Teenagers who lock themselves in their bedrooms to listen to heavy metal music may simply be trying to cope with* the pressures of being gifted, according to British research reported last week.

The study said that teenagers often work off* the stresses* of being bright by listening to heavy metal bands such as Queen, Slipknot and Tool.

Researchers questioned more than 1,000 members of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth of the United Kingdom, whose members rank among the brightest five percent of youngsters in Britain.

“People often assume* that gifted and talented students like classical music and spend a lot of time reading. I think that is inaccurate,” Stuart Cadwallader, a University of Warwick psychologist*, said.

“They feel more stressed than average teenagers and turn to heavy metal as a way of working off the stress.”

Cadwallader added that heavy metal fans often appreciate* the “complex and sometimes political themes” of the music.

“It has a tendency* to worry adults a bit,” he said. “But it does not indicate* problems.”

Many of heavy metal’s biggest stars are gifted — Brian May, guitarist with rock band Queen, is currently finishing a doctorate in astrophysics*, while Iron Maiden star Bruce Dickinson is a history graduate, international fencer* and qualified commercial pilot.