[rolandog]

I like your observation on loss of intimacy.

I don't know if this properly translates to English, but in the Mexican metal scene (I don't know if this would generalize to other Spanish speaking regions) I've heard the term "comercial" used to describe when a band has gone mainstream, or "sold out"... It sometimes carries a similar connotation of being too popular.

[darrenf]

Yeah, I get the sold out/mainstream/commercial thing but that phrasing has always to me felt like a criticism of the band, when actually I'm resenting the presence of an increased number of fans - about which I should be feeling vindicated and smug.