10 Things Only Old School Heavy Metal Fans Will Understand

One thing great Heavy Metal has typically been is socially responsible, and a large part of that includes protesting war and violence. It's not surprising - Ozzy Osbourne was hugely influenced by The Beatles and sought to continue their promotion of peace with his own sound. The result was one of the greatest Heavy Metal songs of all time, 1970's "War Pigs."

The Vietnam-era anthem criticises the politicians and decision-makers responsible for declaring wars while remain safely away from the fighting, and is the just the first of many anti-war metal songs. Metallica's "One," based on the book Johnny Got His Gun, tells the story of a World War I soldier who loses his arms, legs, and face, then prays for death. Motorhead's "1916" details a particularly deadly battle in World War I. There are many, many more.

Though some characterise Heavy Metal as violent, nothing could be further from the truth - metal, at it's best, has a message of which fans can be proud.