Alright, hear me out here. So far my study is n = 1 but I can state, with confidence, that I lift far more weight while listening to heavy metal music. I don't have a scientific factor but if I had to guesstimate, it is at least 10%.
This realization occurred yesterday while deadlifting and some Backstreet Boys throwback came onto the gym radio. I couldn't complete my second set of 8 (only got 7). I went back to my bag, grabbed my headphones, threw on some Lamb of God, and I hit the next set of 8 for an RPE 7.
That got me thinking about all the powerlifters I know: male and female, they all listen to metal music. Maybe this is a community thing or... maybe it's science.
Can listening to heavy metal music help you lift more weight, and thus, increase strength?