Just in case you needed any more reason to start banging your head, a new study has revealed that heavy metal is good for your mental health.
Have you ever found yourself exposed to the notion that metal fans are some of the nicest and most positive people around? Maybe you’ve witnessed it first hand while at a live show, or maybe you’ve heard it said as part of a lesson not to judge people based on looks.
Well, now it appears as though science has once again served up another reason to listen to the heavy stuff, noting that heavy metal can indeed be good for your mental health.
Over the years, we’ve seen science attempt to explain the appeal of death metal, before claiming that fans of the genre are in fact “nice people”. Now, following the news that an Aussie uni offers a doctorate degree in the music style, mental health is the latest benefit to come from chucking on some Iron Maiden.
Check out ‘The Number Of The Beast’ by Iron Maiden:
According to Neuroscience News, Cardiff Metropolitan University lecturer Nick Perham has noted a number of the benefits that heavy metal has been credited for during the course of scientific studies.
While pointing out that the association with metal and violence is non-existent, Perham stated how now only did the musical genre increase the positive emotions of listeners, but also research has found it holds “positive mental health benefits for its fans.”
“Fans who were made angry and then listened to heavy metal music did not increase their anger but increased their positive emotions suggests that listening to extreme music represents a healthy and functional way of processing anger,” he explained.
“[Metal] fans tend to be more open to new experiences, which manifests itself in preferring music that is intense, complex, and unconventional, alongside a negative attitude towards institutional authority.
“Some do have lower levels of self-esteem, however, and a need for uniqueness. One might conclude that this and other negative behaviours are the result of listening to heavy metal, but the same research suggests that it may be that listening to the music is cathartic.”
Maybe Quiet Riot were onto something when they named their 1983 album Metal Health?
Check out ‘Metal Health (Bang Your Head)’ by Quiet Riot:
