What is HEAVY METAL

As I undersatnd it, the term 'heavy metal' was a derogatory term used by elitist music critics. Many of the bands from that era (late 60's early 70's) actualy tried to distance themselves from that term, prefering to be called 'rock and roll' or simply 'rock'. So who was the first band to embrace the term 'heavy metal' and proudly say, "We are a heavy metal band'? It is my understanding that the first band to do so was Judas Priest. Can anyone confirm this?

ultmetal: I don't really think anyone would deny bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest were metal, really.

But as far as some of the bands go, I definitely don't believe Aerosmith or Led Zeppelin ever said they were a metal band. If there is an interview that indicates where they said so, when was it?

Sabbath were the first metal band.
Acts such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, etc. were not really metal bands, but did pave the way for what would eventually become heavy metal.