You're only ever gonna get the most popular, best exposed, biggest selling of rock and metal music capture the attention of the mainstream. As far as I can tell, that has continued to happen. Whether rock and metal features as predominantly now as it did in the 80s, I dont know. I was born in '84. Likewise I also dont know how album sales in general from the 80s to now would compare.
Since the turn of the millennium though, its not like rock and metal hasnt featured in the mainstream, radio or charts. New releases from the likes of Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Metallica etc have continued to sell well, bands like Iron Maiden have not only done well but have made themselves relevant again with a younger audience and I would say that the following have enjoyed success in, or briefly flirted with, the mainstream media over the last 12 years:
Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, Nickleback, Foo Fighters, Muse, Arctic Monleys, Kings of Leon, System of a Down, Sum41, Staind, Godsmack, Saliva, White Stripes, The Strokes, The Hives, P.O.D, The Killers, Audioslave, All Time Low, Green Day...
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