headbang

Thrash your skull

To headbang is to shake the head rhythmically and violently to heavy music, typically metal or hard rock.

The motion ranges from nodding vigorously to whipping the head in full circles.

As a noun, a headbang is an instance of this: The song's breakdown triggered a massive headbang from the crowd.

Headbanging emerged from 1970s metal culture and remains a signature expression of intense musical engagement.

music

mosh

Chaotic crowd collision dancing

thrashBeat violently or defeat utterly
metalHard conductive solid
concertLive musical performance

riff · guitar · amplifier · distortion · pit · hardcore · shred · breakdown · double bass · whammy

movement

nod

Brief head tilt

whipStrikes or aerates
shakeTrembling or blended treat
hairFibrous scalp covering

swing · rhythm · neck · tempo · beat · bounce · sway · jerk · motion · momentum

injury

whiplash

Neck injury from jerking

strainExcessive stretching force
sorenessTender, painful sensation
headacheCranial pain

dizziness · concussion · neck pain · muscle · sprain · stiffness · vertebrae · cervical · damage · fatigue

Categories

Hair MetalMotley Crue, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Ratt, Cinderella
rock musicrock band, electric guitar, guitar solo, guitar riff, guitar riffs
body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
Dubstepsub bass, Skrillex, Nero, bass drop, riddim

Opposites

intensity of movement to music

headbangstand still

Cease all movement

slow dance · waltz · float · drift

musical culture/attitude

headbangpolite applause

Restrained, dutiful clapping

easy listening · lounge · ballroom dancing

musical culture/genre association

headbangwaltz

Dance in three-quarter time

ballroom dance · line dance · two-step · mosh · pirouette

Family

headbanger, headbanging, headbangs, headbanged

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G