Ah yes, and it seems like Nordic metal bands also tend to be SO much better than others, in general. There are a couple of German (Haggard, Xandria) and Dutch (Epica, Delain) metal bands that I like, but it seems like most of my favorites seem to come from the Sweden/Norway/Finland area (Therion, Sirenia, Leaves' Eyes).

Perhaps something about the climate is conducive to producing good metal bands. :D

And there is of course Steve n' Seagulls, whom I think are a MOST EXCELLENTLY good band, but I don't think they quite count as metal, eh? XD ... Or do they? :D