Why do some people think metal is linked to classical music?

Anyone claiming that there's a legitimate connection between the two, is simply attempting to up-grade the perceived value, and/or promote respect for metal - pure nonsense.

You can't get a coherent answer when you ask for one, because there aren't any.

The following academic piece of garbage is probably where this kind of thinking originates: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2680987/Hea...

If I were you, I would spend more time listening to Bach; rather than concentrating on intellectual pursuits that are devoid of substance(no offense meant, I assure you),

Alberich

Well, heavy metal music and classical music don't really have a strong connection, but this connection is much stronger than any other genres of music today. Its mostly the complexity and the ideology(behind both genres) that connects them, also the heaviness (try listening Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries"). Apart form that, there are no other major similarities.

If you want to know more....

http://www.anus.com/metal/about/metal/classical-mu...

It's important to note that there is a genre of metal called "Neo-classical metal", its Metal and Classical music mixed together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-classical_metal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yngwie_Malmsteen

The only connection I can see is the virtuosity. Both genres have tried to get performers who could play insanely difficult pieces.

Some metal songs use similar chord progressions to classical songs, but that's true of just about any genre of music.

definately a link between the two genres in case you inspect the complexity of the piece and assessment of the two you will discover the transformations/similarities thats how trans siberian orchestra became shaped. From former metallic guitar gamers that took comparable riffs to a classical putting and did staggering at it, there are different examples besides...

Music is music, they're all related somehow, whether you like it or not.