Just for someone who likes everything to be in it's own genre . Heavy Metal could reallt mean anything. But usually when it is used it refers to Traditional Metal.
"On your knees
Into the night that you'll never remember"
I have no problem with the term, It refers to a cult following.
"Cult followings are often dedicated enough that many people of similar interest are familiar with one another due to convention gatherings, concerts, message boards, Internet chat rooms, word of mouth, or shops featuring related items."
"Cult bands often have a unique conception or musical style which has led to their cult status. It is this uniqueness which sets the band apart from others and which fans find attractive. This also has prevented some cult bands from achieving wider success, as some cult bands are known for experimentation or musical styles outside of mainstream tastes. Often, cult bands are no longer performing and recording, but continue to have a following. Indeed, the following today can be larger than when the band was still together."
"Underground music is music which has developed a cult following, independent of commercial success. This music generally speaking has little or no mainstream appeal, visibility or commercial presence. The term is also currently used to describe contemporary music of non-mainstream musical exponents with actual specific genre or style being unimportant in determining the "underground" status."
Far too many band are classed as "cult" these days, especially in the black metal world.
It seems to me as far as that particular genre is concerned a band is classed as "cult" if it releases some tape in 50 copies or vinyl of 111 copies regardless of whether the music has any worth or not
Another thing that makes the term confusing is that something's cult status depends on who you're talking to. Using the Cirith Ungol example, they would generally be considered cult but not on this forum where everyone knows them and people who don't like them are actually in the minority.
