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It was in the press recently that a study has proven that listening to heavy metal or punk music can actually make you relaxed not turn you into a satan worshiping, pet sacrificing, head banging moron which is what most people must think.

The study was undertaken by the University of Queensland (UQ) School of Psychology and it revealed that listening to head banging music has the same affect as a warm hug. Honours student Leah Sharman and Dr Genevieve Dingle showed listeners mostly became ‘inspired and calm’.

Slipknot are one of the best bands for writing about break ups and real life problems.
My partner has been into all types of music all her life including a lot of classic metal bands. She hadn’t quite gotten into the more death metal, head banging types because of the ‘growl’. When I explained that it can be an excellent release of aggression and it allows the band to intensify the message of the song whether that be fighting an addiction of some kind, breaking up, fighting the authorities or just being pissed off with the world, for example. Once she realised this, she ‘got it’.

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There have been some pretty dark times in my life, both pre and post addiction, and especially in my recovery, where I’ve turned to music to get me through the day, week, month. Heavy metal music does calm me. Most of the bands I listen to have been through some sort of break up whether that’s from substance abuse or relationship breakdown. Everyone can relate. You feel the pain. The pain makes it real. The double kick drum beat makes your heart beat faster but in rhythm, you control your breathing while listening to every word in the song. The electrifying guitar riffs take your mind from the real troubles around you in your every day but at the same time make it seem okay. It’s your brief escape from reality, into a relaxed, calming state but at the same time your reality that you can relate to. That you’re not the only one going through this stuff.

As the study results proved, 

“The music helped them explore the full gamut of emotion they felt, but also left them feeling more active and inspired. Results showed levels of hostility, irritability and stress decreased after music was introduced, and the most significant change reported was the level of inspiration they felt.”

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I know it leaves me inspired. That’s one of the main reasons why I like to create music, in particular heavy metal music. It calms me. It allows me to express my whole range of emotions whether that’s anger, sadness, happiness or despair. Some people can find relaxation in listening to classical music (which I do also listen to from time to time) but for me, heavy metal wins hands down.

For more information on the UQ study, you can find details here.