Yeesh, @Thraeg, what a list(s)! I feel remarkably narrow in my metal preferences. :)
It’s been pretty much all symphonic metal for me lately. I’ve listened to Nightwish for years, but never really looked deeper to what people are getting up to over there in the Nordic countries. But then I discovered Delain (opening at a Nightwish concert) and that led to Amaranthe, We Are the Catalyst, The Murder of My Sweet, and more. It’s pretty much all I’ve listened to for the last few months (aside from the occasional Metallica or KMFDM break). Most of it is older, not new in 2016, but it’s new to me!
Delain - April Rain
Amaranthe - Drop Dead Cynical
We Are the Catalyst - Delusion
The Murder of My Sweet - Unbreakable
Nightwish - Elan
It’s not a coincidence that all those bands have strong female vocal leads, and most of the songs have fairly heavy classical and/or electronica influences. I’ve found my tastes drifting toward the cleaner vocals and more melodic music over the years. Far cry from my Vengeance Rising fanboy days.