I heard from people in MA that metal is fairly popular in big European countries. Its not as look down upon as it is in South America and North America. Someone even mentioned that in school, the wide fans of black metal reached the "preppy side" of girls who wears pink shirts and girly girls that listen to Burzum. I find that really interesting.
Yes.. metal is quite big in europe.
Bands like Satyricon and Dimmu Borgir enter the Top-20 whenever they release something new.. atleast here in their native country.
Not so sure about the preppy girly-girls listening to Burzum though