1. Cult of Luna
2. Callisto
3. Neurosis
4. Isis
5. Mastodon
6. Opeth
7. Black Sabbath
8. Empyrium
can't think of anymore at the moment

^Solid. Recently bought Eternal Kingdom and Salvation and really like them both, though I don't know if I'm ready to rank Cult of Luna above Neurosis.

Probably the only band apart from Judas Priest to keep people interested in Metal between 1980 and the Thrash movement. Also constantly sell out EVERY gig they play with the same line up since 1983 and still don't do hit singles. The hardest working and most respected band in Metal.

If you don't like them that is fair enough but overrated? not a chance. They have earned every accolade bestowed upon them.

I think I like doing this as more of a rotating list than list my all-time favorites, it's more fun that way. Here's who I've been digging lately:

Sons of Otis
Ufomammut
Lento
Electric Wizard
Noothgrush
Warhorse
Graves at Sea
Ultraphallus
Orange Goblin
Iron Monkey

Hard to pick a favorite from Orange Goblin. Been playing "Thieving in the House of God" a lot lately, especially Black Egg. Been wanting to get around to Ufomamut...love that name.

These are the only metal artist who've released albums that have stuck with me. Kayo Dot isn't even purely metal, so I don't know how they fit.

Kayo Dot
Boris
Converge
Electric Wizard
Atheist
Necrophagist

Some metal bands I enjoy from time to time: Anthrax (purely Among the Living), Arsis, Wolves in the Throne Room, Dillinger Escape Plan, Megadeth (purely Rust in Peace).

Metal has always been hard for me. The majority of the stuff that people wish to recommend me is too boiler-plate or run-of-the-mill for me to even feign interest. It seems to work best when I sporadically find stuff I like on my own.

probably the only thing I like about them

the screeching

fair enough.

but.

from my experience, nowadays they only have 2 types of fans - their old fans from the 80s and kids that only listen to them because they thing that Iron Maiden is what you should listen if you want to be a metalhead. they grow out of it very quickly.

and no hit singles? then, what do you call rainmaker?

You do realize Mikael Åkerfeldt worships Sabbath? Move em on up!

01. Metallica
02. Burzum
03. My Dying Bride
04. Enslaved
05. Evocation
06. Deathstars
07. Crematory
08. Slipknot
09. System Of A Down
10. Emperor

The only Orange Goblin album I have so far is Healing Through Fire but I'm certainly digging it. And, yeah, Ufomammut are really good, definitely worth your while.