We probably aren\'t going to do a better job describing the genesis and progression of metal than wikkipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_musicFor my part, after reading everyone\'s posts, it is clear we all love what we know, and its funny to me that people still respond to metal (ooh, icky noise) like they did in 1982.
The only points I\'d make:
A) Wow Emperor sucks.
B) To me.
C) Metal WAS very difficult to innovate in the 80s, for bands on the bleeding edge, such as Slayer, Megadeth, and even.../sigh...Metallica. Crap like Emperor is simply retreading the same old tires and giving them another spin. Metal you see nowadays is rote, and typical, and generic, and incredibly hard to listen to, even for people (like me) who grew up listening to RKL, CoC and Slayer between bong-hits.
D) Punk is waaaay easier to play than metal, but it can also sound muuuuch more pleasant without trying too hard.
E) Anyone who wants to hear metal that is still largely accessible should listen to Slayer first and foremost--give it a chance, they grow on you like moss--wicked wicked moss.
F) Nu-Metal has ruined the \"primal scream\". Emotion is no longer linked to angry screams, it\'s just the capstone to any cheesy disturbed song, chorus & verse. oooohahahahah!
G) Then again, Slayer has some crappy songs, too.
H) Megadeth made two good albums: it is one of the mysteries of the universe how megadeth turned so crappy so fast.
I) Not all metal is so serious. Type O Negative is considered \"doom metal\" by many, but have a surprisingly good sense of humor.
J) I saw a block of Pantera videos the other night. Man, are they gay? Every video is essentially the band in a small room with no shirts on, sweating all over each other. I used to think pantera was the be-all-end-all. Now I\'m convinced they were just on the cusp of nu-metal. Their songs, in any event, are almost sub-literate, but sound good anyway.
K)I\'m realising this post is going to seem really pretentious. Sorry if I sound too judgmental. The wikkipedia article is funny. There\'s a pretty classic wikkipedia article on the \"heavy metal umlaut\" for those that are interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_umlaut[ Edited for language. --Karyuu ]