Because of my husband and brother, who are heavy metal musicians, I started listening to this art form. Initially, I tried to understand the music and the emotions behind it, and I was disappointed. Over time, I have started to stop trying to ‘understand’ heavy metal music instead, I just listen and be present. Surprisingly, I started liking it. That is all it takes - just be present and observe in a nonjudgmental mode.

This article by Ryan Holiday beautifully describes the emotion and thought process behind someone embracing this not-so-mellow music genre. Apparently, heavy metal music appeals to people who consider themselves as outliers and struggle to fit in.

“It is probably every parent’s worst nightmare, especially parents of the generation mine came from. This was dumb people music to them. It was ridiculous, ugly, and only a few short steps from tattoos, drugs, long hair and dropping out of school.

So yes, most parents might think that metal songs are about drugs, violence, suicide, the devil and whatever other ridiculous stereotypes scared people project onto it. More directly, the assumption is that they somehow advocate these things to impressionable young people. Of course, the opposite is true. In fact, the music is often about coping with the complicated and dark feelings that come along with a serious intellect at an early age.

A few years ago a study found that kids with the highest IQs are disproportionately attracted to heavy metal. The reason is that the themes of alienation, frustration, and even pain, match the experience of a smart young person struggling to fit in and make sense of the world.”

Many of us fail to see the artistry behind the heavy metal music. Here’s what the author saw.

“When what we had to read and study in school bored me out of my mind, it was music that stimulated me–that inspired me to think about how words could be used, what was worth studying and just what the human experience was.

Even though Kirk Hammett landed his dream job, he continued to learn and stay a student. I remember thinking how different that was than the notion that geniuses are just naturally that way. No, it takes practice and work to be good at something—even a thing that many don’t respect as real “art.”

Something you notice quickly about the genre is that it is more than just music. Heavy metal album covers are some of the best in the history of music. Because the bands understood that they were not just recording songs, but creating brands.”

Despite not being a mainstream music, how did this genre of music survive and has been thriving? This is where Kevin Kelly’s 1000 True Fans concept comes into play.

“These are acts that rarely got on the radio or television. How did they survive? How did they keep going? How do they currently sell out stadiums—literally stadiums—when most people assumed they have broken up? Because they know who their fans are and exist exclusively for them. They were also smart enough businesspeople to figure out earlier than the rest of the industry that the money was never in record sales.

In any case, to see these bands continue to thrive when the economics of music have supposedly collapsed is a testament to the power of a loyal fan base and a universe of products.”

The author mentions how heavy metal turned out to be more than just music.

“I learned that you really could be good at more than one thing. Moreover, that stereotypes are total bullshit.

If there’s one model that I have used to justify my peripatetic career, it has been Bruce. Why shouldn’t I try new things? Why wouldn’t it be possible to get excellent at this thing? If he can do all he is done, I can do a fraction of it.

The entire time it was making me smarter, introducing me to new ideas, teaching me about the business of art, and inspiring me to pick a different career.

Plus it was fun.”

Lastly, the point that most resonated with me was how music could help tune out distractions while you work and how it can ruin the ‘music’ element.

All that said about being an outlier and trying to fit in, if only people knew that average is just a myth and hence, there is no point trying to fit in, would we still enjoy heavy metal music? Something to ponder on.