Many of these you may have already heard of:
Edenbridge - Founded in 1998, by vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher, guitarist / keyboarder Lanvall and bassist Kurt Bednarsky, this Austrian melodic metal band recently signed to Napalm Records. Edenbridge has 5 studio albums, with the most recent, "The Grand Design," being release in 2006.
www.edenbridge.org
Leaves Eyes - A wonderful female fronted metal band from Norway, showcasing the talents of Liv Kristine. Male vocals courtesy of her husband, Alaexander Krull (Atrocity).
www.leaveseyes.de
Lullacry - Currently with four studio albums, this somewhat "pop-metal" band has toured in support of Nightwish and played multiple festivals including the 2006 Female Metal Voices Fest.
www.lullacry.com
Lunatica - Released their debut album in 2001 shortly after connecting with lead vocalist, Andrea. Since then this epic, melodic metal Swedish band has released two more studio albums, with the most recent, "The Edge of Infinity," coming out in the fall of 2006.
www.lunatica.ch
Visions of Atlantis - Opening for Epica on their fall US tour this year. Their vocalist, Melissa Ferlaak, will also be the emcee for this year's FOTV festival.
www.visionsofatlantis.com
Angtoria - Singer Sara Jezebel Deva is the main backup vocalist for Cradle of Filth; Brothers Tommy and Christopher Rein are the other founding members of the band. Their 2006 debut release "God Has a Pan for Us All" is amazing! Check out the video for the title track/single.
www.angtoria.com
Benedictum - Singer Veronica Freeman used to be the lead for a Dio cover band, or at least thats what I heard no doubt, shes the closest thing Ive heard to Dio in a long time. This heavy metal band hails from San Diego, California and released their debut album, "Uncreation," in 2006. ("Uncreation" was my #1 album for last year.) They recently played Chicago Powerfest this year and I believe opened for Doro earlier this year on part of her European tour.
www.bendictum.net or
www.myspace.com/benedictum
Shadowside - Brazilian heavy metal with powerful female vocals; Debut album "Theatre of Shadows," was released in 2005.
www.shadowside.ws
Godyva - Italian metal band formed in early 2000; lead singer Lady Godyva (Christina Argese) brings both melody and power to the project. The band released one demo ("Advent") in 2002 and released their first full-length album, "In Good and Evil," in the summer of 2006.
www.godyva.it
Gwyllion This symphonic metal band from Belgium formed in 2003. Vocalist Valerie Vanhoutte joined shortly before the recording of the bands demo in the spring of 2004. Since then Gwyllion released their first full-length album, "Awakening the Dream," in March of 2007.
www.gwyllion.com
Triosphere Melodic heavy metal from Norway; Formed in fall of 2004; Their debut album "Onwards" was released in Europe earlier this year and an American release date is set for spring 2007 through Candlelight Records.
www.myspace.com/triosphere
Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for other bands.