Why metal?

For oft when on my couch I lie,

In vacant or in pensive mood.

The music through my ear drum flies, 

Which is the bliss of solitude.

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And headbangs till the song falls still. 

Apologies to William Wordsworth for butchering one of his most loved verses. 

But I wanted to use poetic mediocrity, to talk about metal music. 

Why oh why, would any sane human listen to this guttural raging riding on dissonant guitars and blast beating drums? 

How does this provide pleasure?

Here are some possible reasons

1. Uniqueness- its not what anyone else was listening to and enjoying. So it was mine. As an adult, this was my coping mechanism. 

2. Rebellion - The fact that it irritates people is a source of mild amusement and pride. The fact that they cannot see past the harsh nature of the music is irritating - but you take what you can get. 

3. Lyrics and Content - Metal will and has gone where other music / art forms refuse to go. Nothing is off limits. And metal bands really care about what they scream about. Word of note though : read the lyrics before going to a concert. 

4. Skills - Metal musicians are usually more skilled at their instrument than others. Because the bar to be considered good, is very very high. 

5. Live intensity - Mosh pit. Wall of death. The intense release of energy that can be experienced during a metal gig, big or small, is unmatched. Yes, you can get hurt. But you seldom come out of it less happy than when you went in. 

6. Range and Variety - there isn’t any musical style that cannot be incorporated into metal. Because limits are anathema to metal, people are willing to go anywhere and everywhere. Classical music. Japanese and K-pop. Banjos and Saxophones. EDM and jazz. More the merrier. 

7. Emotive - I heard someone put it this way and I bought it hook, line and sinker - “Metal is the only music where the vocals and all instruments will and do match the emotional content and intensity of the lyrics. “