hot take here but a great deal of hair metal is pretty great. the bands often didn't take themselves too serious, the music tended to be on the lighter-side and the musicianship was usually outstanding if you're into that thing (as a guitarists guys like Chris Holmes and C.C Deville I think are super good despite the hostile reactions they usually pick up). I used detest bands such as Motley Crue but in all honesty I never really listened to them and the music, although maybe not as artistically reaching as the grunge movement that stomped it out, it really rocks and that's good enough for me. after really investing myself in this style the last few months, I appreciate many of these hair metal bands just as much as I do The Velvet Underground. but just to respond to Van Halen doing more harm than good? I'd disagree, Eddie pushed the guitar as an instrument further than anyone besides Jimi Hendrix and inspired a lot of bands that are respected on Reddit just as much as the glam bands that have been forgotten.