I’d say it takes a pretty open mind to get into metal in the first place; the often discordant or dissonant sounds, the screaming, the speed… all can make this kind of music very inaccessible for the first-time listener. This stands in stark contrast with the incredible narrow-mindedness and elitism that can be found once within the metal community. It’s as though we start with an open mind only to slowly but surely close it.

To be fair, I’ve been criticized for not listening to a wide enough array of music. I’d like to think that it’s because I know what I like, and I listen to what I like. But this doesn’t mean I won’t give pretty much anything a chance, and I try not to judge as much as possible. I just wish I saw a little more of that in the metal scene these days.

Where they went from metalcore into the heavier shit, now they are even backtracking into a lot of the 80s/epic metal stuff like Dio, Iced Earth, etc.

It’s all about keeping an open mind. You can’t fault someone for liking what they like, you know. At least be honest about it and don’t be one of those holier than thou assholes who runs around screaming “If it ain’t brutal, I don’t like it!” while at the same time they are home rocking the fuck out to some Godsmack.

@TTquick.
I don’t listen to tons of Hatebreed (although they ARE good), but Jaime Jasta has got to be the nicest dude in metal.

As an older dude on the site, my metal progression went something like this:
The Who, Dio, Def lep/Quiet Riot, Motley, Metallica/Deth/Testament, Slayer, VOD, Ratm. THEN…Hatebreed

Hatebreed opened the door for me to the entire metal world. I’m talking Death, Obituary, Carcass, Killswitch, Shadows, etc… Strong but true.

Nice to see real dialogue about metal round these parts. I’d gotten so tired of the Blabberbashers.

The guys on this website seem to enjoy A7X. A lot of people don’t. But good for them for admitting they like it.

I have no problem telling people that I dig the shit out of the last 2 As I Lay Dying records, or even the new My Chemical Romance.

However I think that metalcore can have merits beyond its function as a gateway; although the scene may be pretty oversaturated with trendy, shitty metalcore bands, the concept in and of itself I find to be very appealing and, when done right, can be downright brutal. It bothers me that metalcore has become an almost derogatory label, immediately dismissed by anyone who likes ‘real’ metal.

Honestly, fuck the petty miniscule sub-genre quarreling and fuck the labeling. And that’s my 2 cents.

It started with Killswitch Engage, then moved to Shadows Fall, then to Amon Amarth, and now these bastards are starting to get into Dimmu Borgir, old Emperor and Obituary. It’s a slippery slope.

I felt like a proud father when my friend asked me if we are going to see Decapitated next month.