The Most Often Overlooked Genre of Music

Hey audience, sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy doing other things, such as DEALING WITH THE RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF COURSEWORK ASSIGNED TO JUNIORS. In any case, I have returned, having been away from my blog for so long. Why have I returned, you ask? I, my friend (as this is not popular enough yet that I will expect anyone EXCEPT my friends to be reading it), was inspired to use an hour or so of my life to record my thoughts in a public domain after listening to an album on my iPod in the dark with my eyes closed. I do this somewhat often, for it helps me relax.

QUICK, WHAT SORT OF MUSIC DOES SOMEONE USE TO RELAX?

Classical? Remember, I'm sixteen years old.
Pop? Nope
R&B? Nope
Some soft rock or country? Yep

...Just kidding, country sucks

Whatever sort of music you immediately imagined me listening to, I am pretty damn sure that it wasn't metal (Unless you know me personally). Hell, if you're over 40, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't even know what I'm talking about, or if you THINK that you know what I'm talking about but are really hopelessly ignorant. The truth is, few people consider metal a viable genre of music. Next time the opportunity arises, ask someone what type of music they listen to. Many people, when asked this question, will respond with something along these lines:

"I listen to everything"

For example, when I went to San Diego a few months ago, I was asked by a member of the family we were staying with what sort of music I liked. She wanted to put on some music, and since I was the guest, she was going to let me choose from her selection of "pretty much everything". When I responded that I liked metal, I expected her to walk over to her speaker and put on some music of my preferred genre. Instead, she responded with an "oh..." and I realized what had happened.
In a similar incident, when I was staying in Hawaii with my family, I requested those with which we were rooming if I could put some of my music music on their awesome outdoor sound system. My mom discouraged me, but our host was intruiged. She asked what kind of music I listen to, and I responded, and when she didn't know what I was talking about, I clarified. By "a much harder, more aggressive version of rock" she thought I meant AC DC.

My own family, as they live with me, is more savvy about this than most people. My brother, for instance, is one of those people who can HONESTLY say that he listens to every genre of music, from country to classical to metal to pop to rap, etc. My father, however, and to a degree, my brother, no matter how many times I tell them, are unable to accept one simple fact.

Metal helps me relax

I know, right? Metal is this AGGRESSIVE, MEAN, LOUD form of music. How could that possibly make someone relax? The answer is simple: I find the music beautiful. And if you would just go ahead and listen to it, I wouldn't be surprised if you did too. Metal takes an enormous amount of skill to play, probably more than any genre of music with the possible exception of classical. Don't get me wrong, some of it is bad, but a hell of a lot of it is good.

I urge you, therefore, to experience this genre of music for yourself and tell me what you think.