What kind of opinions? Well heres my go, I have heard most of those, but some I havn't heard enough to really get a grasp on...
Marduk- I am not too into these guys, they try too hard to be as evil as possible, not atmospheric, and kind of boring.
Burzum- Infamous, Varg was incredible, the atmosphere he conveyed was surpassed by no other. Not too evil, not too doomy, It is so hard to describe this man.
Enslaved- One of the black metal bands that started 10 years ago, and has really shined and deserved the praise they have gotten. Each album is different, but not completely, that range from extreme black metal to newer more stoner/black metal. Up there with the likes of Emperor.
In Flames- One of the originators of the really melodic swedish death sound. Typical dual guitar Harmonies, often cheery, and always melodic, many say they have evolved into something not as good as they used to be, which I would agree with. Albums like Whoravle and Jester Race, though, are classics.
Anathema- I am not too familiar with this band, but their earliest stuff is much like death metal, but they have evolved so much since then to an acoustic rock/doom metal hybrid, and their past leads up to this.
Amorphis- Yet another band who has made big changes. My fav album is personally Tales from the Thousand Lakes, which includes death vocals with very well done progressive death metal. They have since then become a much more progressive unit, and more original, but I don't think it beats the feeling of the older stuff.
Immortal- Can't deny their greatness and inspiration in black metal. Up their with Emperor, and Enslaved Immortal was a more thrashy outfit with utilized for the most part only one guitar, bass, and drums in the most full sounding three piece to have ever existed. Lately they have become much more progressive.
Old Mans Child- Hmmm, I can't describe why I love these guys, they just have always have had a sound like no other, but most easily compared to mid-era Dimmu Borgir, but more guitar driven. A lot of the times its almost..bouncy, not very evil
Soilwork- My fav along with In Flames in the melodic death category, but they are much more talented, and have a more progressive, and extreme sound. Also are much more atmospheric, now that I think about it, I think I like them more than In Flames.
Dissection- A must have, melodic death/black metal, this band needs no introduction.
Children of Bodom- Many don't like, but I love em, have all of the CDs. Extremely talented symphonic black/speed metal which is majorly influenced by classical music, and has many classically styled melodies. Singer/Lead Guitarist is incredible, and really stands out.
Carcass- THE Death metal band in my opinion.
Samael- I have never been a huge fan of neither their older or newer stuff. For some reason they are always one of the first bands that someone new to black or death metal hears of. The older stuff is more black metal, and pretty simple, it's nice to just hear some old stuff sometimes, while the newer is more interesting industrial metal somewhat.
Zyklon- Emperor, being my favorite band, I presumed I would love these guys. I wasn't too impressed upon initial listens, but from more they have grown on me.
Whew, there ya go, I was bored enough to do that. Hope it helps. As for recommendations...
Agalloch- Indescribable, beautiful music which on the first listen may come off as sounding a little bit like Opeth, but really isn't at all. "Oaken cabin in the snowy woods" metal.
Borknagar- One of my fav bands ever, atmospheric, and more epic than black meta. A must...I prefer the first two albums because of the atmosphere. Very hard to describe these guys with justice.
Satyricon- If you like Emperor, then you must have. Their first three albums, Dark Medieval Times, The Shadowthrone, and Nemesis Divina are some of the best black metal records EVER, dark, full of atmosphere, and perfect blend of rawness and epic melodies. My fav black metal band along with Emperor.
