I have to admit, my favourite "metal" or "hxc" or "rock" bands in general are mostly local bands around where I live. That's most of the stuff I listen to. I mean, sure I listen to Tool (which is my all-time favourite band), and Evergreen Terrace, and Bullet for My Valentine, And Hopesfall (the older), and Bleeding Through, and Atreyu, and bands like that.... but most of what I listen to are local bands: MSD, Incursion, Antikythera, (intheclear), Five Bolt Main (which contains members of Flaw), 7DaySun, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, A Present Day Nightmare, Straight Line Stitch, Arcane Saint, PUC.... and I can name a lot more.

Anyways... while much "mainstream" metal is definitely worth listening to, I find local music fresher... 'cause there's really no boundaries. And band members treat their fans as equal; you can chat away with any of the band members at a show or online or even at their place of employment (yes, they have other jobs). So, while the rewards aren't as plentiful as "making it big", the lifestyle is much more appreciable.

I'm completely lost on what I'm saying now, so I'm just gonna shut up... haha...