Personally the stuff that's niche is the stuff that's pioneering. And that's important to me. Enslaved and Opeth churn out the same stuff album after album these days.
Generally i definatley agree,but when well known pioneers of a genre cant expand or even maintain an audience shouldnt we start getting worried?(8 years ago Opeth alone sold out a venue here with 4 times the capacity)
I think more than other types of music metal relies on touring and gigging.And in the modern era with YT/spotify ect live shows are pretty much the only reliable revenue stream any band have.Like yea its fine for me, you and other likemidned folks who truely love the music to explore and listen to a lot..we will always find good stuff worth our time/money,but would we dig if we hadn't been introduced to to the greats of the past in our formative years?
For the most part i dont expect the stuff thats pulls in kids/new people to metal to appeal to me but it most defiantly will be worthwhile in the longrun,their tastes will expand and fuel the next wave.But im not even seeing the new wave of stuff i dislike appeal to the masses,i see some stuff thats already niche appealing to folk like me and you tho....its fine for now.. but in 5-10 years..i worry
I see then current climate..slayer retiring ...priest almost there..maiden super close...metallica(not a fan but they done a lot cant be denyied )...megadeth getting near the end..whos the the draws after that? heck whos a respectable 2nd tier to a general audeicne? Whos taking up the crown afterwards?