Stefan,
I had forgotten to mention the bit about Sevendust. EXCELLENT band and heavily underated. I think it was because they came out during an alternative metal "burst" but they are one of the bands that stand out that come from that burst. Others would be Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold.
I really think Sevendust completely broke the mold with Chapter 7. Return of the Prodigal Son remind me of classic Kings X, only heavier and more soulful. The drumwork on that album is easily my favorite because its straightforward yet kind of progressive in the way the song patterns change.