Metallica will probably still be going, having released another set of lame albums that will divide the metal community.
It's hard to say what bands from the 90s and 00s are going to stick around for the long run, because few popular metal bands seem to have any staying power. The 80s produced Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, and what have you, including underground bands. These days, most bands seem to release a couple albums and then vanish, except bands like Dragonforce who somehow gain some recognition.
Any guesses/speculation on new/current bands that promise longevity?
Good question.
I think the whole metal scene has become so big and varied compared to what it was back in the 80s, it will be almost impossible for modern acts to become timeless legacies like Sabbath or any other immortal band from "the good ol' days". Every time a good band comes out, they get 3 or 4 releases out and by then, their style is no longer the thing 'cause this new band came out playing something new and so much better than what we heard a week ago...Trivium is a good example of that. Like a loud fart, they exploded in the metal world and after five minutes nobody cared because everyone suddenly found out how boring they were (which is a good thing.)
Nowadays, instead of having that
one band everybody talks about, we seem to be more oriented toward the "cult album" thing simply because there are too many bands, too many genres and way too many different metalheads.
As for speculations...not much can be done.
Amon Amarth seem to be on their way for victory but their style is simply not reaching a large enough audience to gain, after time, the same renown as Maiden or Megadeth...
In Flames left a good mark but these I doubt will survive much longer in the universal metalhead conscience.
Opeth could last for a long while, they seem to be appreciated by most of the public and the critics. Then again, those who don't like Opeth tend to hate them lots and that might not help them reach the thrones...
Nightwish seem to be in the same position as Opeth.
Also, nowadays, all things pagan/folk metal are pretty much getting the spotlight but like anything else, this trend will certainly die out soon.
no country for old wainds said:
you think there's as much originality today as there was 20 years ago? i suspect there isn't, if only because a genre's boundaries can't infinitely expand
That and also simply because there are so many bands out there, every style gets completely diluted. The more to play the same music, the more boring the music gets.