Now the question is...what is actual metal?
Simple. Anything where the metal influences outweigh everything else. I'm aware this is open to many different interpretations, but this is simply how I see it:
Linkin Park's first two albums clearly have some metal influence, but, in my and really most people's opinions, it's outweighed by the hip-hop, electronic, grunge, and alternative influences that dominate nu-metal. Prototypical example of why nu-metal isn't considered metal by 99% of metalheads.
Thrash metal was formed by bands taking the formula laid down by the NWOBHM, and adding influence from the hardcore punk bands of the time (Bad Brains, Minor Threat, etc.). Considered metal by everyone because the hardcore punk influences, while vital, are outweighed by it's metal roots.
Deathcore, in my opinion, takes the formula of modern hardcore, and adds in some death metal influence. Thus, you get a genre full of breakdown after breakdown after retarded Drop-A, open string, one-note breakdown, followed by some senseless blast beats. The hardcore influence outweighs the metal influence, and thus is
not metal.
I find it impossible to classify a single sub-genre of metal as the only true form metal.
I've never seen anybody try to do that, really.
If you havn't visited the almighty map of metal then please do (
http://mapofmetal.com/). Though I may not like some sub-genres of metal I still regard them as being part of Metal.
I saw that a few months ago. Honestly, it's a good guide for beginners, but nothing to swear on. Some mistakes here and there with band placements, etc.
Also, wtf is "Trance metal?" Blood Stain Child is a melodeath band, and Asking Alexandria is another deathcore turd.
