Why Heavy Metal is Awesome!

So yesterday the Daily Mail once again ran an idiotic article about the suicide of a young teenage boy, I’m not even going to bother linking to it, because they don’t deserve the one click that would get them.  That story is obviously tragic and I don’t want to belittle that.  However, the Daily Mail chose to focus on the fact the young man was listening to Slipknot and was a ‘hardcore rock’ fan.  Now quite frankly, I am fed up of this kind of shit.  I think we all are.  However, I have written about these problems before, more times than I count.  So, rather than focusing on calling the Daily Mail cunts, which they are, I have decided instead to write about 5 ways that heavy metal is awesome.  Because in shit times, we should focus on the positives.

5. This video

I mean the fact Viking metal is a thing is already pretty damn awesome, add in that they make videos like this and it just cements that fact.

4. The community

I have had a fair few moans at the online metal community in the past, I can’t deny that.  However, that doesn’t hide the fact it is by far the best community in the world.  Whether you are at a concert or just walking past someone wearing a Metallica t-shirt in the street, there is a constant feeling of camaraderie and it all stems from liking the same music.  I don’t think there is anything else in the world quite like it and you can find a million stories about how it has helped people.  Sadly, the Daily Mail doesn’t pick up on them.

3. The concerts

I once went to a Stereophonics concert, I’m not proud of it, but it happened.  It was the most boring pish I have ever stood through.  The crowd was static and whatever the twat of a lead singers name is, had a little hissy fit when someone shined a light on his face.  On the flipside, some of the most fun I have had in my life has been at heavy metal concerts and festivals.  They are a cathartic and freeing experience.  I mean where else is it acceptable to run around in a circle, throwing yourself at other people?  Nowhere, that’s where.

2. Lemmy

Do I need to say more?

1. Because it made me who I am.

It is a cheesy thing to say, but it is true.  Heavy metal has given me so fucking much, that to pretend otherwise would be stupid.  So many of the decisions I have made in my life, have been informed by a love for heavy metal, I got into writing about music because I loved heavy metal.  I have made friends and studied university courses, all because of my love of heavy metal.  What you like in life, doesn’t necessarily have to define you, but being a metal head is more of what I am than anything else and quite frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way.