I'm aware those stuff was marketed as metal in those days - just like people were telling me smurf poo like Slipknot, \"thebandthatshallneverbementionedagain\" or Linkin Park are metal, a couple of years ago when I still wasn't into metal - which made me think metal is crap, until I heard Maiden... The "poser" bands from the '80s and early '90s are much better, though.

Was it really that most people would more probably connect metal with ga-hey-looking band playing poppy and commercial rock, than something evil, satanic and heavy?
And when did actually the public perception of metal change from this to satanic yelling, shouting and noise?

Duck makes an interesting point. I'm sure the vast majority of the uninformed still view it as something Satanic.

Yeah, there's nothing "poser" about the first 2 Def Leppard albums. For my money, "On Through The Night" and "High N Dry" are metal albums. After that the poppiness creeps in and eventually takes over.

Like I already stated, "posers" were the dudes who dressed up like the musicians and didn'y even play in a band. Hollywood and the Bay Area thrash scene both had "posers" hangin out.

...and some examples of thrash being a little friendlier, were when Metallica came out with "One", and the subsequent video that followed. This led to a live performance of the song in February of 89 on the Grammy's where they were introduced by the likes of Billy Crystal. Then came the infamous loss to Jethro Tull, which gained them even more celebrity status. In 1988, Slayer came out with an album that was a drastic departure from Reign In Blood, in that of South of Heaven. I actually remember hearing the word sell out as it pertained to the band (which was ridiculous). Overkill's "Hello From the Gutter" could be seen on Headbanger's Ball all the time, and it was super catchy and some what slick for an Overkill song. Death Angel's Frolic Through the Park although very thrashy, had what I would call a very catchy song in that of "I'm Bored". They also covered the song Cold Gin by KISS, which never hurts, when trying to find one's niche in the genre. I remember seeing "Trial By Fire" by Testament during those days on MTV as well. That next day, I went out to by the tape, and what was affixed to the tape cover? It was a sticker that said, Metallica endorses this record. Back in 1988/89, that was like the ultimate seal of approval! I'm sure there is a ton of other cases that can be made regarding thrash, and it starting to make it's move from its underground status...

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Well, I'm mostly talking of people who are in their teens now

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I should note I live in Croatia, so there's a lot of bands that are/were big in USA/UK/Canada that are virtually unknown here

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but I don't recall ever hearing any of these being played on the radio (but to tell the truth, I don't really listen to it anyway).

It became associated with more extreme (by today's standards) when the generational gap began to take place. In 1980, Iron Maiden was extreme.

The tides of change. A new generation came up and had different ideas and tastes. I don't really think anything killed Metal, it just wasn't the big deal it used to be and the bands and fans got pissed. The bands that really really loved what they did continued on playing for their fans and the rest moved on. A lot of the bands from the 60's didn't make it too far into the 70's and as excepted some of the 70's bands didn't make it too far into the 80's. A lot of the 90's bands are no longer around and conversely some of those 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's bands are still alive and kicking. Good music will always be around. Seriously, how many of those dang heavy metal mty videos could you sit through and would you really want to.

You also have to take into account that the fans were getting older. A fan who was 17 in 1985 for example was probably getting married and starting a family by 1991, therefore he didnt have as much expendable cash to spend on motley crue tickets or the new ozzy album. (and yes, i know there are several people here with families who are still die-hard metal fans, but you get my point)

I don't understand anything about why the industry changed back then. I mean bands who were really commercial started getting really heavy again and then all of a sudden, poof.. they were gone or changed styles. KISS for example released their heaviest album in Revenge! Then went to the shitter again.

I will blame the oversaturization of those pretty boy bands as well as Nirvana and the grunge scene/alternative scene on the decline of metal. Then bands like K-rn and other crap in the industry were trying to push as metal, to keep it away.

I do miss that feeling of good time, feeling happy type stuff though even if I didn't like it back then really.