Wow! What a revelation to hear so many ideas that I thought were mine alone repeated over and over by the participants of Mr. Arnett's study. I must admit that I'm only a lowly marketing researcher, but I don't see any glaring errors in his methodology. He never said metalheads were a unique group or the only adolescents with problems OR that there weren't outliers in the real world.

I enjoyed the book immensely, especially the profiles. As I was reading it I just kept saying, "Hey that's exactly what I used to say!" I am/was a metalhead, I played in countless bands in my teens and early 20s and now I'm 34 and just received my Iron Maiden Powerslave enhanced CD in the mail a week ago. I lived for music, Heavy Metal and Punk. I slamdanced all the time, went to endless concerts, played endless concerts, had hair down to my arse, owned a collection of concert t-shirts and ripped jeans, and even wore spandex at some point. But unlike most of the people in the study, I was straight edge, got good grades and had many friends (including girl friends). To clash with another of Arnett's theories, my household was the model for hyper individualism but my parents added to that a spark of integrity that made all the difference. I did whatever I wanted to, but always kept in mind the effect it would have on others.

This book covered all the major points I would have made if I had written it when I was 15.

1) Hair bands and bands that write about sex and partying are not Heavy Metal.
2) Many heavy metal musicians are extremely talented.
3) The world sucks and everyone has their heads up their bums.
4) Listening to loud music and slamdancing are great ways to burn off steam.

Thanks Mr. Arnett, I wish I would have found this book when it first came out. ( )