Money and mainstream popularity do enter the equation but in less degree than you might think. The marketing aspect exists but that really isn't all because there are more metal/rock bands with real poor marketing than with good marketing. I guess it comes with the territory.
Pantera is a major influence on all kinds of bands from all musical origins. In JP's Jugulator the influence of Pantera is strong. The fact that all sorts of bands either imitate your sound, cover your songs or quote what you say seems a better marker to determine how great you are.
You probably know the earlier recordings of Metallica and shit. See their covers? Those were the bands that influenced them and most were not as popular as ZZTop, Deep Purple or Black Sabbath.
Just the other day I posted a link to a YouTube vid with Diamond Head in this Noticeboard and nobody said a thing.
The only way I can say Metallica are a bunch of sell outs is when they charge to see them and they don't deliver. Their new musical direction in the studio looks like a compass without a North mainly because to create new metal you have to be pissed off at something real bad.
It's hard to be pissed off when the world is at your feet.
