True, though it's subversive in its current form because there's just not much commercial success to be had from it. The kid who's into metal is the weirdo (I should know; I was that weirdo) and the weird are a naturally-limited market.

You have to be in it for the love of the game.

Yep. I’m the middle-aged guy at the small prog metal shows dressed like a preppie nerd. I fit right in despite having zero outward trappings of the subculture (except nerdiness). Love that everyone there chose to be there. Also think metal concerts are too damn loud these days. :)