I just discovered this band called Malice Mizer. From what I've heard they're pretty awesome! They're a Japanese band, and I have a thing for Japanese bands. I enjoy them. =) This band uses a lot of keyboard effects though. Like Michael Jackson did in his early stuff. You know, like a harmonica or a trumpet done on keyboard. You can tell straight away lol.

Any bands you've just discovered/started getting into and you're all "WOW THEY ARE THE COOL!"?

I recently begun listening to Manilla Road, a heavy/epic metal act established in the late '70s. One trait of theirs that intrigued me is that they're rather unique; they have their own style and sound, unlike many other fresh groups at that stage in time. Their lyrics are also quite interesting.

On another note, I've really got to "expand my horizons" and listen to music other than metal...

You can try some indie. =) But not that radio-friendly rock-but-call-themselves-indie-because-they-think-they-dress-indie indie. Like Bloc Party, their first album was not bad, but now they're just radio-friendly crap. Indie used to be about being different and experimental, now there's a special indie 'dress code' which, by dressing to, is just conforming.

Saddle Creek Records is THE best indie record label. They have Bright Eyes, The Faint, Son Ambulance, Cursive, The Good Life, etc.

If you want some really good indie albums to get into:
Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Bright Eyes - Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (it's a bit more experimental and electronic) or Letting Off The Happiness (more acoustic)
Cursive - The Ugly Organ

Also, while the following band isn't indie, I really suggest anyone get into them, unless you are an emo, because that just makes the band look bad. Their reputation has already been shot to hell by their recent flock of fans. Anyway, The Cure is a great band. Everyone calls them emo because of their lyrics, but Robert Smith really pours himself into the music. He writes it all, and when you listen to some songs, it makes you think he cries when he writes them. Their album Pornography is a clear indicator of this - the entire album is depressing. However, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me is a little more fun, especially the song Catch.

Also, if you can't enjoy anything that isn't at least rock, then At The Drive-In is definitely awesome. The Mars Volta were originally in At The Drive-In, but ATD-I broke up and the main guys went into The Mars Volta. The rest of the instrumentalists from At The Drive-In formed Sparta.

Okay, I got carried away. I'm just excited by some bands. =P

Sadly all that radio-friendly "indie" puts me off the genre, but I might try listening to some of the more obscure bands. I'm probably going to look into classical music and perhaps some electronic/ambient music, but I don't know where to start.

The Faint are an electronic indie band.

And Gary Numan is an electro-pop artist from the 80s. He's awesome.

Dannii Minogue.

I've heard her music before, a long time ago, actually, but I had no idea who she was. Thanks to the amazing last.fm, I heard her music once more and fell in love with her.

I also recently got into Alanis, but I already knew she existed.

The band I've fallen in love with overnight - I Nine

They're under the radar; a fantastic pop / rock group with a lead singer that has a voice somewhat similar to Avril Lavigne, but sweeter. (I think)

Seven Days of Lonely was the free single on iTunes for a week, and got a 4.5 out of 5 star rating (last time I checked..)

music vid : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojwcaX3Lxsg

If This Room Could Move was their next single, and it's just as good as "Seven Days" (produced by Chad Kroger of Nickleback , heck yea! ^-^)

live proformance : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxksWGJnZ0I

Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Nine

Official website : http://www.inine.com

Their first album, "Heavy Weighs the King" , is on sale on April 29th!!

Enjoy!

Crystal