I've had the urge lately to check out some new bands that are mentoined often on the board. But after doing so, I have mostly been left feeling like, "Yeah, I see the talent, but they just don't appeal to me." Here's some relevant background:
1. Musical influences: My first rock album (and album at all) was by Queen back in 1979 or 1980, I think. Good start, no? I got into '80s rock pretty deeply. Bands like Def Leppard, Scorpions, Whitesnake, etc. Mindcrime and Empire sealed me as a diehard Queensryche fan, and I gradually began to expand out to music that was a little different from the standard '80s hard rock formula. I kind of grew into some alternative stuff, like RHCP's, Pearl Jam, and AiC. Grew to love Pink Floyd. Grew to like some heavier thrash with Metallica, Megadeth, a bit of Testament here and there, and Flotsam & Jetsam. Although I listened to DT since I&W, I didn't really become a hardcore DT fan until 1999. Since then, I've expanded into some modern prog rock, including Neal Morse and Transatlantic. Not really a power metal fan, but I like a lot of Symphony X. Got into some female fronted metal bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, and Epica, but haven't really found others I like.
2. Musical dislikes: In general, I don't like '60s or '70s rock, with a few exceptions, although some of it is lately starting to grow on me. I tend not to like screamy or growls in general, but they can work well in limited use (I like Static Impulse, for example; I also like the male vocals in connjunction with Simone's in Epica). I haven't really liked any of the "early" prog I've heard from this era either. I don't like bands with satanic lyrics or lyrics that are very anti-God an any sense. For example, I love, love, LOVE Epica's sound. But their very anti-religious messages really take away any enjoyment I might have, so I rarely listen to them anymore.
3. Stuff I've listened to fairly recently that didn't click: Peter Wildoer is such a standup guy and great musician that I really tried getting into Darkane. From some of the songs I found on YouTube, it just doesn't work for me. Too screamy or something. Tried Trivium. Kinda the same (although I'm not sure I'm ready to write them off just yet as there were things I did like about their sound--need to hear more). Unexpect--just...what? Maybe I just don't get them. I like complex music, but they are just so chaotic that I don't find anything to latch onto. And the male vocals. I've also listened to a few power metal bands that people have suggested, but...I dunno. I feel like, given my musical tastes, I should like them. But I just don't. Firewind, for instance. Good band, but they do nothing for me whatsoever.
4. Most listened to on iTunes lately: Transatlantic, Redemption, Dream Theater, I see a couple of Epica, Symphony X, and Slash songs high up the list, some Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation, and Neal Morse just below that...
I know this is definitely a tl;dnr post for many of you. But so many of the "recommend me some music" threads start off with a ton of questions about what the person likes that I thought I'd throw a few bones out there. So, fire away.