I think a lot of it has to do with the roots of metal, and rock, which is mostly about cultural rebellion. Bucking authority and refusing to "fit in" with the brush-cuts and the button down shirts and shit. Every generation, rock and metal have evolved into something similar, yet distinct from what came before. From Elvis to The Doors, Led Zeppelin to Black Sabbath, Judas Priest to Motley Crue, and on into the many subgenres of metal, it's all a similarity of difference, of not doing what society tells you to do and to rock the fuck out and do your own thing. That sort of message resonates with people, not just hormone-driven teens but people of all ages, especially in the crazy times we live in.
I also got to thinking about how a lot of metalheads, and not just the ones I know personally, tend to be, if not out and out atheists, at least anti-religion. What was the correlation between the two? It couldn't be as simple as just giving a negative fuck about it, although that is a pretty good reason. I think that it stems from that core of rebellion that all metalheads have, of not conforming to a vision of "normality" just because it's what everyone else does.
Religion is the ultimate form of "The Man". Religion doesn't work if you don't give up your ability to reason and question. It depends on the total submission to higher authority, whether it be a fabricated god, a creepy old man in a funny hat, or angry mobs of fundies who want to burn down abortion clinics because they dare to do things that go against "god's" will. This submission is gained through fear for the most part, never through reason. The fear of Hell, of punishment, of ostracsim from the retard community, it's all used by this institution to keep the masses in line and paying at the offertory. How else are these priests going to be able to do nothing all day and still be able to buy shit?
Metal is the anti-religion, in my opinion. There are so many different kinds of metal, and instead of fighting over which is the best kind (like the different sects of Christianity do), all us metalheads just look at each other, say "fuck it", and get another round of brews. It attracts freethinkers, open-minded individuals who have seen the bullshit of conformity and the closed-minded sheeple mentality, and want no part of that garbage. It encourages people to break out and be different, no matter what.
I can honestly say that of all the people that I've met in my life, the absolute coolest, open-minded, sane and rational people have been metalheads. I'm talking about true metalheads, not the douchefarmers who go to an Unearth concert and just punch the shit out of people in the mosh pit, or some lame poser who has listened to St. Anger and thinks he's a Metallica fan. Even then, though, those people do build on the platform of rationality that Metal brings. Maybe that guy who listened to St. Anger will find out it's not that great and go find some of their old stuff and realize just how awesome true metal can be. Maybe that'll motivate him to push on with life and go invent something awesome like a steam-powered guitar or some shit. Who knows? The point is he's inspired by metal, and not repressed by it. Theists can't say the same. Metalheads don't buy into the bullshit lies of religion, like "be good and love god or else you'll burn in the fiery pit for eternity!" You know what lady, I'd rather rock the fuck out with my mates and live the only life I KNOW I get a chance at. Go fuck yourself.
I'm reminded of all the rallies against bands like KISS and Black Sabbath, picketing hordes of imbeciles claiming that it's the "Devil's music" and will erode the fabric of society. Funnily enough, a lot of them were Christian groups. They're still doing it today too. Sorry to say, but the only danger to the cohesion of modern society is religion, so take those signs and shove em up your stupid asses.
The best times I've ever had have been at various Metal shows, meeting all kinds of new people from all over, singing along over a tall frosty at the top of our lungs, throwin up the Horns and generally just having one hell of an awesome time. Hell, that'll happen at house parties I throw with Rock Band as the main form of entertainment (apart from the booze) and music. It brings people together in a GOOD way, in a way that religion never can and never will. Seriously, Bibles for Haiti? Really? I'm sure those are of a great comfort to starving homeless people, you whitebread retarded jackasses.
Nothing can kill The Metal. The Metal will live on. March on Metallians! Spread the awesomeness of Modern Music! FOR METALLL!!!
Death is only the beginning...
