On the face of it, a world that combines metal music and video gaming would seem the most unlikely bedfellows. One might conjure up imagery of mosh pits and headbanging, the other hyper-intense focus and button-mashing. But upon closer scrutiny, one might discover that a certain natural synergy exists between two completely dissimilar forms of entertainment. Metal and gaming will provide both a chance to run away from the real world and an opportunity to dare and risk to thrill themselves. More importantly, they can be powerful tools for personal growth and self-discovery.
The visceral energy of metal music is the perfect soundtrack for epic gaming sessions.
Drumming thunder reflects the quickness and speed of making most decisions in games. Electric guitar riffs with a guttural voice to make adrenaline burst in one’s blood, bringing all the excitement from passing all the tests and gaining victories in games. Studies have attested to the fact that fast tempo and high-energy music can enhance cognitive performance and reaction time. It could even prove of much help in action games that are really fast or online battles that mean great competition to win each second.
On a further note, most of the metal lyrics dwell on issues of tenacity, rebellion, and triumph against all hardships—therefore, such themes would have all the meaning to inspire gamers at very tough or highly challenging levels and Whether it be Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” or Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction,” songs could kick in and deliver that extra motivational push, urging to push through the frustration and keep reaching for victory.
Far from just background noise, metal music transcends into something that becomes the integral part of the gamer; most sub-genres in metal, like symphonic metal or power metal, have that flair of the epic narrative with elements that are fantastically themed, typical for many video games.
Metal music culture thrives on a strong sense of community, especially within the context of forum activities like “rock video games.” When translated literally, the term may not capture its true essence, often being interpreted merely as music and games. Here, the term “forum” refers to a platform where enthusiasts regularly come together. This sense of belonging and support is particularly crucial for young people navigating social challenges or searching for a place where they feel they belong.
Metal and gaming have many benefits not only in the entertainment world. Actually, several kinds of research have suggested that both activities might be good for mental health.
Metal music can healthily help a person rid himself of the energy forces building from anger, frustrations, and stress by expressing this energy in a cathartic release of emotion headbanging or moshing. In this way, both moshing and headbanging might help to get a physical release of pent-up energy; meanwhile, the raw power of the music can be a powerful tool for getting emotional validation.
Gaming, on the other hand, can offer a safe space to explore emotions and experiment with different identities. Games like open-world and role-playing ones enable game players to take up different characters and allow them to explore various moral dilemmas, open-world games offer nothing but a vast virtual land for purposes of conquering. This sense of control and mastery can be particularly beneficial for those struggling with anxiety or depression. Online gaming communities also provide additional social connections and support. The value of these communities to their members is priceless, for the simple fact that this is where social identity, membership, belongingness, and acceptance can be derived.
Nowadays, the space of video games even further crosses boundaries. In the world of video game soundtracks, one increasingly notices the interjection of metal music, with bands from Mastodon to Bullet for My Valentine composing music for popular video games. Of course, it gives further possibilities that this VR technology gives to blend the worlds of metal and gaming together, including opportunities to slay mythical creatures within a VR environment, played to by that metal band live, something that would really melt the minds of all metallers and gamers.
Superficially, metal music and video games might not be seen to mix at all, but with just a little probing, you find something else: dynamism that makes both experiences so much better. Whether that be adrenaline fueling from epic gaming sessions or a true sense of community and identity that shares passions, there’s not a doubt that the two shall always be linked.
