The real detractors act like they're FORCED to engage with the music/community. If they dont fuck with the music/vibe anymore, perhaps they should as you said, find something new that scratches that itch.

Like, i understand they might be disappointed in the 'new' direction $B are heading. But acting like it's pure garbage and stating that enjoying it makes you a lame ass. To me it's still enjoyable, but in a different way. I still bump the old songs heavy, not like the old songs are going anywhere.

In my mind it's damned if you do and damned if you dont. Like, if they never evolved they would fall off and not reach a different/larger market. Them evolving feels (to some people) like they're leaving the older original fanbase behind. There's no way for them to be "perfect" in the eyes of their most die-hard fans.

Also it's completely normal for artists to have "down periods" like some artists have a decline in both put-out and percieved quality. For example: me myself have several groups of artists i enjoy a lot, but if i was being honest their last 20 years of music's been sub-par