I’m a metalhead, so I don’t really pay attention to lyrics. I still don’t know the lyrics to some of my favorite songs ten years later. For me, the vocalist is just another instrument, most of the time I can’t even understand what people are screaming about, especially when it’s in another language. But even though I don’t understand it, I rarely find myself going out of my way to read the lyrics.

I’m not really into other genres like rap where the lyrics and flow are in the spotlight. I’ve heard people praise rap lyrics, but honestly, I’ve never heard any cringier lyrics and god-awful rhymes. At least metal lyrics are more abstract and filled with metaphors, compared to rap’s more concrete and straightforward approach. It has fewer words per song, but I find them more meaningful. I don’t pay attention to lyrics, but it’s hard not to with rap since it’s right in your face.

Cradle of Filth is the only band I go out of my way to read the lyrics, Dani Filth is my favorite lyricist. For me, his lyrics are the most important part while the music is quite average and takes the backseat.

I don’t care about what metal lyrics are about, they can praise satan, praise god, talk about murder, protest the war, talk about global warming, even write all their lyrics about vikings, pirates, or slugs for all I care (cue Amon Amarth, Alestorm, and Slugdge).