I have to admit that I am probably more pleased with the overall balance this year than ever before. I realize you can classify bands anyway you prefer, but this truly has something for everyone in my book:
Sonata Arctica- melodic Euro
After Forever- gothic, female
Primal Fear- German power
Pagan's Mind- prog/power hybrid
Threshold- prog
Redemption- prog
Virgin Steele- traditional metal
Firewind- melodic/power
Communic- heavy hybrid
Raintime- growlies
Sonata Arctica- melodic Euro
After Forever- gothic, female
Primal Fear- German power
Pagan's Mind- prog/power hybrid
Threshold- prog
Redemption- prog
Virgin Steele- traditional metal
Firewind- melodic/power
Communic- heavy hybrid
Raintime- growlies