Health and well-being in metal musicians: a scoping review

Introduction: Elite musicians face high risks of performance-related health problems, yet research mainly targets classical players. Metal musicians, despite unique demands (fast tempos, headbanging, extreme vocal techniques) remain under-investigated, highlighting urgent need for broader, inclusive studies on musicians' health. Methods: This scoping review, guided by methodological recommendations, maps existing evidence on metal musicians' health worldwide. It identifies gaps across physical, and mental well-being, using systematic searches, inclusion criteria, and structured data analysis. Results: From more than 5,000 references, 47 studies were included, and then categorised into musculoskeletal, vocal, hearing, mental health, mortality, and other issues. Findings highlight specific risks for metal/rock musicians, including injuries, hearing loss, vocal strain, psychological challenges, and elevated mortality rates. Discussion: This first scoping review synthesises evidence on metal musicians' health, highlighting musculoskeletal risks, vocal resilience, hearing loss, psychological stress, and elevated mortality. Despite shared issues with other musicians, unique practices like headbanging demand targeted research, prevention, and culturally informed approaches.