This document discusses why no rock or metal band will achieve the same level of success as Metallica. It argues that there are now too many bands splitting fans' attention on the internet. It also notes that screamed or growled vocals are less popular now. Finally, it claims that music no longer holds people's focus like it did when Metallica rose to fame, as people now have many other entertainment options. For these reasons, the document concludes that no band will match Metallica's level of mainstream popularity.

1. Why No Other Rock Artist Will be as Successful as Metallica
Time and time again I hear people into the rock and metal genre wonder who will be “the next
Metallica?” and its mostly always Metallica, not ACDC, not Motley Crew, nor any other
successful band. It’s a topic that comes up all the time in casual conversations. Not in the sense
of similar sounding music I’m talking about success.
“Who’s the next big band that’s going to break?”
I too, often found myself wondering this before I stepped into the music industry. It’s
understandable why fans and those in the industry want there to be another massively popular
metal band to emerge, because when a metal or heavy rock band reaches the mainstream, it
creates its own little economic ecosystem underneath it. For example, when Metallica tours, all
sorts of people outside the band members themselves make money. From managers and agents to
the stagehands, techs, merch companies, promoters, publicists, and so on. It also creates
opportunities for opening acts and bringing new fans into the genre. Personally, I’d love to see
the genre make a big comeback, but truth be told, there is never going to be another rock/metal
band as big as Metallica.
This is why:
For starters, there are just too many bands out there today. Not that it’s a bad thing that there’s so
many bands, not in the least, it means that the genres not dead. However, with so many bands’

2. fans are being pulled in a million different directions at once. This is mostly enabled to by the
internet. While file-sharing has made it harder for musicians to make a living, that’s obvious. But
it’s not what I’m going to be talking about. When I mean the Internet, I mean any music fan can
find a band that’s suited specifically to their tastes. Fans are no longer held to a limited menu at
the record store or on the radio and being forced to choose their favorite from set selection. With
the evolution of the internet, there’s just about any kind of genre out their now, there are no
common denominators anymore because we don’t need them to find music we like.
Secondly, screaming. Or as it was called in my day “Screamo” music, is no longer a popular
thing. Screaming and growled vocals have gained some acceptance outside of the metal world in
some indie rock kids getting into metal in recent years, but the world at large is just not having it.
A general majority of music-listeners prefer melody in singing and understanding the lyrics.
Bands that I’ve engrossed in growing up that have passed radio play inspection such as like All
That Remains, Avenged Sevenfold, Motionless in White, and Five Finger Death Punch have
doubled down on the amount of screaming and growling in their lyrics and transitioned to more
cleaner singing and adapting to a more pop-like standard to increase their fanbase.
Lastly, music just doesn’t matter as much as it used to anymore. Compared to when Metallica
got its fame. People have about a gazillion other ways to spend their time nowadays, be it
through Facebook, Instagram, video games, sex, drugs, etc. 99% of people today won’t take the
time to listen to an album from start to finish. Heck, how many people have albums anymore?
Technology has allowed us to pick and choose music through streaming services. The fact is
music has become but a background noise to us now. We might have it playing in our offices,
our cars, phones, etc. but it’s no longer the focus point. With that sad reality, that is why there’s
never going to be another rock/metal band as successful as Metallica. Not anytime soon. We can
hold onto the hope that the genre will make such a comeback, someday. Until then, make the
most of what you have now. Bands that have been quiet for some time now are making a
comeback and the genre is still as healthy as ever. Keep it thriving. Keep it going.