I am a huge metal fan. Some of the bands I like... TOOL!!!!!, System Of A Down, Metallica, Pantera, Fear Factory, MACHINE HEAD!!, Arch Enemy, Iron Maiden, Amen....
Pretty much across the board, I don't hold myself to any one particular sub-genre. I basically view 'metal' as covering the spectrum from stuff like Nine In Nails and Tool to Korn and Slipknot including Nile and Hatebreed with of course Judas Priest and Slayer. Purists might whine, but get a grip, metal is a lifestyle and a broad music range, not some elitist club.
Dream Theater? Yeah theya re metal. Prog yes, but still metal.
Given the sheer numbe rof metal bands i've seen i'd say I know alot about the subject. Basically - anyone who goes on about certaina bands being overated and then goes 'bla bla bla DEATH METAL IS THE RULE!' needs a slap and probably secretly likes Linkin Park
(note: I only say this because I wish people would respect other peoples tastes)
Chukchi Husky said:
Someone once told me that Iron Maiden wasn't a metal band.
And that someone was wrong, because Iron Maiden are THE METAL BAND
Seriously, if some told me to define metal i'd say go listen to Iron Maiden, Metallica and Pantera.