Actually, during the past decade r so, an interesting phenomena came forward… although the ALbum sales are smaller, and there is not so much mainstream exposure, Heavy Metal, a a genre, is making almost 50% of ALL THE MONEY, in the world stage — and it is doing it through concerts..

By the nature of being what it is… ( metal is at it’s best live)…there are now more crowds on any Heavy Metal gig (and festivals are a story on their own) then there ever were in the “best” times for Metal .. mid 80s to mid 90-s …

SO, although the genre is not “mainstream” in the media representation, or album sales… it kicks everyone-s ass when it comes to Live concerts