1. Metal with skilled musicians who know their instruments inside-out
2. Metal with real meaning - their songs aren't just random rhyming words put together, but actually tell a
nice story or send a message to the listeners
3. Metal with crazy solos (not always required, but it helps display your level of talent - and
face it, it's awesome every time)
4. Metal that isn't made just to appeal to the brainless masses, but made because it's what the musicians want to do, and they will display their artistic music to the truly devoted fans.
5. Metal that stays true to its style, no matter what the current trend is (some
deviation may be expected, but never go completely
overboard or you may not be making metal at all anymore).
Real metal bands: Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Emperor, Necrophagist,
Rhapsody of Fire, Symphony X,
Stratovarius,
Edguy, Blind Guardian, and much more