This article is part of our New Neighbours series, in which young refugees from across Europe guest edit VICE.com. Read the editor's letter here.–––A.* is 17 years old and originally from Syria. He currently lives in a guesthouse run by Greek NGO Praksis, in Athens.Ever since I was 10, I've been into metal. The first metal band I ever listened to was Disturbed. Back then, I was trying out different kinds of music and I soon realised heavy metal was the genre for me. I personally find it really relaxing, even though I know a lot of people find it, well, disturbing. Besides relaxing me, listening to metal songs has really improved my English.
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I like all different kinds of metal from all over the world. When I fled from Syria to Greece, I listened to a bunch of songs that made me feel better along the way. I made a list of those songs, and it's turned into quite an international one. Each band and each song has its own style and character. Dimmu Borgir, for example, are mainly concerned with social issues, while Aeternam's songs are about different cultures in countries like Egypt, Jordan, Syria and their lyrics are both in English and Arabic. Swallow the Sun songs are a bit gloomier, but when I listen to them it feels like my problems all vanish. I also like the theatricality of the funeral doom metal band Ahab, who took their band name from Moby-Dick.Of course I'm into other kinds of music as well – like dubstep, country music and trap. Here's the list of all the songs that accompanied me on my journey from Syria to Greece. You can also listen to it on Spotify or Apple Music.
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir were one of the first bands I became obsessed with. I had all their albums and I love pretty much every single one of their songs. This track in particular reminds me of my first steps into metal. As such, it has basically changed my life.Aeternam
Whenever I listen to this band, I think of my friend Arrab, who introduced me to them. He's still in Damascus, while I'm in Greece. Arrab and I have been through so much together – thinking about how far away we are from each other now can really get me down. But I hope we'll be hanging out again, listening to these songs together in couple of years, when we've put the war behind us.
Dimmu Borgir
"Black Metal"
Aeternam
"Descent of God"
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Swallow the Sun
"Solitude"
Ahab
"O Father Sea"
Skrillex
"Koyoto"
Kitty, Daisy & Louis
"Never Get Back"
System of a Down
"Toxicity"
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Trivium
"To Believe"
RIOT
"Sucker Punch"
Cradle of Filth
"From the Cradle to Enslave"
Behemoth
"Ov Fire and the Void"
This is another song that I play when times are rough. Whenever I start thinking about all the paperwork I need to go through, about the asylum interview and whether they'll grant me a refugee status, I get really nervous. Listening to this song calms me down and helps me think of something else.
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Suicide Silence
"Smoke"
Black Veil Brides
"The Legacy"
Music is a big part of my life. I used to beatbox when I was in Syria, and now I've found a friend to make music with together at the shelter. I beatbox and he raps. I'm also currently taking guitar lessons and learning to play anything from Greek songs to rock music. In the future, I'd like to learn how to play the drums and take singing lessons as well. *The author's name has been redacted for safety purposes.Sign the UNHCR petition urging governments to ensure a safe future for all refugees here.Go here to donate to Praksis, a charity supporting refugees in Greece.Illustration by Ana Jaks.