Gifted but Twisted

Glam fans, research has confirmed what most of us have known for years: metal fans are smarter than the average bear.

British psychologist Stuart Cadwallader says the most gifted teenagers love heavy metal because it relieves the pressure of being smart.

Results of this study may very well shatter preconceived notions that metal heads are, well, dim.

According to Cadwallader's study, screeching guitar solos and arena rock anthems are finally getting their just desserts.

Psychologist Cadwallader is a doctoral student at the University of Warwick. He's very into metal, studying the link between genius and head banging for his master's thesis.

This is an academic study we can use people! It makes sense that loud music inspires a feeling of empowerment which spawns stress release.

Think about the last time you were in a mosh pit, or beside a stage at a metal show, fist in the air. Did you feel stressed out? Were you dwelling on work, bills, responsibility? More likely than not you were caught in the moment, living a rock n' roll fantasy.

For me, this study is both vindicating and liberating. I've always noticed a definite mood reaction in my body when I turn on my favorite metal. My spirits change, most notably for the better.

Back in 1990, rock legends Judas Priest were sued for allegedly adding subliminal messages in their song "Better By You, Better Than Me." A Nevada family sued after their son committed suicide, saying the song had coerced him to kill himself.

Of course this is hogwash, and the courts agreed.

Cadwallader says "Heavy metal can be scary for adults, or for people who don't appreciate it . . . It can sound very aggressive."

Any adult can tell you that the teen years can be both really great...and really terrible at the same time. For most teens, metal releases pent-up feelings of anger and frustration. For Cadwallader, these typical teen angst symptoms stem from societal pressures and expectations that come from being "gifted."

The glam mistress feels the need to crank some Skid Row. I'm feeling the pressures today, dear readers.

Comments

[Hard Rock Hideout]

As much as I listen to this stuff, I must be a genius! :-P

[Metal Mark]

I listened to Judas Priest on the way to work today.

[aXe mAn]

I agree with that 100%!!
Metal does take away stress!!
Great blog Allyson!!

-axe man

p.s. metal 4 ever!

[Rockfighter]

No matter what I do, I have some metal ringing in my ears.... Man I am proud to be a genious

[Metal Fan]

I am a teenager and I love metal. I argue with people that don't understand it ALL the time. It is hard being the only true metalhead at my school (there are nu-metalheads and stuff like that of course). I am surely not booksmart, it is hard for me to listen to those crazy teachers all day, but I know a lot more about philosphy, psychology, logic and "street smarts" than many of the people that I know. It makes me happy to see that someone has actually performed a study proving that we are not worthless maggots. I love you...

[Devin]

metal always take away my stress. all the personal bullshit i wont get into, goes away the second i put in slave to the grind, or painkiller, or newer ones like nightmare