Alright, so after posting one of my recent journals about how much modern music sucked, I got a lot of "you suck, modern music doesn't suck, you just aren't looking in the right place!"  Well this is true, but I think that I need to clarify that I simply prefer songs with talen behind their creation, so I've compiled a list of bands and songs that I think you guys should ALL check out. 

Now, I know not everyone likes growly vocals or 20+ minute epics, so I'm trying to keep each of these sample-examples relatively short and mellow compared to what I'm used to. Of this entire list, only one song is over 10 minutes (4-song medley of sorts), and not one of them has aggressive growling vocals.  Keep in mind, none of these songs are my favorites from each prospective band, most of my favorites are epic songs (almost all my favorites are 10+ minutes long), so they can wait for another post.  

There's a lot of metal, but it's a pretty versatile list if I do say so myself. Just keep in mind that practically everything here is either high energy or something with a focus on instrumental technique, so make sure you have your high-quality headphones on becuase almost all of these drop the bass in a way only Geddy Lee can.  

Also, I generally tried to avoid super popular bands like Metallica, Black Sabbath, Queen, Zeppelin, etc...becuase really, EVERYONE knows ALL of their songs. yeah, I have Maiden and Megadeth in here, but with lesser known songs.  so tell me what ones you listened to, which ones you like, and PLEASE feel free to leave me any suggestions you can that fit in with this theme, becuase I ADORE learning new bands and new music.  

As an aside, I simply think these songs are good starting points for each band; every song here gives a good example of what to expect and the style each band has without giving away the best or most impressive they have to offer.  With any luck, this will be a stepping stone to finding a new favorite band.  I tried to pick songs on youtube that linked to other songs by the same band for ease of exploration.  

Andromeda - Inner Circle
Progressive Metal, 7:03
It's got an oddly smoothe, catchy main guitar riff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZM3-7EraWI

Andrew WK - Ready to Die
Hard Rock, 2:53
High energy, awesomeness.  forgive the video (I promise this is the only one like this)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20e4AP6qpkI&feature=fvst

Avantasia - Another Angel Down
Symphonic Metal, 5:42
Fast paced awesomeness, trust me. Great riff and everything. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIMaPzGnMy4

Avenged Sevenfold - A Little Piece of Heaven
Metal, 8:02
Probably more popular than most on here, but it's a lesser known song by a well known band. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VurhzANQ_B0&ob=av2e

Bang Camaro - Rock of Ages
Arena Rock, 6:04
In my opinion, Bang Camaro's best song.  you might know them from Harmonix Games. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMiqIK0xg14

Barenaked Ladies - Falling For the First Time
Alternative Rock, 3:40
Good band, good song. No, they didn't just do the "One Week" song.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibsxpihjKmE&ob=av2e

Blind guardian - Time Stands Still
Melodic Folk Metal - 4:54
It's like the music that Sauron would rock out to. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=320Te91vWnY

coheed and Cambria - Guns of Summer
Progressive Rock, 4:48
It's kind of in your face, but all sorts of awesome.  Give it a shot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUV-L9e1jHE

Dream Theater - Regression/Overture 1928/Strange Deja-Vu/Through Her Words
Progressive Metal, 11:57
**Note** This one is actually 4 tracks comprising the entire first 3 scenes off the concept album "Metropolis Pt II: scenes from a Memory",  Listen to the whole
thing, it's epic. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKN-uCyBYfM&feature=related 

Edguy - King of Fools
Power Metal, 3:35
I have no idea what this is?  symphonic progressive power metal?  It's pretty awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgfgFpFaxgw

Elvenking - Another Haven
Folk Power Metal, 5:06
really beautiful sounding, seemingly taken right from Tolkiens world.  fantasy metal at its best. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqp2d_Cot_o

flogging Molly - Black Friday Rule
Ska-Punk, 7:00
It's pretty good. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaFzuiVVCrU

focus - Hocus Pocus
Progressive, 6:41
It's...so much energy!  Awesome! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGaVUApDVuY

Iron Maiden - Age of Innocence
Metal, 6:10
Another epic band with a song you've probably never heard before.  Awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9J3rHHVk94

Kamelot - March of Mephisto
Power Metal, 5:28
I dare you to put this on and not immediately place it alongside any fantasy epic battle scene ever.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV_94f3CsPQ

Liquid Tension Experiment - Paradigm shift
Progressive Metal, 8:56
9 minute long instrumental showing some of the best Portnoy, Petrucci, Myung, and rudess have to offer. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pofqHfSvy_8

Ludo - Love Me Dead
Alternative Rock, 3:36
Cute, quirky song.  Have fun! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XH3oMNKApI&ob=av2e

MEgadeth - She-Wolf 
Live Metal, 8:46
Mustaine kinda sucks in this one, but the song is epic.  Seriously. 3-way solo battle for 5 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USiBoja76yo

Molly Hatchet - Gator Country
Southern Rock, 6:17
If nothing else, pay attention to the solo at the 'end' ('end' being the entire second half of the song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlnfhl8auY4

Nightwish - 10th Man Down
Symphonic Metal, 5:19
Everyone knows Nightwish, most even probably know this song, but listen to it anyway, it's epic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaEY7Z3QsOA

Owl City - The Saltwater Room
Pop-Electronica, 4:55
Little something to lighten the mood after all that hardcore super fast metal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usR7mMHUhlY

Pantera - The Art of Shredding
Metal, 4:17
Everyone knows Pantera, but listen anyway! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGKJxKj0WM

Rhapsody - Rage of the Winter
Folk Metal, 6:11
Not the best song, but I don't want to introduce you to their 10+minute epics yet. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG6ztRsh0iw

Rufio - White Lights
Straight-Edge Punk, 2:xx
Again, something to calm down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCkEj-6dpQw

Rush - Red Barchetta
Progressive Rock, 6:09
Seriously, any prog fan knows this, but to all those who don't, do. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

Soilwork - Light The Torch
Metal, 3:24
Just listen to it, ignore the video (I didn't even know they were popular enough to do videos...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGp8kQcsWEU&feature=related

Sonata Arctica - My Dream is But a Drop of Fuel for a Nightmare 
Symphonic Progressive Power Metal?, 6:13
There's an intrumental version as well, but I like the one with lyrics much more. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5P53ozwaec

Streetlight Manifesto - Point/counterpoint 
Ska-Punk, 5:27
Some Ska-Punk for you all! Great instrumentals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiY-SgAFUUY

Sum 41 - angels with Dirty Faces
Punk-Metal, 2:46
Popular band, not so well-known song. Pretty hardcore for a punk band. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7e5ppj5ylo

Sybreed - Doomsday Party
Progressive Power Metal, 4:19
Really awesome, high energy, speedy progressive power metal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbb0slYezOE&feature=fvst

Symphony X - Accolade II
Symphonic PRogressive Metal, 7:53 
Great song, not even my favorite song from them, but they have so many good songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3HBM9ZAd1c

Valient Thorr - I am the Law
Alternative Metal, 4:02
Lots of energy, very unique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a68g-5atPkM

Zebrahead - I'm Money 
Punk, just a fun song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPQFahXDOvY

Sometimes I hate this forum code, messing up my formatting.

Anyone know how to embed? would it be easier to just copy and paste the actual videos into the forum?

Edited due to new policy :D

soooo, anyone gonna contribute?

I'd ask that people not embed because it's unnecessary and it makes loading any thread much, much slower. 50+ embedded videos a page would be a disaster.

That being said, I'm currently listening to:

Blur - Parklife: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7x28-V66eQ&feature=related

One of the most awesomely British songs I've ever heard and I'm an American.

oh man, that is such an awesome song! you're right, VERY british!  I keep forgetting Blur is British...since Song 2 is like the most american song ever. 

You post only clasics, I thought that you were posting about new and actual bands (white lies, interpol, kasabian, kooks, klonks,etc, in the alternative department)

Song 2 was Blur's attempt to make fun of early 90s American Grunge music. Ironically, it ended up being their biggest hit in the United States. And it has been a staple of bad car commercials ever since.

Gonna put down the entirety of one of my favorite albums here: Dream Theater's Black Clouds and Silver Linings

A nightmare to Remember - 16:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADX9DdURn8o

A Rite of Passage - 8:36

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GipraonNlNo

Wither - 5:28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ME2lzgvmYY&feature=related

The Shattered Fortress - 12:56

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFzdHydkbbE

The Best of Times - 13:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG7r32tQTak

The Count of Tuscany - 19:17

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4yzYKIiV9Y

Seriously some awesome songs here. A Nightmare to Remember is about a car accident, A Rite of PAssage is about the freemasons and conspiracies, Wither is about the song writing process, The Shattered Fortress is the last song in the alcoholics Anonymous Suite, The BEst of times is an homage to a father lost, and The Count of Tuscany is...about the count of tuscany that scared the band members. The Count of Tuscany, while almost 20 minutes, is the only dream theater song that has a lot of empty filler in it...the first 11 minutes are pretty awesome, but the remaining 8 minutes are all pretty mellow and calm. great way to end an album if you ask me.

....what?  I 'only' post classics in spite of MOST of those songs and bands are from the year 2000 or later?  2/3 of my list is all from that time period, even the Iron Maiden song was from one of their latest albums.  What's not an 'actual' band?  

snob much?