DEV Community: Gorky Demircn

Why Do So Many Software Engineers Listen to Metal? Myth, Meme, or Something More?

Gorky Demircn — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:31:28 +0000

Over the years, I've noticed a funny stereotype in the software engineering community: a surprising number of developers seem to have heavy metal or hard rock blasting through their headphones while writing code. Whether it's Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, or something even heavier, the connection appears often enough that it made me wonder. Is there actually something behind it, or is it just another internet myth?

On the other hand, plenty of developers swear by lo-fi beats, classical music, jazz, ambient soundtracks, or even complete silence. So what really helps us reach that elusive state of flow? Is it the complexity of the music, the familiarity of favorite albums, the energy boost, or is it simply a matter of personal taste?

Personally, I've found that different types of work call for different types of music. Sometimes I enjoy the intensity of metal while solving a difficult problem, while other times I need something calmer or no music at all to stay focused. It made me realize that there probably isn't a single "developer soundtrack."

I'm curious about your experience. What do you usually listen to while coding? Does your playlist change depending on whether you're debugging, designing, or learning something new? Have your music preferences evolved throughout your career? And most importantly, do you think the "metalhead software engineer" stereotype has any truth to it, or is it simply confirmation bias because those discussions tend to be more visible online?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and maybe discover some new music along the way. :D Happy coding and listening to Metal :D

What hobbies made you a better developer?

Gorky Demircn — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:12:56 +0000

Have you ever noticed that some of the skills we use as developers don't actually come from coding?

Sometimes they come from the things that we love doing.

Well, for me, that thing is playing guitar.

At first, music and software development felt like completely different worlds - one is creative and emotional, the other is logical and structured.

But the longer I played, the more I realized...

Indeed, they are surprisingly similar.

Everything has structure

In music, notes are not random. When you hit one note, you need to understand where it wants to go next. A melody follows a structure. Chords resolve. Timing matters.

So, good software works the same way if you ask me.

We don't just write random code - every function or whatever leads somewhere. Every decision affects what comes next. There is flow.

When I started seeing code like musical composition, something clicked.

I stopped writing code just to make it work. I started writing it to flow.

Creativity matters more than we admit

We may often think development is purely technical. But the best solutions are often creative ones. Music strengthened that creative muscle for me - and it changed how I approach problems. Sometimes there isn't just one correct solution. Sometimes you improvise :D

Now I'm curious.

What hobby made you a better developer?
1- Gaming
2- Music
3- Writing
4- Sports

I'd love to hear it.

Drop in the comments - well, you might inspire another developer to pick up a new hobby.

Who’s the most influential person in your creative or programming journey?

Gorky Demircn — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:38:16 +0000

For me, that person is Kirk Hammett.
He’s the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. His tone, his leads, his stage presence—everything about his playing pulled me straight into the world of music. Some people say he’s overrated, but for me he’ll always be the guitarist who lit the spark.

I’ve been playing guitar for about four years now, and the progress I’ve made has shaped more than just my music. It’s had a huge impact on my programming journey too. I truly believe music and programming share a rhythm—creativity, flow, problem-solving, improvisation. They’re separate crafts, but the mindset feels connected. When my music improves, my coding feels sharper. When I hit flow state in code, I hear it in my playing.

So now I’m curious:
Who influenced your journey?
It could be a musician, a programmer, an artist, a teacher, a mentor—anyone whose presence or work pushed you forward and shaped the way you build things today.

I’d love to hear your story. Who was (or still is) your muse, your spark, your guiding influence in your programming or creative path?

What’s the Most Dedicated Dream You Had Before Becoming a Developer?

Gorky Demircn — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:57:21 +0000

I always thought I’d become either one of the greatest swimmers of all time or a musician who lived on stage. But life had different plans—somehow, I ended up becoming a software developer.

Do I regret it?
Absolutely not.

Even though I didn’t become a professional swimmer or a full-time musician, those passions are still part of who I am. They shaped me, and they’re still with me in their own way.

So now I’m curious: What about you? What did you want to become before life steered you toward development?