So before I get into it, obviously 'emo' stands for 'emotive hardcore' right? We're all human beings, which means we all have emotions, so technically we're all emo, lol.. Anyways, there's this stereotype of people that listen to metal and post-hardcore music to be labeled as 'emo'/'scene'. Maybe not so much these days, but it's definitely still out there. I know that music doesn't label people. People label people, but I can't help but ignore the fact that being labeled is a part of music and life in general. I don't choose how the cookie crumbles :s
I don't dress in tight jeans with long styled black hair. I don't have piercings and stuff like that, so I don't consider myself to look 'emo' at all, but I'm really into metalcore, post-hardcore, and pretty heavy music. After listening to this stuff for years, I've come to realize that a lot of the lyrics are about over coming your problems / fears and starting a new. Not caring what other's think about you and finding hope to not give up. It's very basic cliche stuff (I know), but now I know what people mean when they say "music has saved my life". I guess this explains why a lot of depressed and anxious people turn to this music as an escape from reality. To find something they can relate to. This is where the label 'emo' comes in.
The music isn't only emotional and touching lyrically, but also astonishingly catchy and very thought out instrumentally. A lot of these musicians have talent, and some of the stuff they do makes it seem like it's another language to me. Metal has a lot of advanced technical beats and riffs which are sometimes complicated which tends to take my mind off things and just appreciate what's coming into my ears. I just can't explain my love for metal. It's just beautiful and can't be put into words, and I don't expect someone that hasn't actually 'felt' music before to understand..
I listen to a bunch of different genres as well including electro, chillstep, and some indie rock, although heavy is my favorite genre. I started listening to heavy stuff ever since the start of middle school. I don't feel like I even had hardships back then, but I just got into it somehow. I just can't seem to grasp onto mainstream stuff. I don't understand how people can listen to the stuff on everyday national radio. I don't want to sound like a hypocrite here and label people that listen to 'mainstream music', but it sounds so basic and mindless. No creativity what so ever, and very repetitive content. All mainstream songs are just about sex, drugs, partying, and relationship break-ups. Most of them don't even write their own music. Where's the meaning in that? I feel like the media is brainwashing younger teens which is really screwing up today's society. I don't want to get too deep into that topic since it might be offense to some fans of mainstream, so I apologize if that offended you.
Anyways, back to the root of the question. Maybe I've been in some rough patches in life, and maybe this type of music makes me feel a lot better. I just enjoy it and don't know how to explain it correctly. Does this mean I'm an 'emo'? I definitely feel different from others considering that none of my friends listen to this stuff (Not that I have a lot of friends in the first place). It's all about hip-hop and pop these days. Makes me sad and feel alone sometimes, but I refuse to change who I am to fit in the crowd :( Let me know your opinions as I am very curious! Thanks for taking the time to read this. You rock! \m/T_T\m/