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Your favorite tunes may reveal your personality, according to researchers.

British psychologists at Westminster University found that hardcore heavy metal fans are particularly open to new experiences and have a strong need for individualism. However, people who like metal music, which is characterized by heavy guitar riffs, double-bass drumming, complex rhythms and extreme tempos, are significantly more likely to have low self-esteem and lower-than-average levels of religiosity.

"It is possible that this association is driven by underlying attitudes towards authority, which may include religious authorities," said lead researcher Viren Swami, according to the Daily Mail.

"The catharsis afforded by heavy metal may, in turn, help boost self-worth and promote positive self-evaluations among those with otherwise low self-esteem," Swami added. "Rather than stereotyping fans as deviant, antisocial, or violent, it may be more fruitful to understand the psychological needs that contemporary heavy metal fill for some individuals."

The findings are published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts.

Previous research revealed that lovers of heavy metal and classical music had similar personalities.

Researchers at the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found that heavy metal and classical music lovers tend to be introverted, creative and at ease with themselves.

The study, which was based on online interviews, also revealed that jazz fans are creative, outgoing and relaxed. According to researchers, country music fans are hardworking, reggae fans are laidback, punk fans are creative and aggressive and indie fans have low self-esteem.