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Coffee Break

9:30 Coffee Break: Rock that Anger Out

Metallica performing at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.
Metallica performing at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.Tony B - Creative Commons

by Jill Riley and Sean McPherson

June 25, 2015

Earlier this morning, we shared information from a recent study that concluded punk and metal music actually calms you down; this conclusion is contrary to the long-held belief that hardcore music causes anger.

Dr. Genevieve Dingle and honors student Leah Sharman at the University of Queensland in Australia focused on heavy metal, emo, hardcore, punk, screamo and the various other subgenres featured in the category of "extreme" music. Using music as part of the research environment, Dingle and Sharman looked into the emotions of 39 regular listeners of extreme music, ages 18 to 34. "We found the music regulated sadness and enhanced positive emotions," Sharman says. "Results showed levels of hostility, irritability and stress decreased after music was introduced, and the most significant change reported was the level of inspiration they felt."

So we decided perhaps we all need some music to help us work through any anger we might be feeling.

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that help you process your anger? Send us your requests.

Songs Played


Motörhead "Ace of Spades"
Hole "Violet"
Pantera "Walk"
Babes in Toyland "Dust Cake Boy"
Suicidal Tendencies "Institutionalized"
Rage Against the Machine "Bulls on Parade"

Do you deserve a Coffee Break? We at The Current's Morning Show think you do, and we want to bring treats from Black: Coffee and Waffle Bar to your workplace. Let us know why you'd like a Coffee Break.