Rage Rooms and Metal

Introduction

Violence is never the solution, but releasing suppressed emotions through controlled physical outlets can be surprisingly therapeutic. Picture yourself in a room filled with old TVs, glass bottles, worn-out furniture, holding a bat. Adrenaline rushes through your veins with loud metal music blasting through the air. You take a swing, and the satisfying crash of shattered glass objects resonates in your ears like a melody of liberation. All your repressed academic stress, parental pressure, or even hatred shatters with the swing of a bat following the dying process of broken furniture.

What Are Rage Rooms?

Rage Rooms, which initially grew as a trend to release suppressed emotions, is a concept created by employees to ‘blow off some steam’ due to work pressure. The participants are equipped with protective gear and are sent into a room to proceed with smashing given objects.

During the Great Recession in 2008, Japan introduced the first official rage room, aptly named 'The Venting Place.' Although now closed, this concept spread worldwide providing people with opportunities to release emotions a civilised person could or would never do in public. In 2018, hundreds of rage rooms began to operate across the US. 

Hugo, a 24-year-old retail salesman from Dallas, who asked that his last name not be used, paid $45 for 15 minutes inside the Anger Room and said it was worth every penny. "I can't afford a psychiatrist, but I can afford this," he said, as he crushed a large TV with a baseball bat. ( By ABC News May 10, 2012)

The Role Of Music: Why Heavy Metal?

Initially, Rage Rooms started without using background music. However, studies have later shown that the psychological effect of combining hard metal and a rage room can catalyze someone who wishes to feel the temporary, but worthwhile, sense of emotional catharsis. People commonly describe a sensation of "lightness" after smashing objects, as if releasing pent-up frustrations. The addition of loud, aggressive music enhances this effect by aligning with the emotional intensity of the activity, making the release feel deeper and more connected to their inner state​. Psychology 

Today; Turtle Verse

Contrary to popular belief, the serving catalyst of heavy metal can also have a calming effect, especially on teenagers and young adults. The similarity between the participants’ emotions and the lyrical concepts of heavy metal can often bring a sense of understanding to its listeners. This creates greater feelings of relief and liberation for the users after their rage room sessions.

Personal Feedback

After leaving rage rooms many participants feel a great sense of relief or even empowerment over their own emotions, one stating ‘I had a good experience. I think we only did 15min. I got an adrenaline rush but also felt like I released a lot of pent-up anger. I felt more at ease afterward. I suggest getting into it by playing some rage-y music and doing it with a friend.’

Cautions

While rage rooms and heavy metal music can offer stress relief, participants should be mindful of their emotional limits. Rage rooms and heavy metal music is a rather personal experience for people and the results can vary greatly. Excessive release can sometimes lead to heightened frustration rather than alleviating it. It's essential to recognize that this alternative is not a substitute for professional mental health support.

References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/; https://abcnews.go.com/; 

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/; https://turtleverse.com/; 

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/; https://www.reddit.com/;