Most of my favorite bands are from other countries, and most of them are symphonic or melodic metal, death metal, gothic metal, folk metal or industrial music, so naturally it's hard for me to have a conversation with anyone in the US about music in general. In my opinion most of these bands are superior to the typical stuff you here in the US because there are so many more elements they use in their music. For example a metal band might use your typical guitar/drums/bass but a symphonic metal band might add in an entire orchestra. To me the music sounds so much richer and deeper and more worthwhile. Anywise, here's my list of bands I love that almost no one I know has heard of (without me having introduced them to it first):
Nightwish (They're starting to actually become more known in the states but not until recently when they started touring here)
Ensiferum
Battlelore
Kalmah
Eluveitie
Angelspit
Tristania
Sirenia
Within Temptation
Dark Moor
Rhapsody of Fire (probably more known in the US but still a bit obscure)
Dark Tranquility
and a bunch more that I won't go on to list at the moment...
