Here is a Gears of Rock exclusive on the Top 10 Misconceptions of Metalheads. This list contains 10 characteristics that are NOT necessary in order to be a hardcore fan of hard rock and/or heavy metal.

#1  You Do Not Need Long Hair To Prove That You Are Metal – Short hair is totally acceptable. You can be clean cut and well put-together to listen to Slayer.

#2  You Do Not Need A Tattoo To Prove That You Are Metal – Tattoos are cool, but you do not need Iron Maiden to be permanently etched into your cranium.

#3  You Do Not Need A Goatee To Prove That You Are Metal – Chin pubes are a thing of 1991, completely unnecessary today…leave it for the hipsters.

#4  You Do Not Need To Wear Denim And/Or Leather To Prove That You Are Metal – Rob Halford is the Metal God, do not even try to elevate yourself to his status by dressing like him, very dangerous…instead it is okay to opt for plaid shorts and a polo shirt if that’s your thing.

#5  You Do Not Need To Ride A Motorcycle To Prove That You Are Metal – See #4

#6  You Do Not Need To Be Stupid To Prove That You Are Metal – You can go to college and read books, and still be metal. Just don’t become a hyper liberal or extreme conservative, nobody wants to hear your position on fracking, abortion, or diarrhea.

#7  You Do Not Need To Be A Lonely Male To Prove That You Are Metal – You can have many friends, and even friends of the opposite sex. Not all true metalheads are creepy introverts. And get this…girls can love metal too without becoming groupies.

#8  You Do Not Need To Mosh To Prove That You Are Metal – If you want to sit back and chill at a heavy metal concert then do so. You do not need to shave your head, slap on some boots, and create a wall of death to prove that you love the band on stage. Nothing wrong with clapping.

#9  You Do Not Need To Smoke Drugs To Prove That You Are Metal – If you need to get lit to enjoy metal, then this music isn’t for you. Instead, Google “Skrillex” immediately.

#10  You Do Not Need To Hate Everything Not Metal To Prove That You Are Metal – You can be a metalhead and still enjoy other music.  It is okay to enjoy other genres like classic rock, punk, jazz, pop, and even…(gasp) rap.

Also… You Do Not Need To Agree With Everything That Eddie Trunk Says To Prove That You Are Metal, You Do Not Need To Like Everything On The Liquid Metal Playlist To Prove That You Are Metal, You Do Not Need To Be A Dick To People To Prove That You Are Metal, You Do Not Need To Like At Least One Band That Wears Corpse Paint To Prove That You Are Metal…