I am 21, yes. I didn't grow up with metal mostly, I was always around pop, rap, country, hymns here and there, but later in life when I was about 11 or 12, I began to turn on the radio, and as I checked out the stations I heard a rock station. Now, back then I didn't listen to lyrics much or care what they mean usually unless they were love songs of romance, I normally just loved the sounds. So, when I heard rock, the guitars just got to me like whoa! Then overtime, I heard metal and when I heard them scream it caught my attention as it was like music I never heard before. Then the next part is a long sad story, if you want to know the story send me a message and I'll tell you, but basically i was very emotional and had feelings like being sad, angry, and such. And as I did start paying attention to lyrics, that became the kind of songs I only listened to- ones that have great sounds but always must relate to my feelings and passionate desires. So, metal became my favorite genre from the screaming feelings i had inside and the beat helped me calm down and sounded cool. The lyrics helped as they matched my feelings. Well, over years, long story, i was saved being 18. Then I began to dislike and feel uncomfortable with many things like songs with cursing and sexual stuff, so i began to dislike most of them for their lyrics yet i still love the sound. But then i heard there was Christian metal and such, so i checked it out and found some. Yet, as i did, my family, brother and such said it was not of God. Many people had their opinions and beliefs of music genre, but over the years i noticed, not all Christian music of any genre is always Christ-like. So, now that i have a Christlike heart with him living in me, the Holy Spirit tends to tell me what to listen to and not what to, yet sometimes my ears/flesh still wants to hear the sound. Here is my opinion on it basically; If the Lord doesn't like what it sings about or despises of it, then don't listen to it because he only wouldn't do which is sinful, so we shouldn't either. Even if metal or any other music, christian or not isn't sinful- if it is making you further from being Christ-like and good, or making you upset then don't listen to those. Now, lets say your children or others around you dont like it or disagree, then just dont play it around them. I always had to wear headphones all the time, i never ever use a speaker because people would think devils are flying out of them as the vocalist screams. Some say metal has screaming like someone evil, i said to them singing "Jesus loves me, this i know." or even sang their favorite song from hymns in a screaming or deep voice, i asked them "does that make it evil while i still sing the same songs you sing?" heh. they try to disagree, but it seems senseless just because of the tone of voice or how they sound. So for now, i wouldnt say its all wrong, surely all of it isnt good, but just listen to what brings you closer to being Christlike and not further away from being like the Lord. Thats what is a question we can ask ourselves about anything.
