You raise an interesting point there Foro. Is this forum anglo-saxon biased because we have many english-speaking members? (I think not);
I am not sure. Maybe I'd call it influenced. See rest of post.
Is it because most metal is anglo-saxon (a numbers game)?
The language yes, but the bands: no.
Or is it because the best metal is anglo-saxon?
When we look at the top, classic league: Yes, but I'd still say there are other albums, in the English language, but not made in the UK or USA, that did very well. Look at the bill of some European festivals, the running order might give an appropriate picture.
This leads to related question: are non-anglo saxon bands at a disadvantage simply because of their country of origin?
Out here, not 100% sure, but I do tend to say: yes. Most individuals who play this game are no metal-"specialists" and are mainly focused on bigger names or on prog bands. This game is not about (heavy)metal only, but most people are either very selective, either they completely ignore the genre, rather paying attention to forms of prog or glam rock/metal. The bulk of the metal releases is ignored on this forum. I must say that the only member who still follows a lot, is Night Prowler. Actually, he reminds me of myself a while back (now I am more busy with older bands and different genres).
And what about not singing in English? Does that automatically kill your chances of becoming as big as Maiden?
Yes. English is a very universal language when it comes to metal. Although Rammstein is pretty big!
Just my two cents:
The oldschool bands from England and the USA are very known, worldwide, and some of them are
very big
classic names.
European (hard/prog)rock/metal bands from outside the UK and North America are are not as "classic" and not as much known in the North American media.
I feel that especially in North America lots of European bands (even if they are big in Europe or South America) are still ignored by media.
In this game it comes down to taste, but still, I feel that taste can be influenced (directly or indirectly) by the material that has been available over the years. In continental Europe we've had a living metal scene for years. Also in the pre-internet era. We have always had lots of metal magazines, focusing on both North American and European metal bands. E.g. I heard Helloween 20 years ago, in a time without hundreds of other bands available on YouTube. To an American youngster, Helloween is just one of the discoveries.
In the USA you have classic radio. In Europe too, but I think it has more impact in America.
These aspects must have rooted somewhere, and I think games such as these still suffer a bit from it.
When a band gets airplay, that makes impression on the American! And the bands that get that airplay or that get invited in some American metal show are only from North America, or else they are classic English bands.
Classic, classic, that's what prevails. Fame! Fortune!
Of course we are all individuals and we can all discover music ourselves, but I think these remaining 12 bands (Maiden included) are not representative for what goes on in the world. I mean, if we'd held this game on some European or even worldwide metal forum, I am sure we'd have a few more albums from continental Europe on it.
edit:
Another factor: Grunge. Grunge made people from the UK and North America blind for continuing developments in metal in other (or even their own) countries. And afterwards mostly they mainly focused on old, classic bands. In continental Europe, some metalheads also embraced Grunge, but they did not loose as much contact with metal, as their fellow metalheads overseas. So, I feel that metalheads from continental Europe have been used to relatively more independence, and less influenced by what the radio/TV media tell them.
And
seeing a band play is also important. Especially non-classic metal bands really rely on that. Missing a live experience can attribute to having a less complete idea of a band.
Seeing death metal a la Gorefest or God Dethroned live, is really different from hearing an album. Live, I could not only get less annoyed -or even more impressed!- by grunts, but I also felt the power better. Lots of great younger bands have not made it to North America. And even if they went, a gig could have been aeons away from where somebody lived. Here, in Europe, especially western Europe, it's easier to catch a gig of a metal band you'd like to see one day. So, classic acts (which are often from the UK or North America) have an advantage in North America, since they are seen live more often than continental European bands.
Take out A Night at the Opera, Screaming for Vengeance, Appetite for Destruction, Paranoid.
