**sighs**
As much as you might want to believe we are all going to read this and throw horns up and gurn respectfully in the general direction of your post the reality (as you will have already gleaned) is very much different. Now, before you tell me it's just your opinion how's about you tell us how you got to this viewpoint? Post relevant "facts" or experiences that have lead you to this conclusion?
Calling yourself a "metalhead" (a term which reflects a very narrow minded and singular view by it's very description) and applauding the genre isn't really my idea of a construct for a proper debate - even though you have got a few pages of response this is more to do with an ill-informed post on your part a opposed to any recognition of something of value having been said. For instance please clarify your definition of "true" metal, and who is to say that your definition is anymore valid than a fan of this (untrue?) "mainstream" metal.
I like my music but I refrain from calling it a way of life. I get that through different experiences the value people attach to music varies and I acknowledge the escape it can offer. But music isn't about hacking strips off bands or challenging the validity of the stripes they have earned to get them wherever they are in the greater scheme of things. Music is about finding your niche and enjoying it. Any self-respecting fan of music doesn't care two shits what other people listen to. They just sit back and enjoy the music of their choice.