Chapter 1

EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL MUSIC TO THE SOCIETY

A Research Paper Presented to

The Faculty of English Research Center

School of Multimedia Arts

Asia Pacific College

Magallanes, Makati

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

ERESWRT – Research Writing

Luigy C. Trinidad

April 2014

Chapter 1

Introduction

A.     Background of the Study

Heavy Metal came from the evolution of fast rock music. Numerous genres had evolved from being one to another. A lot of people have been producing lots and lots of genres depending on their style and taste but metal music has been one of the most influential above all of them. The unique characteristics of metal music are composed of fast pacing rhythms, heavy distortions, loud and vague vocals and heart pumping beats.

Due to this, some people see heavy metal as senseless and aggressive.  To some people, who are not used to listening to loud songs, metal is nothing but noise. The noisy vocal heavy metal has makes the words senseless to them because you can never understand them clearly. Also, the words tend to be rebellion and a lot of them consist of curse words.

As a result, most people think that heavy metal is bad for the society. Most metal heads are also considered as delinquents. A lot of people see these addicts to be sinister and rebels due to their appearances. Metal heads are always seen to be wearing black or any other neutral colors, long haired with large earrings or tunnels. Also, some of them have distinctive tattoos and piercings.

Heavy metal is also associated with drugs, alcohol and vandalism. Frequently, cases against metal individuals have been filed. Many of these cases include something related to riot-like characteristics. For instance, some bands have been sued against violence like “Black Sabbath”. These characteristics have been said to be effects of addiction to alcohol and drugs.

There is a perception to other people wherein they say that the enjoyment of heavy metal has nothing to do with them. However, to metal heads, there is a satisfying feeling heavy metal music gives but that doesn’t mean that these satisfactions will lead to bad manners and rebellion. Thus, having background information about heavy metal will clarify the misconceptions people have about heavy metal and the people listening to it.

Instead of dealing with unique characteristics heavy metal has, this paper will focus on explaining the effects of heavy metal to the society.

B.     Statement of the problem

This study aims to answer the question:

1.      What are the effects of heavy metal music to the society?

C.     Significance of the study

Students of Psychology and Music related courses. This paper would be able to help psychology students who are studying about different aggressive characteristics. Some of them usually see Heavy metal music as a part of being aggressive of a certain individual, in this study, clarifications regarding the misconceptions of delinquency related to metal heads. While for some Music related courses student, this paper will be helping them in terms of musical understanding. This paper will include the characteristics of heavy metal music that gives a certain effect on a person.

Future researchers. Knowledge about the effects of heavy metal is somehow popular in our current generation and a lot of researchers see music genres as an interesting topic. This paper will not be discussing about other genres but this will be useful especially to those who are also in metal music. There might be an improvement on how people see metal heads as an epitome of rebellion.

D.     Scope and limitations

This study focuses on the psychological effects heavy metal gives in our society. Mental behaviors and physical appearances will also be discussed in the paper.

Due to some circumstances, this paper will not be discussing about other genres anymore such as pop, techno and ballad. This paper will give emphasis to heavy metal music because some people see it differently than other genres. Moreover, the researcher believes that heavy metal is a unique genre that gives off a different aura to other people who are not familiar with it.

E.     Definition of terms

Heavy Metal. A genre of music that came from the evolution of fast pacing rock music and vague vocals. This genre has been popular since the 1980’s.

Music Genre. Classification of music characterized depending on their form, style and content.

Metal heads. A term used for heavy metal fans and enthusiasts.