Heavy metal music and youths

Abstract

Heavy Metal music is considered to be one of the most powerful kinds of music that has caused lots of controversy and stir since its birth in the late sixties. This genre of music has attracted legions of supporters all around the world, with Malta being no exception. The music, with all its rebellion and shocking imagery seems to attract a fair number of young people and gives some sort of meaning to their lives. Some critics keep portraying this music in a negative way, particularly pin-pointing to the evil effects it has on young people. In this study the author, thanks to his personal experience with this music subculture and supported by relevant theories gives an introspective insight into the rituals, meanings, and symbolic interactions which are synonymous with the Heavy Metal subculture. This study will also discuss how this kind of music affects its listeners' behaviour and its relevance related to affiliation of this counter culture. Topics such as drugs and other forms of deviancy will also be discussed. In conducting this study, the author used the "triangulation method". This involved interviews, the distribution of 200 questionnaires and the use of "direct observation". It is hoped that the reader will be "enlightened" about the subject and develop an understanding of both this music and its followers.