Fans of heavy metal and hardcore punk have been told since forever that these genres are not music at all, but noise. However, many rely on these much-maligned tones to cope with severe illness, weighty medical conditions, and crippling mental health challenges.

A new documentary, Heavy Healing, shines a bright light on the recuperative powers of brash, discordant music. The film features some of the most prominent names in the underground, and not-so-underground, scene. Along with fans and industry types, members of Killswitch Engage, EyeHateGod, Agnostic Front, Leeway, 24-7 Spyz, Murphy’s Law, Bowling for Soup, Jesse Malin, and others speak candidly with regard to their respective conditions— cancer, strokes, heart attacks, cerebral palsy, anxiety and depression, blood diseases, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, to name a few—as well as their proud reliance on loud and aggressive sounds to keep them inspired throughout the grueling recovery process. [Ed.: Howie directed the documentary.]