I've noticed a lot of people in here only seem aware of metal bands that are very popular, radio friendly, etc. Many of you also listen to other ones, but I see a lot of people just keep on with their old metallica, megadeth, etc.

There are a lot of bands out there that have fantastic guitar work, and aren't on the radio. In fact, even hardened metalheads haven't heard a lot of them, I'll start off.

Ring of Fire - This is Mark Boals' current band (Rising Force singer), features Tony Macalpine on guitar (you should all know who he is), Scott Weingart on keys (local guy actually), Philip Bynoe on bass (of Steve Vai's band), and Virgil Donati on drums (the guys a legend, you should also have heard of him). At one time the band also had Vitalij Kuprij (once again, you should all know of him) on keys, and George Bellas on guitars. http://www.ringoffiremusic.com there are plenty of audio samples, listen to them!

Sinergy - Kinda somewhere inbetween heavy, prog, and power metal. Very good guitars, a lot of good interplay between Alexi Laiho and Roope Latvala.

Rhapsody - Awesome power/symphonic metal band out of Italy. Luca Turilli is a fantastic player, doesn't get a lot of credit though http://www.lucaturilli.net http://www.mightyrhapsody.com

Hopefuly some of you can add to this :D!