Hmz... not an easy question... My top three tends to change from time to time... It depends a bit on my mood, or what concerts I've recently been to as well. When I've just been to a concert of a band that managed to surprise and impress me live, they tend to rise higher in my top favourite bands for a while.

Currently my top 3 would be:

1) Metallica: One of the first metal bands I started listening to. Also one of my favourite vocalists. Very strong live performances as well, have seen them live 7 times now and every time it's one hell of a party. Have only seen them live with the current lineup tho.
2) Guns 'N' Roses: One of the first rock bands I started listening to and probably one of the first rock / metal CDs I bought. Sadly I never got the chance to see them live in the old lineup.
3) HammerFall: One of my favourite vocalists. Have seen them live 5 times now, again, one big party every time.

1. Blind Guardian
2. Hammerfall
3. Gamma Ray

END

In no perticular order: Hammerfall, Ensiferum and TYR

The problem is metal bands are like pretzels, you can't eat just one. That being said I also love Sabaton, Slayer, Amon Amarth, Tarot, Nocturnal Rites to name a few. Of course, my guilty pleasure band is Man-O-War.

I think soon Peter will say that you have to go back to topic..


However. Top three bands.. Oh, how difficult! I'm so mixed in my music taste, I like many genres. In that case, i'm choosing Hammerfall, Stone Sour and Delain.

Hammerfall; I think it's the very first band in metal that I actually fell in love with. I don't know how many years I have listened to them but it's many year. Joacim Cans has a magical voice, a gift. His voice, and the others in the band make it all complete. It's perfect. The concert I watched in May was an experience, something I never will forget.

Delain; I was tipped about Delain by a friend , the friend who also tipped me about this forum. The first song I heard was "Frozen". I thought the song was wonderful, it sounded like delightful music in my ears. I think this band is so special. It's something different. The singer makes the band. I've heard many songs with Delain, one of my favourites is Sleepwalkers dream.

Stone Sour; For those who don't know anything about Stone Sour, I can tell you that the singer in Slipknot are singing in this band. I think his voice is wonderful, dark but perfect. I was tipped about Stone Sour by my ex-boyfriend, or how I gonna call it. Ever since, I can't almost stand a day without listening to them. I love them.

These are my top three. But the fact is that I could make a top twenty, which would contain all the bands that I love.

I moved all that off topic material into a new thread.

If I was not in such a good mood I would spread warnings

Direct link there

Peter, you need another hobby, seeing as you obviously have too much spare time on your hands......

Nah this is keeping my hands full

Back on topic now will you?

That´s really hard to answer. I would say my top three bands change weekly
But at the moment:

1. Hammerfall
Since the very first song was released in Germany I love Hammerfall!!! The music can always lift my mood when I´m sad.
Hard to explain, but it touches something inside me and everytime I listen to it I remember why I like Heavy metal so much!!!
And of course I love the lyrics! Joacim is a real word-sorcerer! All the warrior , fighting , glory and honour stuff is an ultimate metal- stereotype and I love it!!! And, of course, the best live band I ever seen!!!!!!!!!! Hammerfall is and will always be my number 1!

2. Saltatio Mortis
I like the lyrics very much and it´s easy to listen because it´s german. And I love the voice of Alea, the singer,(and I admit, that he is realy cute )

3. Sonata Arctica
What can I say about them? Tony has a wonderful voice, they are damed good live preformers and I love to sing along with.

For some reason I hope that not a single metal band will ever become my number 1 on the list...

ill go with rexxy....
Hammerfall, Ensiferum, Týr