Banjos? Nice. Have a listen to The Absence. Not for any reason related to your post, just because they're awesome. I'll keep name dropping them everywhere until i've converted people.steeple said:metallica, megadeth, iron maiden alittle bit (only "be quick or be dead"), lamb of god, children of bodom, blind guardion,opeth, and anything that has banjos in it.
Also, has anyone ever heard of Under Threat? Really good melodic death metal band. If you can find it, pick up the album 'Deathmosphere'. Some really nice guitar work.