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Heavy Metal and Violence: Is There a Connection?

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Published: 12/11/2008 10:35 am

Updated: 12/26/2008 11:13 am

Heavy metal music and teenage violence…a new report is fanning the flame of this controversy. But, is there really a connection between violent tendencies and kids who listen to aggressive dark lyrics?

It's a controversy as old as heavy metal itself. Does this style of music influence people to become violent? That's exactly the question we recently asked die-hard head-bangers at a local "disturbed" heavy metal concert. And their responses may surprise you.

When it comes to heavy metal, people typically either love it, or hate it. The heart-pounding drum beats combined with aggressive and raw lyrics is the recipe for a style of music that's been at the center of controversy for years.

“It's not…pop music, I'll put it that way! It's get crunk kill-your-neighbor's-mom type music, and that's what it is, to be honest about it," said heavy metal fan Adam Morris.

Some people have tied this type of music to various acts of savagery, like in the case of the Columbine shootings. And, with lyrics often involving themes of blood, fire, and death, it's easy to see why many folks would make that connection.

Believe it or not, even many heavy metal fans believe this to be true.

“Honestly, there is a…connection between heavy metal and violence, because I'm heavy metal, and I'm violent! You could ask anybody around here, they're the exact same way," said Straden McCarty.

"Probably because the Columbine shootings and Marilyn Manson and all that stuff, some of the lyrics are bad and they teach kids to go out and do things they shouldn't be doing," said Nealey Tubbs.

Clinical psychologist Zanaida Griffin says teenagers and young adults are very impressionable, and this type of music can indeed lead to violent behavior.

"They're looking for a sense of identity and they hear the lyrics, the gestures, as a form of normalcy," said Griffin.

Griffin adds that heavy metal and violence go hand-in-hand, creating a potentially dangerous cycle.

More on the web

The Heavy Metal/Suicide Connection

Heavy Metal and Violence: More than a Myth?

"Young people that feel rage or have low self esteem vacillate towards this sort of music, so it has a snowball effect," said Griffin.

However, most metal heads aren't buying it. They believe their music is often used as a scapegoat to try to explain violent and vicious acts that have absolutely no connection to the fact that the perpetrator listened to heavy metal.

“Some guys, they're already built that way and the music does have a savage beat to it. But I think it has more to do with the individual than the music," said Brandon Hackett.

"When people like Marilyn Manson get blamed for stuff like that, I just think it's ridiculous. They need to take responsibility," said Tabitha Popwell.

“If you're a violent person, it doesn't matter. You could listen to Barry Manilow and go beat somebody's ass," said Laura Swann.

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