I usually just explain that music is art, and that art is subjective. I never argue with anyone who outright insults me. They're looking for a reaction and they won't get it from this little lady.

I don't care, and if people are claiming all metal is satanic and evil, I ask them to check out the lyrics before saying such things. As a metalhead, you are doomed to get these dumb and annoying comments, metal is definitely not the genre most of people are listening to

I just laugh, and occasionally argue; however as a musician i am often able to squash any notions that it is a talentless genre. I may pick up a guitar (if i have access to one) and blind them with lightning fast but precise and technical riffs, then top it with a solo, it usually shuts them up. Or if they talk shit about metal vocals and say anybody can do it, I will usually do about 4 or 5 types of metal vocals then tell them to do it; they never can. People don't realize that it has taken over 10 years of daily practice to be able to do these things, I can usually at least get people to acknowledge that metal isn't as "easy" to play as they once thought.

I get comments like "you can't even understand what they're saying" which I respond with "I can, actually. Maybe you can't, but I know what the guy is saying." I also hear stuff like, "it's evil," or "it sounds like the demons," or "it sounds like the devil's music." Which I'm totally cool with. I'm totally not cool with people calling my death metal "screamo" music, though. Not only do they probably not know what screamo even is (hell, I didn't either until someone on this site kindly educated me in the matter), but death metal is completely different--nothing at all like the typical uneducated depiction of what screamo music is.

I say 'that's your opinion and you are entitled to say that, just as I am entitled to not give a shit'.

I start sobbing uncontrollably. Sometimes I say something brave and confrontational like "You take that back right now, you big meanie!"

It makes non sense speaking to insects, they won't understand what you're saying. It's the same with most of the people, they just don't get it... so I just don't care.

"Ok whatever you say". I generally don't care when people insult my music tastes. Most of time I'm thinking that there own music tastes aren't any better, most likely worse than whatever I listen. But also there pretty much just expressing there own opinion.

I laugh.
And then I laugh some more.

Easy, insult their taste in music. Get into an argument for while. Then start acting like you won (because they're obviously dumb) and tell em' fuck off.

Well, because I live in Australia, my family/friends dont hardly know what metal is, (except me). So first thing they say is "what country are they singing from" or "how can you listen to Finnish/swedish music?" I just say its sounds awesome in that language.

I just shrug it off if they insult, but I counter back and say what you are listening to is generic money making crap called "pop" music these days, the beibers, one directions, gagas etc. At least most metal bands aren't in this business for fame, its their personal experience to give to the listener proper music, which sadly there's not enough recognition for.

I can't remember the last time someone actually downright insulted me about my taste in music, but if it happens I guess I'll just give them the "Any artform is subjective"-line. Then if they don't understand or become straight-out mean, I guess I'd ask them to just take a step back and think about what they're trying to achieve by this and ask them about the mechanisms behind what they're doing. Pulling out the "psychology"-bullshit (lol) catches people off-guard and most of the time it works too.

Usually i just ignore them or just laugh, i dont tend to give any explanations because people that insults my music are very closed mind so it doesnt worth it, but i wont denied that sometimes is annoying that people stares at you with dumb face when im listening music or when im wearing some band t-shirt. ¬¬

Looking back, it was immature to make a thread on a topic as trivial as what others think of your taste. Haters gonna hate.

^^^ very true!

I don't get that criticism too often...probably because nowadays you wouldn't be able to tell I listen to metal by looking at me. (I'm usually in shorts and a tank top...I live in Florida. Or if I'm at work, I got on my uniform.) Most people are shocked when they ride in my car and that's when I get the reactions. I always think it's hilarious. I get that most people don't like it but it's been quite a long time since someone outright insulted my music tastes. That's a bit immature. Everyone has their own tastes and hey, it's cool.

I find it pretty hilarious when people thing they can turn up their nose when I tell them I like certain genres. Usually, I'm able to school them when they suggest a much "superior genre" considering that my musical tastes are so varied (Classical, Jazz, Blues, Indie, Folk, Post-Rock, you name it). I had somebody try to bring up much more "intelligent" indie music in response to my love of Judas Priest, and shocked them when I mentioned the likes of Pixies, Pavement, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, etc. The look on their face knowing that they can't talk down to me because of my musical tastes...priceless.

Other than that, I usually just laugh it off. I'm confident in my musical tastes, and usually can conquer any genre that is thrown my way. Besides, music snobs in general I find amusing at best.

I get far more compliments on my musical taste than criticism. I don't remember the last time someone actually told me that my taste in music sucked.

Im an introvert and bought up as a really nice kid.. so at the most i can only smile and evade the topic but inside im burning hot in fury. fuck my introversion

I´d say most people compliment my taste in music... How I react when others talk shit about metal sort of depends on my mood though. I might tell them to fuck off, but I usually just don´t care or feel sorry for them. Afterall, they´re the ones who are missing out on something.

Well kinda helpless and don't know what to respond to such people because I know anyway they just won't understand and it would be waste of my breath to discuss what I'm listening to and why I'm listening to,whatever scientific explanation I bring to them,they just deny and go on with their nonsenses,so helplessly I watch as they insult my taste

Written by angel. on 29.09.2013 at 22:35

Well kinda helpless and don't know what to respond to such people because I know anyway they just won't understand and it would be waste of my breath to discuss what I'm listening to and why I'm listening to,whatever scientific explanation I bring to them,they just deny and go on with their nonsenses,so helplessly I watch as they insult my taste

You know what i do?


I insult their parents. Best possible way to get out and walk off.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 29.09.2013 at 23:06


You know what i do?


I insult their parents. Best possible way to get out and walk off.

how about if they're your own family members or relatives,or how about they're your supervisor at work,or a teacher at school, sigh !

Well, to start with, Metal is indeed a sonically violent and has a somewhat if not a heavily repulsive nature compared to other forms of music. So people's initial reactions declaring this as completely devoid of any musical value have never ever surprised me.

I actually gave a few friends of mine who ridiculed me listening to metal, a challenge of listening to Gnaw Their Tongue's debut. They were pretty amazed of the existence of such genre and I felt like I fucking opened their eyes to the existence of it. It felt good. Well that to the people who at least have the enthusiasm/curiosity to learn what is behind all my craziness of a person listening to something so weird. To the rest of the judgement fuckheads who are so assertive as to nag or annoy you about your musical taste, I prefer to just throw some wall of flaming shit at them.

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 29.09.2013 at 23:06

Written by angel. on 29.09.2013 at 22:35

Well kinda helpless and don't know what to respond to such people because I know anyway they just won't understand and it would be waste of my breath to discuss what I'm listening to and why I'm listening to,whatever scientific explanation I bring to them,they just deny and go on with their nonsenses,so helplessly I watch as they insult my taste

You know what i do?


I insult their parents. Best possible way to get out and walk off.

Thats kind of a last option really, imo.

People don't say a word to me. I could be wearing a Possessed shirt with an upside down cross on it and I don't get bothered in public. Maybe it's because I am 6'4 and 350 lbs and they know I'll smash their face in

Written by metalpeer on 29.09.2013 at 23:51

and they know I'll smash their face in

Do me a favor: walk with me in hell and smash all the other asses insulting my taste instead of me !

I just fucking do not care if they say something like: how could you enjoy this? or "it is annoying" but when someone says that what I listen to is not music (which happens a lot) I response like this: fuck music.

Written by mz on 30.09.2013 at 00:32

I just fucking do not care if they say something like: how could you enjoy this? or "it is annoying" but when someone says that what I listen to is not music (which happens a lot) I response like this: fuck music.

but I really want to bring some logic to this issue I mean every time I try explain it very rationally with scientific descriptions not only my own personal opinions on how it sounds and things like that,the thing is that such people are so uneducated and so unwilling to even listen one word of what I was trying to imply,to be such stiff toward new things seem to be the most repeating theme of all ages ,but it gets more highlighted in more undeveloped societies !

Written by angel. on 30.09.2013 at 00:37

Written by mz on 30.09.2013 at 00:32

I just fucking do not care if they say something like: how could you enjoy this? or "it is annoying" but when someone says that what I listen to is not music (which happens a lot) I response like this: fuck music.

but I really want to bring some logic to this issue I mean every time I try explain it very rationally with scientific descriptions not only my own personal opinions on how it sounds and things like that,the thing is that such people are so uneducated and so unwilling to even listen one word of what I was trying to imply,to be such stiff toward new things seem to be the most repeating theme of all ages ,but it gets more highlighted in more undeveloped societies !

I have tried to explain my taste logically but some people are too arrogant to accept that others might actually like sth as unusual as metal. It is not just about uneducated people. Most of the time, others think that I am listening to metal in order to receive attention and that is just extremely funny: I do not even have ever wore a metal T-shirt and most of other metal fans I've came across said that they could not believe that I a listen to metal, because of my appearance. Some people just does not like my taste, some insult it and some even dare to judge my intentions. I can go along the first group but that's it. Generally, I do not care about what others which are not my close friends think about me. I'm not living to give explanations to the others

Written by mz on 30.09.2013 at 00:49


that others might actually like sth as unusual as metal. It is not just about uneducated people.

I can go along the first group but that's it. Generally, I do not care about what others which are not my close friends think about me. I'm not living to give explanations to the others

well well the exact thing I always tried to explain was that metal is not unusual at all

and sometimes it gets so intolerable that I preferred to go on living without anyone close to me in terms of relationships, friendships or etc... nah I don't mean that I ignore people, I rather spend more time on my own than having a bunch of open jaws bashing on my taste with no drop of respect around,I even sometimes pity myself to be in such situation, but anyway I choose to be alone rather than to to push myself into any random crowd of ignorance.

BTW I don't mean that ignore anyone who is not into metal,nah ! It's just as long as they can respect different tastes I respect theirs too,in fact I respect everyone tastes regardless of what they bash on me,but still I rather to keep my distance,because if they want to start to go on with disrespecting with I like I just got overwhelmed by them helplessly.