Heavy metal brings a good sound to many

Published 2:22 pm Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Robert Shaw accurately reports various facts regarding the upcoming “Mayhem Fest” concert (Auburn Reporter letters, June 27), but quickly strays into the oft-repeated refrain of a particular genre of music being unhealthy.

Go back a few decades and this letter could refer to the Blues, Elvis, The Beatles, Punk, Rap, etc.

Mayhem fest is a celebration of heavy metal music – it is not a “war on our quality of life and mental health.” Our future is not being destroyed as Mr. Shaw argues. If it were, it is absolutely not by heavy metal (or any other music) but by larger forces, including environmental apathy, poor parenting, inadequate education/school funding, bigotry/intolerance, abuse, corruption, lack of critical thinking, wasteful wars and blind adherence to bad traditions.

Heavy metal song themes often involve resistance against these bad things.

I invite Mr. Shaw to Mayhem Fest (with ear plugs) to see firsthand that the heavy metal community is actually quite positive and uplifting, despite the scary band names and wild sound.

Yes, heavy metal is “pounding, loud, intense, aggressive” with “screaming, angry lyrics” – some of us like that. Those who dislike heavy music should avoid this show, but let those of us who do enjoy it. I am grateful to live in a nation and community where I have freedom to listen to whatever I want.

– Doug Grose