Uhm.
1) Opeth
2) Dargaard
3) My Dying Bride
...I can't really choose past this point, there are just far too many bands who are all really good, like Katatonia, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Camel, Anathema, Virgin Black, Nine Inch Nails, Iron Maiden, Daylight Dies (
incredible live), Farmakon (might only be one album, but it's easily one of the best this year, if not
the best.. although Damnation has a say there too), Dave Caswell... etc.
Sorry for listing a lot more than 5, but I couldn't narrow it down any further and 3 seemed far too few to mention.
EDIT: this thread gets 5 stars. Congratulations!!