Heavy Metal does Not equal suicide
(THe Metal Stereotype)
Ever since the birth of heavy metal music, it has constantly been a source of negative media attention because of the themes of sex, drugs, suicide, and Satanism (Lacourse, Claes, and Villeneuve 322). When comparing heavy metal music with other genres it was found that heavy metal has many similarities with other genres like pop. (For more see Music Comparison). Those who stereotype heavy metal see it as an evil genre because they cite accounts of band members and music fans who "desecrated graves and churches, engaged in satanic rituals and committed suicide and murder" (Recours, Aussaguel, and Trujillo 475). It is impossible to deny these incidents, but they were not supported by the heavy metal subculture. These are rare events and cannot be used to define the entire metal culture. The second issue with stereotyping heavy metal as a cause for suicide is that our culture glorifies death. Movies show plenty of death and gore, and the news is filled with crime. Scholars who have studied death have concluded that people who confront death the most are also the most capable of dealing with it in a healthier manner. This means that the constant exposure to themes and symbols of death, Satan, and suicide allow heavy metal fans to have better mental health than those who do not like metal music (Recours, Aussaguel, and Trujillo 486). Therefore the metal stereotype is unfounded and as a result heavy metal music does not cause one to commit suicide.