The Art of Metal Music

My friend once walked into a classroom and accidentally started playing his metal music from his phone speakers, and a surprised classmate jokingly asked if he was okay. I’ve seen a lot of reactions like that toward metal; people seem to think it’s all about death and anger and demons. But as a listener of the genre, I want to tell you why metal may not be so scary after all.

First, let’s address the screaming vocals. I’ll admit, they can take some time to get used to. But at the end of the day, they’re a valid musical style and a significant artistic choice. Screaming vocals communicate the passion and deep emotions that lie behind so many metal songs. Without them, metal songs would not be as accurate in their expression of the themes contained in their lyrics.

It’s true—many metal songs focus on negative emotions and conditions such as anger, anxiety, and depression (not all do, but we’ll touch on that later). But these are things that real people struggle with every day, and you’re likely to have experienced at least one of them yourself. And as with all human experiences, they deserve to be expressed through art. My favorite band, Beartooth, focuses on frontman Caleb Shomo’s battle with mental illness and emotional struggles. For a great example, check out their song “Disease” (https://youtu.be/GZG_HKfIz0U). Many of Beartooth’s songs are dark and even hopeless, but they nonetheless resonate with thousands of listeners such as me. These songs help people understand and work through their struggles, and they let them know they’re not alone in their experiences.

But not all metal songs are negative. Another of my favorite bands is Killswitch Engage (featured in the image at the top of this post), whose lyrics tend to be positive. Many of their songs, although still heavy in sound, focus on the hopeful struggle against evil in our lives and in the world. The themes of faith, hope, and love are prominent throughout their music. Try listening to their songs “Reject Yourself” and “As Sure as the Sun Will Rise” to see what I mean. I’ve found Killswitch Engage to be among the most profoundly encouraging and uplifting artists out there, which may surprise those who only pay attention to their heavy sound.

Metal may sound intimidating at first, but if you can get used to the screaming, you’ll find yourself open to a wide and authentically artistic genre. Metal is crucial for expressing common human experiences. And besides that, the skill and musicianship possessed by so many metal artists is simply superb. So, why not give it a try?