Well, this is a bit off-topic, but I have to admit, that being a metalhead and being involved with the metal scene/fans for over a decade now, has almost made me feel embarassed to be a fan of metal.
It's like being surrounded by narrow minded retards who think that metal as a music, and even as a way of life is pretty much the highest form of human being.
This rap vs. metal debate proves my point. Normal people are able to respond with words other than "it f***ing sucks" "metal rulz, f*** everything else". Then they go around saying that other people are narrow minded when it comes to music etc.
Yes, the metalscene is as varied when it comes to individuals as any other scene, and I know a lot of intelligent metalheads, but usually the most retarded, narrow minded metalheads are the most vocal ones.
And metal being a true form of music that does not go with the trends, that's just a load of bs.
Remember when nu-metal was getting bigger and bigger and all the bands like Soulfly (even Sepultura's Roots to some degree) Machine Head, Fear Factory and so on started having a lot of nu-metal influences.
Then all of a sudden, nu-metal is not cool anymore and the metalscene is once again focused on heavier stuff(metalcore, deathcore etc.), what happens? Dino Cazares form Divine Heresy to be metal again, Machine Head "goes back to it's roots and does what is wants to", Soulfly starts having more than two notes in their riffs and in general a lot of bands started jumping on the "real metal" bandwagon once again.
So even if it is metal, it's does not mean that it comes straight "from the heart".
Yes, I am a fan of metal music, from the most extreme to some lighter stuff, and I have been a metalhead for way over a decade (I'm 24 now). I love the music, the energy, the aggression, but I do like other forms of music as well.(not rap though, I like music with more dynamics and melodies as opposed to a more rhythmic approach) And I don't feel the need to prove that I am a "true metalhead" by saying things like "metal still is the best form of music" after I say I like Pink Floyd. I don't feel the need to have a "metal credibility". I know I love metal and that's it, I don't feel the need to prove it to other "metalheads"
End of rant