Well, here are my top 5 favorite bands... I won't put Alter Bridge on this list, it's obvious because I'm here
5. Lost Horizon
Probably the best power metal band out there. Insane vocals, guitar and rhythm section, good empowering lyrics. My number one band for studying and taking exams
Unfortunately they only got two albums out before they stopped working. Here's the song that got me hooked on them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gpjy6Pt6ng
4. Wintersun
This is a band that's a bit out of my style since it features some harsh vocals, which I generally dislike. But their music is epic, so are the lyrics. Nothing better than walking around listening to Wintersun in some harsh winter weather. Here's a perfect song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TokCV4W_CU
3. Kamelot
Where do I start? I've loved this band for a long time. Unfortunately, their latest album wasn't a hit with me because they've changed the singer and brought in Tommy Karevik instead of Roy Khan. For me Khan is simply irreplaceable. Here's one of the reasons why, his emotion is just overwhelming (and that whole DVD is perfect):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSF7a5sEdhw
2. Nightwish
Also a band I've loved for a long time, though I wasn't really that much of a fan when Olzon was the singer. Love both Tarja and Floor though. And Floor has really impressed me since she joined NW, they're a different band in a good way. She's my favorite female vocalist now, with Tarja coming in second. Floor's version of my favorite NW song... amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3brcfttchzA
1. Sonata Arctica
My long time favorite band. Although their last album disappointed me pretty much, a love of seven years is not easily forgotten. As for the albums, my personal top 3 are Reckoning Night, Unia and Days Of Grays (4th, 5th and 6th). The first two are classic power metal influenced by Stratovarius, third a bit less, and the last one is "rock" experimental crap (crap for Sonata's songwriting standards, but not really THAT bad). Here's one of my favorite live performances of a song they don't play so often (also one of my favorite songs). Myles and Tony are tied as my number one male vocalist. See why!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeCnYeNo4Nw
Edit: left the links only, this is taking forever to load