Metal Anarchy

Russell Allen (Symphony X) has shared a new song titled “Love Her Like I Do (Ava’s Song).” The track was released in honor of Autism Awareness Month, which holds a great significance to the singer, whose daughter is on the spectrum.

Allen commented:

“The song was written over several years navigating the evolution of our daughter’s life on the spectrum. Observing her behaviors that most would consider quirky became normal to me and my family. It became increasingly difficult for her to make friends in her life, though we tried several groups and activities for her to explore. Her social anxiety would overwhelm her senses and she would just retreat into her ‘world’ and stim a lot.

The heartbreaking moment for me was when she came home from school and asked, ‘Why are the kids playing and having fun but not with me?’ The fact that she was so aware of her situation was both enlightening and difficult for us, because we knew she couldn’t change who she was for acceptance of her peers. But why should she? So the song became my wish — a father’s wish — for my daughter to find a world full of people who would accept her and love her the way we do.”