The Healing Gospel – The Songs That Helped Us

In case you weren’t aware, this weekend will bring an end to Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental health is something that is unfortunately rife within the music industry, as we all know, great pain creates great art. Sometimes creating isn’t enough and there are countless tragic passings strewn across history, but for a lot of people, the music they listen is sometimes all they have. The editorial team at Distorted Sound are a group of such people and we all wanted to share some of our favourite songs that have helped us in turbulent times. It’s messy but it’s an individual message from each of us, and we hope it helps in some way.

BRUCE DICKINSON – Tears of the Dragon (1994) 

Depression is a right bastard; it can debilitate me horribly to the point I’m lying on my bed for hours without any sort of impetus to get up and go; music is an absolute lifesaver in this situation because it’s one of the few things that can really stir my heart and get me active again. Of all the songs though, Tears of the Dragon by BRUCE DICKINSON can not only get me going but also break me further, allowing me to cry out the pain and the darkness which, I find, is just as productive. A beautiful, sprawling ballad featuring IRON MAIDEN’s vocalist at his absolute best, it begins softly with acoustic guitars, builds to an epic, soaring chorus, contains a sumptuous heavier section with that famous MAIDEN gallop and ends as it starts. It’s easily the best song Dickinson ever wrote during his solo career and speaks to me in a way no other song does.

Words: Elliot Leaver

ZAKK WYLDE – Between Heaven and Hell (1996)

I first discovered this album when I was 12/13. I picked up the album in HMV and bought it on a whim, knowing I liked BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. When I listened to the album, I was surprised but I fell in love straight away. From the first moments of Between Heaven and Hell I was hooked, but I didn’t know how important it would become to me. One year I lost my Grandad and discovered my Aunt was dying within weeks of each other. Through the grief, like anything else, I put my headphones in and got lost in music. Book of Shadows came on, the first chords from Between Heaven and Hell poured out and for the first time I felt like a hand was holding mine. As time has gone on, I now suffer with several mental health issues. Depression, Anxiety, Health Anxiety, SAD and OCD. I’m not ashamed to say them out loud, I am very open and think that’s important. Some days are better than others, some days I want the world to just stop. It doesn’t matter what day it is though, the second I hear Between Heaven and Hell come on, I feel that same hand I felt almost 10 years ago. For the next 51 minutes, I have escaped. This song is the beginning of the world stopping around me for a short period of time, and for that I couldn’t be more thankful to Zakk Wylde. This song offers peace when my mind is chaos, and reminds me that music can heal.

PEARL JAM – Just Breathe (2009)

Sitting on a bus listening to Backspacer seven years ago, I thought my world was ending. I had my first anxiety attack in the middle of Birmingham city centre. I locked myself in the toilet of KFC. Goodness knows why, I just remember running into the first place I saw and locking myself away from the world. I thought I was dying, my heart was going to come out of my chest any second. After I had calmed down, I collected myself and instead of walking to college, I walked to the bus stop. I sat down and put my headphones in. I wanted to drown out every single person. I felt unsafe. I put on one of my favourite bands, PEARL JAM. Their song Just Breathe was on repeat for a lot of that journey. It calmed me, soothed me and assured me. In my emotional distress I found calm, and whenever this incredible song comes on now, I feel safe and able to get through whatever is coming my way.

Words: Jessica Howkins

My “go-to” song usually varies depending on what stage of the emotional spectrum I am experiencing in that moment but it is hard to look beyond Anti Life by HEART OF A COWARD. It’s pissed off, angry, groove ridden and gives you that necessary adrenaline rush to lift your spirits regardless of what you have endured.

Another band I always seem to gravitate towards when things are rough is DREAM THEATRE. If I ever need a fix of captivating vocals and spine tingling musicianship they always hit the mark. Their back catalogue is so extensive there is practically a song for every emotion. Whether it is the downright lunacy of The Test That Stumped Them All, the sentimentality of As I Am or the raw serenity of Hollow Years they will always hold a special place in my heart for being my gateway into progressive metal and being a band that I could always fall back on in difficult times.

If a little respite from the heavier side of things is required and the melancholic mood takes hold I can’t help but divert my gaze towards the beautifully fragile tones of Jon Crosby otherwise known as the frontman of VAST. His emotional struggles portrayed into an audible format are palpable and they have a cathartic if not depressing quality that have dragged me through various distressing events. Jon has the unique ability to immerse you in his delicate vulnerability bringing a plethora of emotion rising to the surface. Songs like Lost and I Thought By Now in particular are so passionately driven that is impossible not to become engrossed and drift along with the soothing instrumentation.

Through your life you will discover songs which resonate with you on a particular level that they can either build you up or break you down. Whether it is the lyrical content, a certain riff or emotion that the music evokes it can be a powerful tool to bring you through dark times. I have always found music to be a valuable resource as you can always find something to suit your mood no matter how high or how low you are feeling. Being able to have my favourite albums on a mobile device to take wherever I go is invaluable and I hope other people can also  find solace within the abundance of material available in this ever advancing technological age.

Words: Dan McHugh

In 2006, I came out of a toxic relationship. His speciality was mind games – rating girls in front of me being a frequent and favoured activity. I was bereft of self-esteem and verging on bulimic. But my two constants were my two best friends and music. And these went hand in hand as we all lived for it. There are three songs that will always take me back to that time. Cowboys From Hell by PANTERA and SLIPKNOT‘s Surfacing were the perfect middle finger to the bullshit. Those hot, dirty grooves and Dimebag’s riffs made me feel alive again and made me want to roast faces and dance on tables (which I did), whilst the opening 37 seconds of Surfacing set me on fucking fire – it absolutely raged – from those piercing guitar tones to Corey’s vitriolic cries – it just gets inside you. And finally, the wonderful Welcome to the Black Parade by MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. From those opening tinkling piano keys, to that section between 3:32 and 4:08 where the song builds to Gerard Way‘s closing war cry of “we carry on!” – its anthemic, people immediately smile when it drops at a clubnight and to this day, it always makes the hairs on the back of my neck, my arms and everywhere else stand on end.

At the start of this year, I would find myself ending a 10+ year relationship. To someone I still care terribly about. It had to be done for both our sakes, but the transition has been (and remains) incredibly difficult. And once again, music has served as my refuge and light when the darkness has gripped and refused to let me go. I will never forget sitting alone on my dad’s balcony in Spain back in February sobbing as The End Where We Start by THE BLACK QUEEN filled my ears. “And we are consumed, I found out it was you, And our hearts run true, With what we’re meant to do” – I’ve always loved this album, but I can’t even put into words how much those lyrics got to me at that moment. In all honesty, my eyes are filling with tears as I remember it and type these words. Yet I’d find myself listening to it constantly. It was like a catharsis. That whole song just surges with emotion – everything from the rich vocal lines to the bursts of powerful synths and utterly haunting melodies. It is as bleak as it is beautiful – I guess you could say that’s exactly what life can be like. I just know that when it’s thrown the worst kind of shit at me, music has always made it that little bit better. And for that I’ll always be grateful. It’s the greatest fucking thing ever.

Words: Sophie Maughan

STICK TO YOUR GUNS – D(I Am)ond (2012)

This song meant a lot to me when I was at my worst. Jesse Barnett screaming words the resonated with how I felt and with the same anger and pain I felt at the time. The lyrical themes of accepting the dichotomy of life was something I needed to hear, and even now it offers a fantastic 90 seconds of reflection in times of genuine struggle. This song helped myself develop an acceptance of pain as a necessary evil but one that everyone struggles with and is something to be controlled, not to be controlled by. ‘I am never concerned with what I am not’.

ALICE IN CHAINS – Nutshell (1994)

This song still makes me sad when I hear it. Understanding the commentary that Layne Stayley is making on his own life in this song makes it a heartbreaking listen and one to find some unlikely solace in. There’s comfort in having someone open up about their own struggles, and listening to Layne crooning about his ultimate struggle before he tragically passed is the most somber form of comfort around.

DEAFHEAVEN – Dream House (2013)

Everything about this song, from the lyrics and vocal delivery through to the vibe and tone, is an emotional ride. The beautiful guitar work is made up using the same black metal guitar work that creates some of the most horrifying music around, and the poetic lyrics are delivered with absolute wretched fury. The beauty in ugly things is the best lesson I’ve ever learnt from music and DEAFHEAVEN were my mentor in this case. The final, euphoric musical moments have elicited more emotion from me than almost any other song and it boasts enough speed and power to mesmerise and drown the demons in your head for 10 minutes of glorious respite.

Words: Eddie Sims 

SLIPKNOT – Gently (2001)

A lot of people would go through a state of low emotions, whether it is on a bad day, or even on a good day, or when you have the money or none. Even the most positive person can go through the darkest of emotions.

The song that keeps me in check through those emotions and to even feel true to the harsh times is SLIPKNOT’s Gently from Iowa. This had changed me for the better since discovering it when I was fifteen years old. It was those sounds that helped me from a suicide attempt that could have been successful at that age. I played the song when I realised my mum is not here. It was even used as the basis for an Art project that lead me to take up photography. It’s the sounds of hidden rage coming into light acts as realisation of my mentality that has helped me. It’s a song with such deep catharsis that I owe a lot to. Because of this song, it’s given me the glimmer of hope to the path ahead no matter how hard it can be and never to be afraid of your feelings.

From that time, metal music has shaped me through my rebellion and I probably wouldn’t have survived life without it. I have a discography of metal songs that I can have a deep connection to. It’s given the many positives that probably never have happened. Times are changing when showing your mental health but I know more needs to be made about it. Never be afraid to slam those tracks to unleash your anger. Most importantly, please talk.

Words: Sabrina Ramdoyal

AGALLOCH  – Falling Snow (2006)

We all have songs that act as our vessel, the music we listen to release our feelings of anger, frustration, sadness and elation. That’s the beauty of music, the way it can make us experience the whole pallet of emotions, and that is something to be treasured. Above all else, we all have that ONE song that we pour our emotions into, that one song we listen to when no one else will, that one song that acts as our catharsis. For me, one instantly springs to mind, AGALLOCH‘s Falling Snow. From the simple but delicate leading guitar melody that instantly pulls you in to John Haughm‘s haunting whispered vocals, Falling Snow whisks me away and allows me to pour my emotions into it’s gorgeous soundscape. This is the song that allows me to release any feelings of sadness and it’s beautiful composition is something I treasure dearly.

STICK TO YOUR GUNS – We Still Believe (2012)

Motivation is something I struggle with a lot. The can-do attitude to pull myself out of bed and be productive in what I do is incredibly tough. Blame it on lack of sleep, lack of caffeine, whatever, but it’s something that really hinders my creative flare. Whilst I’ve made serious headway in regulating my sleeping pattern alongside my attitude towards my own work, I still struggle. Thinking back, this was at its worst when I was at university. With a sub-par course alongside other issues I had going on in my final year, the flames of my passion for writing about music was probably at the lowest they have ever been. That fear of people reading your work, or that niggling doubt that your own words are just regurgitated garbage? Those fears were crippling me at the time and there’s one song I can thank for pulling me up from the gutter and slapping me into action; STICK TO YOUR GUNS’ We Still Believe. The slick riffs, that gargantuan breakdown and Jesse Barnett’s poignant lyrics really struck a chord in me. That song gave me the fire back to drive forward and believe in myself and my abilities and since then, well, I haven’t really looked back.

Words: James Weaver

It’s a varied selection, but people find solace and strength in different things. Find what suits you and make it work. Mental health is something we all need to start talking about more, and we hope this at least gives you some music to seek refuge in during the tough times. If things get really bad, don’t hesitate to call the numbers below, they want to help.

Samaritans: 116 123 (UK) /116 123 (ROI)

PAPYRUS UK: 0800 068 41 41