A symphonic metal band, Within Temptation is overall very accessible and features the beautiful voice of Sharon den Adel.

After leaving Theatre of Tragedy in 2003, celebrated vocalist Liv Kristine formed Leaves' Eyes, a symphonic masterpiece of epic proportions. Her husband, Alexander Krull provides some death grunts, but only on a couple of songs, and it fits perfectly.

A band quite similar to Nightwish, features female vocals by Melissa Ferlaak (formerly of Aesma Daeva) and clean male vocals by Mario Plank. The sound is more mainstream, but the orchestration sets it apart from other bands.

With a more mainstream sound along the lines of Evanescence's Fallen, Lullacry delivers some of what might be known as "pop metal". Tanja Lainio's voice is not particularly strong, but the album on the whole is quite enjoyable.

Unfortunately, lead singer Anneke van Giersbergen left The Gathering last August to spend more time with her family, but we can still enjoy this last CD of hers. Though most Gathering fans were quite disappointed by the lack of heavyness in this release, I still find that it is a worthwile buy for fans of this genre.

Though new lead singer Stephanie Luzie has what some might call an odd voice, I find that Metatron is a very good example of creative thinking. There is no definite direction that the album takes; right from the beginning, you have no idea wheree it will go next. Wonderful album.

One of the most amazing symphonic metal bands, up there with Nightwish. Simone Simmons' voice is amazing and paired with Mark Jansen's male death growls, an entirely hypnotizing atmosphere is created.

While this band, fronted by lead singer Free Dominguez, is not symphonic in any way, it instead combines dance and techno beats with heavy quitar riffs that are quite amazing. A must-have CD.

Very much like Within Temptation. In fact Sharon den Adel is actually featured in one of the songs. This CD comes as a very nice change from all of the female singers who reach the operatic levels, as Charlotte Wessels has more of an ordinary voice, very strong and beautful. A must-have.

Very reminiscent of Within Temptation, Krypteria has a slightly edgier sound that is made beautiful by Korean lead singer Ji-In Cho. One of the best.

After Forever's sixth album, with soprano Floor Jansen and death grunter Sander Gommans. They are quite like Epica, but this release features less grunts than before. This is absolutely amazing.

Many fans were upset by Sirenia' somewhat commercial reentry into the gothic/symphonic metal scene, the new lead singer, Monika Pederson, having somewhat more mainstream vocals than previous singers. However, I disagree and this is a fantastic album. Also features minimal death grunts by Morten Veland.

Most people find this band very unusual, but I find it quite interesting and very good. Agnette M. Kirkevaag has a unique, yet lovable voice.

Not many people know of this band, but it is really one of the heaviest ones I have ever heard. Magali Luyten's strong alto voice easily rides just above the music, and the guitars are awsome.

Ah, the first solo album from former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen. Though this CD was released as an import back in November, it wasn't actually released in the United States until this past February. I really do like this album. It is a great departure from her work with Nightwish, but I truly think this is quality work. This release features two US bonus tracks.

This is a pretty good album overall. Hailing from Norway, this band has moved swiftly forward on the female metal trend. This is worth looking into.

I know that many people think that the fantasy metal genre is a bit overrated and contrived, but I think that Battlelore can hold their own against such accusations. The three vocalists, two females and a male death growler, give power to this album and make the Tolkein-remniscient concept shine through.

I don't know what it is about this band, but something keeps my attention throughout the entire album. It could just be that the songs are genuinely good, the vocalists (both female and male) are fabulous, and at the end, you're left wondering when the next record will be out. 5 stars.

Atargatis is a side project by Stephanie Luzie, the lead singer of Darkwell. They have another album, Wasteland, that's also good, but I prefer this one, Nova. It is a bit like Darkwell music, except perhaps that this is a bit more ethereal. This is the American release version of the CD.