I come from France.
Like many people, I came into Metal thanks to the classics of Hard Rock and Metal (AC/DC, MAIDEN, PRIEST, G'N'R, LED ZEPPELIN...) bands wich I still love.
Then, I discovered The 80's Metal Scene. Lots of "true" metalheads like hating this subgenre but I was into Glam Metal (G'N'R, POISON, MOTLEY CRUE, RATT...) and Thrash, I already listened to The Big Four(METALLICA was my favourite bands, Master of Puppets and Ride The Lightning was my two references) but I really dig this music at this period (EXODUS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, TESTAMENT, KREATOR, SODOM, CORONER, SADUS, VOIVOD, ANNIHILATOR, OERKILL...) with a little bit of Death Metal bands (DEATH wich is one of my favourite band, ATHEIST, CARCASS & OBITUARY). But I never been a huge Death Metal lover.
Now, my favourite subgenre is Fuzz : I listen to a lot of Doom Metal(CANDLEMASS, SAINT VITUS, SLEEP, ELECTRIC WIZARD, SATAN'S SATYR, TYPE O NEGATIVE, TROUBLE, PENTAGRAM, CATHEDRAL...), Stoner(KYUSS, GOATSNAKE, MONSTER MAGNET, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS...), and Sludge(EYEHATEGOD, CROWBAR, C.O.C...),Progressif Sludge (or Post-Metal) too (NEUROSIS, ISIS, CULT OF LUNA, MASTODON...)
Sometimes I like listening to Heavy Metal, especially NWOBHM (SORTILEGE, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, MERCYFUL FATE, DIO, SCOPIONS, SAXON, DEF LEPPARD, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, DIAMOND HEAD...) and I also like Psyche Rock Bands like CREAM, 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS, JIMI HENDRIX....), Proto-Metal bands (BUDGIE, BLUE CHEER, SIR LORD BALTIMORE, LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH...) and Grunge (ALICE IN CHAINS that is maybe my favourite band, all the albums they made are masterpieces, SOUNDGARDEN, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, PEARL JAM, MOTHER LOVE BONE...)
I'm discovering Black Metal (AGALLOCH, BATHORY, DARKTHRONE, ULER, DISSECTION, SUMMONING, EMPEROR, URFAUST, WATAIN...) and I love it !
I do not have a battle jacket yet but I've got a lot of band's tshirts.