This is why I listen to metal

Metal has always been the light in the darkness for me


I recently started a Spotify playlist, and I named it “This is why I listen to metal”.


For the longest time, I’ve always found solace in listening to some of the loudest, complex, aggressive music, that humanity has ever produced.


See, at a young age, I was exposed to a lot of people doing illegal drugs. During my pre-teen years, I discovered that I had an affinity for rock music.


It wasn’t until I was in high school where I was exposed to the more harsher forms of music, under the guise of rock. The 90’s just started, grunge was all the rage, and catchy choruses was the lifeline I needed back then.


I remember back then, I could not understand Slayer, nor appreciate the intensity at which they were playing. It wasn’t until a couple of decades later that I realised how chaotic my life was back then. But that’s another story for another time.


I wasn’t a metalhead back then, not yet. I don’t think I ever expected to be one. The heaviest band I had the privilege of listening to was Helmet, and any other exposure to heavier bands was only through the two radio stations LA 105.9, and NU 107.5.


The very first proper metal band that pushed me into the genre was Sepultura, and the album that got me into this mess was Chaos A.D.


Sepultura's Chaos A.D.


It was heavy, it was atmospheric, and it forever cemented my special appreciation for metal drummers in the form of Sepultura’s Igor Cavalera. 


I can’t remember how many times I listened to Chaos A.D. And back then, I couldn’t afford CD’s, so all I could purchase were cassette tapes. They weren’t cheap, so this involved me saving up my allowance, not eating at school, and even walking instead of using public transport to go home.


But Chaos A.D. wasn’t Sepultura’s first album. It was actually their third. They had a second album called Arise which at the time was a lot more popular. It would take a while before Arise warmed up to me. It was different from Chaos A.D. (which was quite accessible for rock fans turning into metal). Arise would eventually become my favourite Sepultura album of all time.


I can remember the times where I felt lost in life, and music saved me from choosing the wrong path. And to complete the phrase “This is why I listen to metal” - it’s because metal has saved my life. So many times. And it's still continuing to do so, to this day.


The Spotify playlist is still new, and I will most likely be updating it on a daily basis. Each and every song there will be something that I really like. You can access the playlist at


https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NGgb1gy7F0a7tt3nGXWe5?si=db31cf4cda12498a

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