I think the author is DEAD wrong. He really has no clue. Music sales does no longer relfect actual sales, as purchased downloads is the only measured sale. Forget CD's and vinyl. And the metal fans buy physical albums, not downloads!
I think metal is stronger than in 20 years or so! It's featured way more in f.ex. movies, and as cultural references in general. There are more tours, bigger tours and more people going to concerts. More new bands, more albums released.
Sure, it will never be the '80's again, but who cares? As long as it is still a vital genre, speweing out great new music all the time, than It's all good.
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