The Heavy Metal Experience

I am not a music expert by any means. But I am the kind of person who can enjoy almost any type of music.

I’ve always loved slightly heavy music but I’d never been to a heavy metal concert before. Mostly because none of my friends listen to the same music as me, and if they do, it’s heavier than I can handle.

This past week I went to my first heavy metal concert and it was definitely an experience. I went to see Bullet for My Valentine, with Escape the Fate, Black Tide, and Drive A opening for them. All of which, put on an amazing show, by the way.

In all honesty, I was afraid. Not because of the stereotypes, but because of the moshing and the violence that comes with it. At 5’3” I feared that I would get stepped on and that it would ruin the concert for me.

Wow, was I wrong.

Heavy Metal is an experience on its own, and in person it takes you over. The Sound Academy in Toronto is the perfect place to experience it. No seats. No bleachers. Just an empty floor crammed with as many people as humanly possible. Your body is shoved up against everyone around you. You are touching parts of people you would not normally touch, and it’s okay.

Once the music starts the crammed atmosphere makes sense. You sway with everyone else as one big group. Pushing and shoving isn’t rude, its common courtesy.

As the riffs get louder and the growls get deeper, the crowd gets rowdier. The music is so loud that you can barely hear. Between sets your ears are ringing. The pushing is harder. The fists are flying. Jumping up and down and shoving friends becomes a dance move. People float over you on the hands of other concertgoers, otherwise known as crowd surfing.

Moshing isn’t dangerous. It’s fun.

Everyone should experience at least one metal concert in their life! If you're brave enough, check this video to prepare!

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