At the start of 11th grade it became my ritual: I’d wake before dawn to the roar of a power chord instead of an alarm and draw that first line of black eyeliner before morning announcements.

Growing up in a small town, Sunday mornings meant church hymns and family gatherings. But by night, I found my own kind of worship in screaming guitar solos and pounding drums. There’s a spirit in heavy metal—an unshakeable faith in self-expression—and I made it my mission to share that gospel from Indiana to Iowa.

“My First Winged Cross”

I strapped on my amp and laced up my boots,

Rolled into the school gym—holy and brute.

Bright lights, blank faces, I felt like a dove,

‘Til I caught my reflection in the mirror above.

Black liquid prayers trailed from my eyes,

A winged cross for the soul to rise.

Ink on my eyelid, faith on my tongue—

I found my altar and church bells rung.

Cheers to the Future of Heavy Metal

Here’s to every kid who thinks “outsider” is a bad word—let it be your badge. We’ll keep the riffs raw, the message real, and the community tight-knit, from local school tours to the next generation headbangers.

10 Tips to Bring Heavy Metal Into Your Daily Grind

1. Morning Mantra – Swap your usual alarm for a lightning-fast metal riff to blast you out of bed.

2. Wardrobe Worship – Slip a studded bracelet or a discreet band tee under your jacket—carry your creed quietly but proudly.

3. Ink It Up – Make that first swipe of black eyeliner part of your daily routine—a small rebellion with big impact.

4. Coffee & Crescendos – Curate a “Metal Mix” for your commute: blend classics and underground bangers to fuel your drive.

5. Desk Décor – Deck out your workspace with guitar picks, mini-posters, or a tiny skull figurine—reminders of your passion.

6. Metal Meditation – During breaks, close your eyes and zone in on an instrumental solo to reset your mind.

7. Riff Reading – Keep a heavy-metal memoir or biography on your nightstand;

8. Kitchen Mosh – Turn meal prep into a performance—chop veggies to the beat of double-bass drums.

9. Community Chorus – Join local fan groups, record-store hangouts, or online listening parties to keep that scene alive.

10. Charity Chugs– Organize or support a metal-themed fundraiser—battle-of-the-bands for a cause so your faith in metal lifts others too.

Keep your spirit loud, your eyeliner sharp, and your future heavy. We do this for us—Midwestern souls baptized in distortion.

— Mitchell Royel

Holy Hammer & Heartland: My Black-Liner Baptism

Bathtubs, Yolk, and Nickelodeon Magic, My Unforgettable iCarly Debut

Divine Dance of Intellect and Intuition