When it comes to the specific, high-velocity world of extreme metal, a 2022 study suggests that the motivation is far less romantic and far more competitive.
According to research highlighted by the British fact-finding show QI, heterosexual men who master the complexities of extreme metal guitar are driven less by the desire for mating success and more by a need to assert dominance over other men.
The conversation was reignited after QI’s social media team shared a “truth-nugget” stating that “heterosexual men who learn to play extreme metal guitar are mostly motivated to do so in order to impress other heterosexual men.”
While the post sparked humorous debate online, it was rooted in actual academic research conducted by Tara DeLecce, Farid Pazhoohi, Anna Szala, and Todd K. Shackelford. The study, summarized on Psychnet, surveyed 44 heterosexual male guitarists to determine what drives the intense dedication required to play such technically demanding music.
The researchers began by outlining the traditional evolutionary theories regarding musical ability.
“There are two main competing hypotheses for the function of music: sexual selection or byproduct of the complexity of the human brain,” the study stated. “Although there is evidence that playing music increases male attractiveness, the sexual selection explanation may not be mutually exclusive to all types of music.”
The researchers argued that the specific demographics of the metal scene undermine the “sexual selection” theory. Because the genre is not traditionally a venue for meeting women, the utility of the music as a mating call is diminished.
“Extreme metal is a genre that is heavily male-biased, not only among the individuals that play this style of music, but also among the fans of the genre,” the study continued. “Therefore, it is unlikely that extreme metal musicians are primarily trying to increase their mating success through their music.”
If not for love, then why do metal musicians spend thousands of hours practicing sweep picking and blast beats? The study posits that the technicality itself is a weapon of social status—a way to assert hierarchy within the brotherhood of musicians.
“However, musicians in this genre heavily invest their time in building technical skills (e.g., dexterity, coordination, timing), which raises the question of the purpose behind this costly investment. It could be that men engage in this genre mainly for status-seeking purposes: to intimidate other males with their technical skills and speed and thus gain social status.”
To test this, the researchers looked at practicing habits and sexual behavior.
“To explore the reasoning behind investment in technical guitar skills, a sample of 44 heterosexual male metal guitarists was recruited and surveyed about their practicing habits…sexual behavior…and feelings of competitiveness toward the same sex.”
The results offered a fascinating distinction between different types of guitar playing. While strumming chords might indeed be a romantic strategy, playing fast is strictly a “bro” activity.
“The survey results indicated that time spent playing chords predicted desire for casual s*x with women whereas perceptions of playing speed positively predicted intrasexual competitiveness (a desire to impress other men).”
While the sample size of 44 is relatively small, the findings confirm what many in the mosh pit have long suspected: when a guitarist shreds at lightning speed, he isn’t trying to get a date—he’s trying to win a musical arms race against the other guys in the room.
