Originally Posted by Briks

Mainstream music is popular because it's easy to find, and most mainstream artists follow an easy-to-like pattern. Also, there is mainstream metal (kind of). The recent-ish nu metal and metalcore subgenres have enjoyed moderate mainstream success, you know, if you count them as metal at all. Iron Maiden is a well-known band, and they're still playing. Megadeth released their newest album this year, and I think I discovered it in a YouTube ad.