Hi Jonny,

Coming from someone who is also a Metallica fan, you should feel no shame about that. A lot of people scrutinize heavy metal, but mainly because they look at those of us who listen to it as satanic and aggressive. They don’t see the real person usually. I was a lot like you were in high school, very wrapped up into music and guitar. I had a small circle of friends, and I got made fun of not because I liked heavy metal, but because I was quiet and apparently that made me seem weird or strange to others. Anyone who judges you and makes fun of you that much because a band you like should really not matter to you at all. Their opinion is crap and they are so shallow im sure that type of person made fun of almost everyone they came across to feel better about their own issues. Its easier said than done, but its a lot easier for you as a person to not let anything they said affect you which gives you the power if you try to move past it eventually. Also never be ashamed for doing something that you like to do such as playing guitar, writing lyrics and playing video games. Happiness can come from within. Ive learned to stop externalizing my happiness and the world is a much better place for me. Do things for yourself because YOU want to do them, not because what other people might think or how you will be judged. It takes a while, and its still a long process for me, but I promise if you focus less on where you have been and focus more on the present and where you want to be things will get better. It just takes time.

Hope this helps a bit,

Zach