Listening to 'extreme' music makes you calmer not angrier

Research showed that listening to metal music relaxed participants as effectively as sitting in silence.

Becca Frankland

Date published: 22nd Jun 2015

Image: Black Sabbath

A study has shown that listening to chaotic and loud music such as heavy metal "regulated sadness and enhanced positive emotions", despite the aggressive connotations that have long been linked with the genre. 

It is more commonly associated with headbanging, moshpits and the worship of the devil, but research by the University of Queensland has shown that types of "extreme" music (for example, Megadeth's heavy metal track below) can encourage calmness rather than anger. 

The study focused on heavy metal, emo, screamo and punk and 39 regular listens of this 'extreme' music and the results showed that "The music helped them explore the full gamut of emotion they felt, but also left them feeling more active and inspired."

If you fancy feeling calm this summer, check out our rock festivals

[Via The Guardian]