Heavy metal is where it's at, and according to the media, it promotes anti-social behavior, violence, and so on.

The media is right, but not really. Metal inspires thoughts and feelings that no other type of music does, and many of said thoughts/emotions are completely at odds with society as we know it. Does that mean metalheads are fuck-ups?

Of course not. One of metal's greatest attributes is that it doesn't kowtow to the standard social mores. It's often atavistic, primitive, fueled by "barbarian" impulses- impulses that modern society has no place for, at least in the West. Western culture, as glorious as it is, has repressed a good deal of the human experience, and metal does a glorious job of bringing those submerged experiences and urges to the forefront of the consciousness of those who listen to it.

This, according to the media and other suppressive powers, is wrong. People are not supposed to have any affinity with bloodlust, heartfelt paganism or atheism, contempt for the weak and stupid, and so on. Such feelings are contrary to the simultaneously insipid, mealy-mouthed, soulless, conniving, dishonorable nature of Western culture in 2005 A.D.

Bullshit.

Don't get me wrong. I'm pretty far left of liberal in most circumstances, and I still hold to general Christian values. That said, holding these views and listening to metal are, as far as I'm concerned, is not mutually exclusive. Indeed, I find my own constant clash of values to be the hallmark of human experience, pulled as I am between decency towards and utter contempt for my fellow humans. I cannot bring myself to completely love or hate people, which is pretty much how everyone else feels, whether or not they admit it. I don't hesitate to mock people, but I'm also quick to jump to their defense if I feel someone is being unfair towards them.

Anyway, if you're concerned about looking proper in the eyes of people that are, more likely, more stupid than you are, don't listen to metal. If you're not concerned at all, don't listen to metal. Metal isn't an excuse to be a fuckin' asshole. If you want to get off to being a raging prick, join a fraternity or become a cop or politician. Whatever the case, please think for yourself, and don't use your musical tastes as an excuse for any stupidity you may indulge in. Art is a higher power than you, and you have no fucking right to bring it down in any way whatsoever.

Oh yeah, one last thing. If you look down on metal, then chances are you're a fuckin' idiot. Everyone likes some metal, even if they don't have the stones to admit it.

Drunk, concerned, and angry at invisible enemies,

Dave Smith

"Yeah, that's it, man. It's all the music! You know everything is just fine until we just listen to a couple of heavy metal albums. Then we get all fucked up!" -Joe Connelly, "The Stoned Age"