In the 2000s, heavy metal saw its boundaries blur. Kawaii metal first made its debut through BABYMETAL’s unique fusion of Japanese idol culture and deathcore techniques.
Researchers have explored whether heavy metal songs’ lyrics cause increases in anger, aggressive cognitions and aggressive/antisocial behavior. Though their results vary considerably, some studies have linked liking this music with traits like need for individuality and authority-defiance.
Paranoid
Paranoid is the term commonly used to refer to those who feel attacked or persecuted, while most of us will experience fears and suspicion at some point during our lives; those suffering from paranoid personality disorder or other mental health disorders experience these feelings to an exaggerated degree.
Paranoid individuals interpret history through a uniquely subjective lens, viewing important events as results of some secret plan or particular power held by the enemy. This gives them unique authority in what they view as spiritual warfare between good and evil that they perceive to be taking place.
Black Sabbath created many iconic songs on OK Computer, such as Paranoid. This haunting and abstract track showcases Thom Yorke’s ghost-like schoolboy vocals with Johnny Greenwood’s guitar work to form an alternative rhapsody.
Devil
Christian doctrine holds that Satan, or The Devil, represents evil. Often depicted as leading an army of lesser evil spirits known as demons he leads under his control, his name derives from Greek diabolos (meaning “slanderer”) or accuser in several tales and legends from various cultures around the world.
Dour country singers lamenting about Satan are a staple in music, but this track from Belgian death/folk metal band Necromorbus stands out. It has an almost Tom Waits-meets-cosmos feel to it – like an acid trip of infernal profanity!
Jyin475 from TexasAlicia believes this song depicts someone struggling with drug dependency (the devil being present nearby). But addiction could apply to anything which keeps one from enjoying their life fully; you just need to find ways to conquer it.
Heaven And Hell
From the album Achtung Baby, this song serves as a caution against corrupt people who attempt to convince you they will treat you well by entering your life – only for them to rob and exploit you financially and steal away all your dreams in return.
Bart Ehrman’s latest book, Heaven and Hell, will likely stir controversy among his longstanding fundamentalist Christian opponents – but this should come as no surprise: Ehrman has long made a career out of unsettled religious minds.
Cry Of The Gypsy
Cry Of The Gypsy is a song that explores the struggles faced by those who choose a life of rebellion, particularly their inner turmoil as society attempts to control and contain their wild spirit while being haunted by past mistakes.
The song follows a character whose life has been filled with both adventures and hardships; searching for truth and purpose while yearning for freedom while living an unconventional lifestyle. Lyrically, its lyrics express these sentiments of yearning for freedom that come with living a rebellious lifestyle.
This song’s lyrics were inspired by John Demetro, a gypsy living his life at night while searching for that golden thread to connect him back with his family and stay true to their beliefs. His life provides a vivid illustration of this struggle faced by all gypsies.
Highway Star
There are few rock songs as iconic as Highway Star. With its signature guitar riffs, driving drums, and blistering solo guitar solo, this tune serves as an anthem of speed and freedom, celebrating escaping into space via high-powered cars regardless of risks involved. Some claim that Highway Star was instrumental in birthing speed metal subgenre popularized by bands such as Metallica and Motorhead.
Deep Purple band members Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore were responsible for this song’s creation; its first recording came on the Machine Head album released by them in 1972, alongside Smoke on the Water and Space Truckin’. While its origin is uncertain; perhaps inspired by discussions on tour bus to Portsmouth in 1971? Whatever its source may have been, many consider this to be one of Deep Purple’s finest works.
Angel Of Death
An angel of death is a supernatural being who is said to watch over humanity and bring an early death for those deemed worthy of such punishment. They typically appear as dark figures wearing black robes and wielding scythes.
The Grim Reaper, commonly referred to as Death itself, often appears as a dark shadow who arrives to collect souls of those who have died – however he can take other forms too. Prue Halliwell first encountered Death during her series Charmed where it helped her understand that some individuals must die according to nature’s plan and accept that certain lives must end eventually.
The Angel of Death is one of four archangels who help divide human souls from their bodies in Islam and Christian culture, often with assistance from his companion Lilith who performs various duties such as killing newborn babies or harming pregnant women during labor.
Belly Of The Beast
“Suffering in the belly of the beast” is an expression used to refer to situations which are hazardous or perilous and difficult to escape from. This phrase often applies to prisons or other hazardous environments where survival may be tough.
Erika Cohn has created an impassioned plea in Belly of the Beast, telling the tale of Kelli Dillon, an expert domestic violence counselor and gang interventionist who was sterilized without her knowledge during her 15 years as a California women’s prison inmate. Together with her attorney, Kelli battles the department of corrections over its system that prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation.
Documenting Sticky Fingers’ journey from their humble garage beginnings to selling out world tours, this documentary documents their rise through interviews with band members and industry professionals.
Chop Suey
Rock music has long been known for making an audacious statement; and System of a Down took this a step further with their song Chop Suey!
The meaning of this timeless track has long been debated, with some suggesting it relates to drug addiction and suicide; however, the band have never confirmed or disproved these theories.
This song is both musically and lyrically intricate, featuring driving guitar strums contrasting with Serj Tankian’s rapid-fire verses and driving strums of the guitar. At first glance, its lyrics depict someone suffering from drug dependency but searching for relief; however producer Rick Rubin recently revealed that this lyric may actually come from a book page taken out of Serj’s drawer!
Am I Evil?
Metal’s penchant for provocative lyrics can be seen in songs like Am I Evil by Newcastle’s Venom. With lines like ‘Freaking so wild / Nobody’s mild,’ its lyrics convey bloodthirsty thrash music and have inspired many bands to push musical boundaries further.
This song first saw release as a B-side on Venom’s 1984 UK single Creeping Death and later as part of Metallica’s first cover album Garage Inc, alongside other old Venom tracks. It is an incredible and chilling track which channels every negative human emotion into an 8 to 10-minute dirge of mournful guitar playing – truly timeless music, immortalized on video games Guitar Hero: Metallica and Brutal Legend alike.
Iron Man
This song pays homage to Marvel Comics’ superhero known as Iron Man. Based around billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (Iron Man’s alter ego), who is both an ingenious inventor and powerful hero with powerful telekinetic powers.
First introduced to American culture during President John F. Kennedy’s escalation of US involvement in Vietnam, Iron Man first appeared as a character in 1963, often being depicted as an icon for capitalist success and technological power, in stark contrast with more populist, traditional heroes like Captain America.
Iron Man wears armour constructed from various metals, typically aluminium; although his original suit was made from iron. After losing to a supervillain with mind control abilities who used voodoo-esque mind control on him, he decided to change to aluminium instead for his armour. Iron Man was one of the founding members of the Avengers alongside Thor, Wasp and Hulk – with whom he founded their group as well.