I have a problem growing hair out! help!?

When you look at everything except my shoulders up, you can tell im a devout metalhead. but ive minused the long hair. my hair is i really thick, and if i try to grow it out, it grows up, not down, and afros, are not metal. please tell me theres hope somwhere in the hairstylring world. what can i do to grow my hair out?