End Metallophobia (previously named 'Fear of a metal planet')

All, My friend (who calls herself Vera Metallum on Facebook and used to call herself Pagan Baby on Yahoo) has just entered the Miss Alternative 2010 'Beauty' Pagent.  Her decision to enter this competition prompted her to ask herself what is the definition of 'alternative'. This is a long 'essay' that she published on Facebook regarding the 'ins and outs' of being 'alternative' and what it means to be 'alternative'.  The essay begins with a definition of 'alternative'. Citing from http://www.dictionary.com/ , she states that an alternative (as a noun) is a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of two things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes the other possibility. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen. A possible or remaining course or choice. While as an adjective, it means Affording a choice of two or more things, propositions or courses...

They are one band who have been up there (and pretty much no 1) in my list of favourite bands and are one band, for many years, have been highly controversial. They are highly respected for many reasons: They have been around for a long time, since the early 1970s; They have many classic albums (see (1) below), though some 'cheesy' ones too (like Turbo for instance); They have survived in the face of many 'trends' including Punk, Disco, Rap and Dance, and many 'trends' within Heavy Metal itself (like Glam, Thrash, Death, Black and Nu Metal).  In other words, they have stood the 'test of time'; They have also survived in the face of many 'knockers' and naysayers, and have successfully defended themselves (in most instances) and their genre from all the outside (ie non-metal) forces, as well as those 'knockers' from withing who have accused them of being 'gay' or lame (cos they like something more 'brutal' or 'true...