I agree totally with the original statement.
I could name my favourite uk and us bands on my hands:
Bal-Sagoth, Maiden, ND, Discordance Axis, Brutal Truth, Cryptopsy, Devin all spring to mind
The list of continental European bands I like on the other hand is virtually endless.
Quality coming out of every pore....
Reasons for this I think include Veil the Sky's point about a liberal music press allowing freedom of creativity.
Also I think it is attributable to those long Scandinavian winter nights with nothing to do but practice!