Don’t listen to anyone who uses to term “real metal” or otherwise tries to gatekeep. Don’t feel the need to be super familiar with the sub-genres or anything either because tbh it can get so complicated and it isn’t as important as people will tell you it is. Metal is metal. Yeah, there’s different kinds, but in the end it’s still metal. Also if you see a shirt for a band that you don’t listen to but you think the shirt looks cool then just wear the shirt, it isn’t a big deal. Maybe it can be some inspiration to check out a new band but even if not then it doesn’t matter whether you wear the shirt or not.

As for band suggestions, I assume you know Ghost since that’s what my page is about but Disturbed and Candlemass are good bands to start with too. Slipnkot, Behemoth, and Gorgoroth are some other suggestions of mine. Be wary of Gorgoroth though if you don’t like to see animal carcasses! They bought real sheep heads from butchers and stuck them on pikes on stage for their live shows.

And never let anyone tell you that you aren’t a real metalhead if you listen to other genres of music too. You can like all kinds of music and still call yourself a metalhead. Sometimes I really be rockin’ to Backstreet Boys ya know

EDIT: I forgot to mention, don’t feel bad for liking popular metal songs. They’re popular because they’re good.