Barack Obama, Finland, And Heavy Metal: U.S. President's Shout-Out To Heavy Metal At State Dinner Goes Viral

During his remarks, Obama mentioned Scandinavian inventions like Spotify, Skype, and the NPR show All Songs Considered among other praiseworthy Nordic innovations. As he outlined in the remainder of his speech, Barack Obama reinforced that he had more than Finland's heavy metal on his mind.

"In fact, in a world of growing economic disparities, Nordic countries have some of the least income inequality in the world. There have been times where I have said, why don't we just put all these small countries in charge for a while and they could clean things up."

"The metal underground got pretty excited about the President of the United States referencing the Finnish metal scene."

While heavy metal music flourishes throughout Scandinavia – perhaps due, as Mudrian speculates, to the long, unforgiving winters – it takes on different personalities in each country. Finland's heavy metal scene is known for its diversity and eccentricity.

"Finland is making the weirdest heavy metal imaginable."

Is it evidence of a real interest? With his retirement from White House duties looming after November's election, it may be that Barack Obama will find more time to explore his connection to Finland and the heavy metal scene.

[Image by Carolyn Kaster/AP Images]