From vicious solos, hellish vocals and intense performances, heavy metal music may seem to only draw the crazy from society, yet those willing to put their stigma aside can discover commonalities with its fans.
Though difficult to understand at times, heavy metal is an art form, allowing musicians of that genre to express themselves through highly energetic and fierce shows. Depending on the style of music or song played, the fans can erupt into crowds of “mosh pits,” synchronized head-banging, which is not yet an Olympic sport, or leaving the concert with throbbing ear drums.
Though an experience many would shy away from, heavy metal, like other genres of music, connects with its fans at different levels. From current issues facing society to personal struggles and battles, heavy metal bands can resonate with many if given the chance too.
Don Riggio, a 28-year-old music major, began his journey towards heavy metal as a child. Being exposed to his mom’s wide range of music, Riggio began to develop an appreciation for all music styles and artists. From iconic musicians like Bob Marly and David Bowie, to classics such as Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath even touching current alternative rock like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Linkin Park, Riggio began falling in love with all types of music and wanted to discover more as he grew.
“Growing up, I [one day] got my own CD player and basically snatched my mom’s CD’s, and I took them to school and was instantly hooked and after a while just got more and more into it,” said Riggio.
As Riggio continued his journey into music, he began to lean on the more “harder” side of the spectrum and found himself liking heavy metal. Now a “metal-head”, Riggio can be found sporting his heavy metal battle-vest on campus.
When asked what advice he would give to fellow students wanting to explore music and venture out as he did, Riggio replied, “Do it, and don’t feel bad about it.”
19-year-old music production major Devlin Ramirez would agree. Being a big fan of thrash metal, Ramirez credits a punk band Agnostic Front helping him through some hard times of his own. However, music by itself has served a deeper purpose as Ramirez shared his bouts with depression and how music can help anyone out of a dark place.
“Music has helped me through a lot of hard times, mostly through depression, which I admit I have struggled with,” said Ramirez. “I’m sure there’s a lot of people in general that can relate to what that feels like. [Music] is a powerful motivator to get you to move, to get you to get things going. You can listen to your favorite song and a lyric will stand out to you and you’re like, that song was written specifically for me [for] this certain time that I’m going through.”
Ramirez sentiments were felt by others in the group such as 21-year-old sociology major Eric Vidales, who also believes strongly about the power of music that helps people through difficult times.
Vidales discovered heavy metal listening to Led Zeppelin which led to other artists like Van Helen and ultimately finding Slayer in his later years. Though his passion is the same, Vidales journey was met with resistance at home.
“My family hates metal and rock music. They think it’s scary. They think it’s satanic and that I’m going to hell … but I’m not,” said Vidales.
When asked what advice he would give if students were interested in heavy metal but don’t know where to start, Vidales replied, “Talk to us. We’re not scary. We’re not going to bite your face off … were not going to bite your face off. We’re all just nerds and sweethearts.”
Discovering music can be a solo journey for some that’s met with opposition and questions. But for 18-year-old film and TV major Devin Arellano, it was more handed down than discovered.
‘My dad had showed me the Metallica One music video from 1988, and I fell in love with that song and from there I was like Metallica Metallica. Going into middle school, I got into grunge and then in high school I dove deeper into metal and [it’s] different genres,” Arellano said.
Next to being an art, heavy metal like other styles of music has also made its mark on the social and political stage. Ramirez points out that heavy metal got its beginnings from punk, which is notorious for making political statements. The music of the tired and angry, Punk paved the way for musicians to speak their minds and expose hypocrisy and corruption of the powers at be.
Music provides an outlet to express varied emotions and subjects. But for Riggio, Ramirez, Vidales and Arellano, the present moment should awaken and demand that musicians get serious and confront the issues at stake.
“I think it’s always important that despite listening to bands that sing about gimmicky topics it’s always good to listen to bands that sing about very real things because it keeps your mind open and keeps you educated,” said Ramirez.
Regardless of how one views heavy metal, the group encourages all on campus to venture forth with an open mind and discover the bands and types of styles out there.
