I found this recent study, examining the effects of death metal on listeners; both fans and non-fans. The results are fascinating, and indicate that the music will generally elicit two polar opposite responses. Here's the abstract:
This rings true in my personal experience. Death metal is simultaneously an acquired taste (I took a while to get to where I'm at today), and also a style of music that most people simply won't "get," no matter how much they listen to it (although they might gain appreciation for certain elements). A song that I can find exciting, interesting, intricate etc. could repulse and disgust somebody else. I've been sharing a lot of music with a friend of mine lately, and he's been a remarkably good sport about it. He's what the study--and I--would classify as a non-fan of death metal: he finds it jarring and unpleasant, if not outright scary and/or repulsive. Although he's gained an appreciation for it that he didn't have before, he's probably one of those people who just won't really "get it," due to his personality. Kudos to him for giving it a shot, though.
This rings true in my personal experience. Death metal is simultaneously an acquired taste (I took a while to get to where I'm at today), and also a style of music that most people simply won't "get," no matter how much they listen to it (although they might gain appreciation for certain elements). A song that I can find exciting, interesting, intricate etc. could repulse and disgust somebody else. I've been sharing a lot of music with a friend of mine lately, and he's been a remarkably good sport about it. He's what the study--and I--would classify as a non-fan of death metal: he finds it jarring and unpleasant, if not outright scary and/or repulsive. Although he's gained an appreciation for it that he didn't have before, he's probably one of those people who just won't really "get it," due to his personality. Kudos to him for giving it a shot, though.
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