Seen: Baby Rocks Out

Seen: Baby Rocks Out

Apr 08

Before you read this post, watch this video.

I resent the fact that no one introduced me to metal at an early age. Despite having musically inclined parents, and generally cool older siblings, I was devoid of any head-banging guidance. Left to my own angsty devices, I did eventually discover the likes of Slayer and Burzum — but not before an entire era of embarrassingly earnest devotion to NSync.

Imagine my envy upon receiving the link to this video (thanks Lena). This tiny baby crying his little lungs out is suddenly quieted by nothing other than Satyricon, a black metal band from Norway. I’m jealous, but I’m not surprised.

I’ve fallen asleep at many a thrash metal band practice. There’s something soothing about the loudness; it’s so big and palpable that nothing else can exist in its presence — not your wandering thoughts, not your worries, not your wet diaper. Utter peace, but at a higher decibel than most are probably used to.

Now, I’m not advocating that we force our children to listen to Scandinavian gutterals (Although can you imagine? Kids forgoing the hand motions of the Itsy Bitsy Spider for sneering and corpse paint instead?). I’m saying not all of us are partial towards the twinkling of little stars.

Open doors for your children, especially to the arts! Encourage them to discover what they like by showing them what’s out there; learn together. You’ll raise an open-minded and well-rounded human being, and who knows, you might even discover the secret recipe for a successful nap in the meantime.

by Pauline Lacanilao