other genre concerts. It’s cool to see this because most of us (with a couple exceptions) tend to be very peaceful, easy going and pleasant people to be around. When we’re not forcing the neighbors to listen to cannibal corpse at 3:17am on a Tuesday morning 😎

[@mitcht.410]

Its the hash,weed & beer that help metal heads stay humble .

[@sickhorrorfreak]

Nice pfp

[@nigeldepledge3790]

Wait, you mean there are people who *don't* listen to Cannibal Corpse at 3:17 am?? Weird!

[@davecrupel2817]

I say let them be afraid. It keeps the undesireables away. Leaving only the intelligent, perceptive and wise that can see through our facade, to find their way into our world. ❤

[@1978SOOTY]

@@mitcht.410 Sooooooo much weed and beer! Although it was whiskey for me, beer makes me ill unfortunately.

[@darrinself]

Metal doesn't just make me or keep me happy. It helps me to keep my sanity. Helps keep my depression in check in ways that medications can't. It gives me an outlet for so many different emotions and feelings that I would never be able to accurately describe it.

[@andrewbell8458]

Most liberation I've ever felt being part of this soulful community. I'm proud of my kinfolk.

[@LyubomirLifeloverSpirov]

Almost 2 decades this genre has been not just a lifestyle but a remedy. I wouldn't consider it just a music. It's been my best, most loyal friend at the darkest of times.

[@jasonanderson5034]

john cena going beat u da f up

[@PeoplecallmeLucifer]

🤘

[@theoriginalNoOne.]

Almost 4 decades for me! And I JUST turned 50! Metal has saved my life a couple times, "no cap", as the kids say nowadays.

[@markorollo.]

@@theoriginalNoOne. same for me, nearly 49 (but only physically) i did have a momentary lapse away from it in the 90's but it dragged me back in again.

[@juancarlosv5136]

​@@theoriginalNoOne. I can consider myself a metal fan since 1984 and what religion means for other people with Jesus, etc, saving his lifes, to me was and is Heavy Metal

[@krsmedley]

As a lifelong metalhead I can’t tell you how many people told me: “metal music makes you angry,” and I would attempt to explain to them, no quite the opposite, 100% honest, metal music soothes me and I’ve loved it since I first heard it. Whether I’m happy or angry, metal music tends to agree with me and makes me feel happy (ier), and undoubtedly more alive. For me, life tends to get monotonous without heavy metal. 🤘🏼

[@233kosta]

Office colleagues characterise the music as "angry" any time they hear me listening to it, but I don't care, it sounds good to me

[@RonnieTheSim]

I've found that listening to metal makes *me* angry, but I'm dead certain it's a good influence on the people who are into it. Metal people have always been courteous and pleasant to me while knowing perfectly well that we're from different branches of the family.

[@TheBcvg2002]

I'm 49 and have been a metalhead since I was 12. What appeals is that this is a truly open and genuine expression. The themes are anything but very few genres explore difficult themes. Growing up in an unhealthy home, I had so much anger and desperation for a way to not punch holes in the walls of my home. Metal was an outlet, a way to explore those feelings with music and lyrics. It taught me a vocabulary which no one else discussed, and to know that I was not alone in these feelings. That... and the pounding of a double bass drum accompanied by a massive chunky riff with a heavy bass backing it up still moves me deeply. Still when I am down and flat on my back from the difficulties of life, an hour of listening will charge me and give me energy to keep going.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing parts of your personal story with us and our community.

[@erdzso7036]

My dad is a metalhead so am I. Greetings every metalhead from Hungary! 🇭🇺

[@Lordradost]

Met a guy years ago who told me heavy metal was "hate music". Man had no clue how cathartic, rhythmic and melodic that music is, nor how genuine its people tend to be. Almost told him he might need some of it in his life.

[@Content_Deleted]

He does!

[@achimdemus-holzhaeuser1233]

Yes, people always give me weird looks when I answer "Relaxing Music" to what I am listening to. The looks get even weirder when they then take the headphones and get a dose of Slipknot or SOAD. Sometimes I call it Noise Meditation.

[@joequinn2408]

Heavy metal saved my life as a teen, without the positive messages, community and joy it gave me I would have lost my will to live❤

[@Emperor_Of_Mankind]

Glad you stuck around.

[@MerryMoss]

This is amazing to hear, I'm also glad you're still around 💚

[@fa18superhornet]

I am a teen, and I have some mental health problems (which result to suicidal tendencies) and I got into metal about a year ago. It is what keeps me alive. Last month I went to a concert, and it was the best experience of my life. My social anxiety disappeared for the duration of the concert, and I felt great.

[@horror-core]

​@@fa18superhornetI suffer from mental health issues myself. It sounds cliché, but if it wasn't for a few select bands I would have been gone 3 years ago. So I get it. The Endorphin album from Infected Rain got me through a year of my worst.

[@henrikharbin5521]

Loud music helps me forgive the negative impulses out of my head. I love all kinds of music but rock and metal have energy that other types of music really lack.

[@tragictoy3347]

Can confirm... living with BPD & my go to is emotion is anger. Metal acts as an incredible outlet and brings an amazing sense of calm & contentment. Metal for life!!

[@marcosjpinto8450]

I'm 61, I'm Brazilian and I fell in love with metal the first time I listened to it when I was 14. I still love it.

[@burtknighten4438]

Me too. Megadeth skin o my teeth. I remember smiling and saying what the fuck was that? I want more

[@GoGrowGoGrow]

Love Angra in my teen years into today. Holy Land- great album

[@GoGrowGoGrow]

Brazilian Metal- Listen to Caca e Cacador. Great song too

[@user-xw8ss2mm1w]

Metalheads aren't "happy people". We are just humans, we have problems, we have cool days, bad times. Metal doesn't make us happy all the time, it's not a medicine to change magically our state of mind , it's music that can make us feel strong, but not every single time.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for watching. We appreciate you sharing your perspective with us and the community.

[@soadfe]

​@@DWHistoryandCulture i can relate to user-xw8ss2mm1w's point. While it is true that metal helped me get through some of the worst times of my life, it doesn't mean i'm a happy person just because im a metalhead. The struggles i have with depression are sometimes eased by metal, but cannot be cured by it. During one of my last therapeutic sessions i realized, that i mostly listen to highly energetic music and can't stand listening to melancholic music, because anxieties about myself will come up, that i am not strong enough yet, to look at. Metal helps me to calm down but is also like a booster, with which i try to keep myself away from fears within me. I wish that i could say about myself, that i'm a happy person. Maybe some day i will. I'm working on it ;)

[@EagleScout2019]

One thing for me is that Metal is just fun when you like the music. Think about what we did as kids, we jumped up and down, we ran around, when we heard a song we banged our head even when it wasn't metal, and it was fun. Now, were doing the same stuff but with metal music, and it's really hard to not have fun while doing that.

[@arusharma2822]

Discovering Rock and Metal was the best thing that happened to me!

[@margix1172]

Heavy Metal = Saxon Maiden Priest Sabbath Picture Dumb (fake) "metal" = everything from speeddeathblacknuemo and all this kind of GARBAGE!

[@sudeep2580]

Same here

[@enzodoria5210]

Heavy metal is my strength my encouragement to be the best person I can be. It has taught me to be strong both physically and emotionally. To question all things. To not let anyone negatively effect me. Metal always gets me through hard times. METALHEAD FOR LIFE

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with us. Sending you all the best

[@TwistedGamersHQ]

When in a pit at a metal concert, my cap disappeared into oblivion. I accepted the faith that it was gone. Then a few seconds later this big shirtless dude knocked on my shoulder, giving me the cap! Its such a small thing but really describes the community. I couldnt be more thankful for someone's existance!

[@TripleEBA]

Yep ! Lost my glasses in my first mosh, during the music day. Everyone made a circle, found them in a second and back to it. Also learn mosh is not for glasses :D

[@shamparice007]

@@TripleEBA 😁you made me smile BIG

[@MsLittledream1]

Another thing not mentioned in the report that I really love about a lot of metal music are the themes of fantasy and mythology many bands sing about. It's not all about death and violence. There is some amazing story telling in those songs. And yes, much tragedy as well. ❤🤘❤️

[@shmodzilla]

Yeah it's kinda sad they went straight to that. Id have to bet that if i picked 100 songs at random there might be 1 or 2 that mentions death and its not what they assume at all.

[@radist8334]

Totally agree... metal also deals with those subjects as well as history. And also there's metal and metal: symphonic metal, death metal, doom ,etc

[@Xubuntu47]

Can you mention any more fantasy or sci-fi oriented bands? And while I really dislike violent lyrics, the idea of dropping all your aggression into the music so you are more peaceful in your regular life fascinates me. Does this actually work in your experience?

[@Vincent-bn6wq]

​@@Xubuntu47 Gloryhammer ; Angus McSix ; Alestorm ; Powerwolf ...

[@Arcalargo]

​@@Xubuntu47 Fuershwantz, Saltaltio Mortis, Turrisas, Wind Rose, or Alestorm

[@OzLeedsCrew]

Bands like Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, Judas, Sabbath, Testament, Exodus, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Pantera, Sepultura and so on came blasting into my life as a 12 year old back in 1992, and I have never looked back. The plethora of sub-genres, the people, the T-shirts, the riffs! Proud metalHead for life \m/\m/

[@jasonanderson5034]

john cena going beat u da f up

[@Gutztv07]

Check out August Burns Red “Messengers” my friend, breakdowns, heaviness and powerful lyrics, on a different level! Ugggghhhhhhhhhh!

[@gforce4063]

Morbid Angel

[@itsasquareguardthing7656]

Same age getting into it

[@andrix736]

I feel you bro' \m/

[@albinoreaper2949]

My parents played metal for me so I would go to sleep at night and would sing me power ballads when normal lullaby’s wouldn’t work. One of my earliest memories is of little baby me trying to growl “Valhall Awaits Me” by Amon Amarth with my dad in the car. 18 years later, still pushing strong. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to any real metal concerts outside of local gigs, but I can’t complain. It’s been such a big part of my life I don’t think I really need to go to a concert to truly understand what the genre and the community as a whole is about.

[@DWHistoryandCulture]

Thanks for sharing these memories with us :)

[@teacup3000]

Metalheads in general are very respectful and friently people. They will not judge you by superficial traits and they won't force any believes onto you. Whenever I'm within them I feel like I can just be myself.

[@Mizri1]

As a 40 year old mom of two, metal music is my happy place. It has helped me get through some of the hardest times in my life.

[@jmkass]

Fellow 32yo metal mom of four here! I absolutely agree, girl!

[@RaytheGrayt]

No joke, I see a lot of people here, including myself, saying how metal helped them in tough times. Death metal and black metal helped me manage to escape into what seems like a different time period, like a movie when things got bad. I love other genres too but Metal will always be my number one

[@annyankaab]

Im a 40 year old mom of two also, and I feel the same!

[@vaderladyl]

I am a 51 years old female and I had been using metal as therapy since the 80's. Helped me through a lot, indeed.

[@usernamesareforidiot]

That's awesome! Do your kids like it? What bands are you listening to?

[@Kingmight-vg4fq]

Folks don't realize that the metal community, which im very proud to be a part of🙏🏽🤘🏽, is definitely one of the most welcoming and life changing communities out there, it doesn't matter who you are where you come from or what you look like, when it comes to metal you will find plenty of people who get you and end up making life long friends!

[@NAlvazaz]

Metal helps satisfy my need for intensity. It helps me feel centered.

[@andrewlikesmetal1095]

Metal is a catalyst to understand the most painful and tragic aspects of human existence. It makes me feel seen and heard to hear songs that resonate with me in such a way. I feel modern life is full of toxic positivity where if you feel dissonance or process loss you are shunned by contemporary society. I most of all appreciate the honesty and vulnerability artists put in their music and the willingness to express emotions we are taught to hide or repress

[@pymb71]

Very well said. I totally agree. 👍🏼😊

[@jamineamina5429]

nah. its just thematically impressive to me. usally the musicians are at the pinnacle of their craft, as well. i like rhythmic and melodic aggression in music, all there is to it really. you sound like a sadsack

[@jipasd]

The double bass alone makes me relax. When I was traveling more I used to always listen to one death metal album, and usually fell asleep in about 10 minutes, despite it being quite harsh to some other people. Others make me mosh despite not having a hair to throw around. Either way, it's just enjoyable.

[@gsleazy1975]

Dissonance I agree would sum up everything. I hear all tones pull back into one so different fuge states of sound interests me. The ability to distort whatever usual thing going on is what I understand most. So likewise a good artist might be able to spring into the distorted reality sometimes and inspire a ballad to encourage distortion to the distorted in the way that getting it off your chest first guides a line.

[@andrewlikesmetal1095]

@@jamineamina5429 well I do like doom metal and depressive suicidal black metal, so I guess I'm a sad sack. I also love insanely technical stuff like archspire.

[@dragonBishop99]

Metal music as a genre has always been socially and politically progressive. It really brings people together.

[@FunkyLittlePoptart]

I started taking bass lessons a year ago, and I chose my teacher in part because his bio listed being in a black metal band. I asked him about it, and he said that he got into the scene because he always wanted to be around queer and creative people. He wasn't wrong.

[@MichaelKrinsky-hx1vu]

"Socially and politically progressive" - I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you!

[@duzntmatter9079]

I’ve been a proud metalhead with Asperger’s (high functioning autism) since I was 14 years old and now I will be 37 in a few months. Heavy-metal has saved my life several times.

[@mcalad6255]

Great article! I "discovered" metal music late in life when I was not in a good mental state. I love different music genres but none of them could resonate with what I was feeling. Metal helped me heal. Why? Because it creates a safe space where all dark feelings, emotions and thoughts can be explored, talked and released openly without judgement. With metal I could navigate my darkness safely and got to know it until it stopped feeling dangerous, fearful, unsafe or unknown. Most music genres talk about the bright and dim side of life whereas rock, punk, rap and metal are the ones diving into the very dark side which is also part of the human experience and is important to be addressed too. Love and peace to all ❤.

[@dimasakbar7668]

What i love about metal is you can be weird, be nerdy about something, be uncaring about externalities, and still find whatever kind of flavor you want and be accepted.

[@PerjantaiPrkL]

I actually cried when seeing some of the bands of my childhood. It is such a rush of emotions it cannot be explained.

[@tommywolfe2706]

because they were there for you when no one else was, for so long. Of course! My son wanted to play some music in the car the other day.....Bullet for my Valentine.....and he wanted to blast a song that I had played on repeat while frantically getting to the hospital for his birth...... I almost broke down. You cant stop the emotions and its alright. What is music good for if not that?

[@PerjantaiPrkL]

@@tommywolfe2706 That’s awesome!

[@tommywolfe2706]

@@PerjantaiPrkL Can I be nosey and ask what bands you got to see from your childhood?

[@shawnryan2197]

Which bands made you cry?

[@PerjantaiPrkL]

@@shawnryan2197 I was very emotional when Cattle Decap played lol.

[@satombff6010]

I am 16. Started listening to metal last year. Not a single regret. I love everything about it. \m/