The subsequent time somebody says “rock is useless”, ask them to clarify the 14% surge in heavy rock exhibits this yr, or why Metallica remains to be outselling most popstars in stadiums throughout the globe.

The “rock is useless” refrain is way from abating, however new stats from Dwell Nation counsel the fact on the bottom – and within the pits – inform a really totally different story: Heavy rock and metallic aren’t simply alive, they’re thriving.

In a brand new Instagram submit, Dwell Nation declared that “heavy rock and metallic are larger than ever in reside music” they usually’ve acquired the receipts to again it up.

In keeping with the reside music big, heavy rock exhibits are up 14% this yr, whereas metallic now accounts for 13% of all stadium and area exhibits.

Bands like Deliver Me The Horizon, Dangerous Omens, Pierce The Veil, Sleep Token, Ghost and Turnstile are main the cost, “blowing up in streams, tickets gross sales and followers snapping up area tickets”.

Legacy acts like Korn, Deftones, Linkin Park, Evanescence and Iron Maiden proceed to ‘anchor pageant line ups’, whereas System Of a Down have added stadium dates, “after on the spot sellouts in New Jersey, Chicago and Toronto.” Metallica, then again, continues to “dominate world stadium touring”.

Even within the pageant circuit, the scene is increasing.

Dwell Nation notes that metallic festivals similar to Rockville, Aftershock and Inkarceration are “larger yearly”, “fuelled by numerous line ups catering to much more followers.”

And 5 July marked what often is the style’s most emotional second in current reminiscence – Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne’s remaining public farewell at Birmingham’s Villa Park.

“Ozzy Osbourne – The Prince of Darkness – didn’t simply entrance Black Sabbath,” Dwell Nation writes. “He modified music ceaselessly. His legacy will reside on in each riff.”

Earlier this yr, Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French claimed that the shortage of younger rockstars is a transparent signal that the style has misplaced its grip on the mainstream.

“The physique of what we represent as the usual rock act… is by and enormous, over,” French mentioned.

He defined that whereas rock bands nonetheless exist, their affect on mainstream tradition has waned considerably: “The collective psyche that dictates present music traits and sociological affect of music, it’s not exhibiting up within the rock world by way of mass acceptance”.