Top Ten Tips On How to Be a Good Metalhead

Most important of all. If you like a metal band, it doesn't matter which one or what genre, then you're a metalhead. (Just make sure they are actually metal).

Music defines the origin of a metalhead: one can not be a Metalhead if it had not started of a metal riff.

There's enough metal genres out there to where nearly anyone can enjoy the genre.

Isn't cutting mostly a pastime for emos? Metalheads aren't known for cutting themselves and very few of them are depressed.

Lyrics are just lyrics. Not to be taken seriously most of the time.

If you're saying you're a metalhead cause you're into bands such as definitely Leppard and Bon Jovi, then I hate to disappoint you, but they're not metal. Pretty good though.

Most people at my school hate metal, and the few people that like it only like Slipknot, Bring Me The Horizon, and Linkin Park.

Yeah, I hate it when people say they like metal and only like bands like Asking Alexandria and Avenged Sevenfold.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you're a Slipknot fan who wants to listen to Darkthrone, go ahead.

I'm a big Slipknot fan and I still enjoy lots of BM bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone, Bathory, Burzum, Celtic Frost, Behemoth,... and some DSBM also.

Doesn't make this you a metalhead already?

I mainly like older bands such as

Black Sabbath
Judas Priest
Metallica
Megadeth
Anthrax
Slayer
Manowar
Motorhead
Iron Maiden

The only new metal band that I like is Dusturbed, and I'm not really that big of a fan. Nothing beats the classics!

I like old and new equally. Although most of the modern bands I like are obscure. But listen to those old metal bands, they put a lot of effort in.

Sorry but I really dislike new metal bands. None of them are great and a lot of them sound too commercial. Old metal for the win.

Don't call bands like Avenged Sevenfold or slipknot or any hair/nu metal/deathcore/metalcore etc. band poser metal. Also, don't call the people in these bands emo- (you know what word goes here). Don't criticize someone for liking a band that you call "poser metal" (don't call them names). Don't go on videos of bands that you call "poser metal" and leave a hate comment just to hate. If you're a metal head and you do this, then you'll come off as an arrogant and stuck up metal elitist. Don't be one of these, metal elitists are the reason that many people have hate towards metal fans. Like some of the tips in the top tens, be open minded towards all music genres and bands and be respectful towards others and their opinions.

It always amazes me how much good music exists. There is an endless realm of music that's waiting to be discovered and to be created out there. Whether you've heard of the band and you're giving them a try, or you've never heard of them, there's always a great band that you don't know.

I never stop, I always end up loving new bands. And sometimes its not new( like they just released a debut album ) but like I found out about the band Motorhead, a band formed in the late 70$/early 80$. And I loved them. If its new to you, it doesn't matter if they are 50 years old or not

I admit, I used to be a big hypocrite on this site. And insult bands that people liked in posts. I've deleted them now so don't bother looking for them. That being said, if you can give constructive criticism, then that's fine.

Yeah, this one is extremely important. Everyone has their own taste and opinions, especially in music.
You'll never find anyone with whom you agree in every single matter, so get along with that.
(And if you do, you are probably not yourself, but trying to be someone else.)

Now this makes a good metalhead.

Find a hobby. Whilst some bands are amazing, their lyrics can get depressing if that's all you do all day.

You'll also get problems finding friends or a partner, if you're interested in only one topic...

I have other hobbies other than listening to metal all day.

Not only that, but I enjoy a lot of different music genres, like classical, rap, electronic, and despite I love metal, my favourite band is (and will always be) a stoner rock band called Queens Of The Stone Age.

You can like ANY type of music. Being a metalhead doesn't strictly mean, that you have to listen ONLY to metal. It just menas metal is one of your FAVORITES.
Many seem to forget this.

Rock got me into bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica etc.

I don't think that finding your subgenre is important. You should enjoy the music and when you like several types of metal: why not?
But if you are into only 1 or 2 subgenres that's also fine, and you'll probably get to know more underground bands!

I like several subgenres actually. My favorite would probably have to be thrash.

Even if you don't like metal at first listen, continue to give it more and more chances and find other bands to use to get into metal, and I'm positive you will adapt. That is, if you're already a big rocker.

Don't be like an elitist metalhead.

Where did it begin? Who were the trailblazers? How did it change over time?

It's a good thing to go to concerts, because then you have a story or two to tell.

Been to two and plan to go to more.