Fear Of God - "Within The Veil" had been my favourite metal-album for about a decade, especially because of Dawn Crosby´s fascinating vocal work, and with more than 1,200 spins it´s still the album which got the most spins
Atrox (Monika Edvardsen-era) - Right now I consider "Terrestrials" my favourite metal album of all times and maybe in some years it might take over the no. 1-position in my eternal playlist. Monika Edvardsen´s vocals on "Contentum", "Terrestrials" and "Orgasm" are probably the most unique I´ve ever heard on a metal album. The same goes for her lyrics and the cover artwork.
Madder Mortem - My favourite non-defunct female-fronted metal band. Just like Atrox, they are also from Norway, and they have a rather original sound IMO. Their vocalist Agnete M. Kirkevaag has one of the most powerful female voices in metal - maybe best to be heard on the song "Resonatine" (from their album "Deadlands") and the second part of "Hangman" (from their current album "Desiderata"), yet she can also sing with a very soft/tender voice. I think she covers a wide range.
The Third And The Mortal - Though they already abandoned their metal influences on their second album "Painting On Glass", I´d still like to mention them, because their debut album "Tears Laid In Earth" (as well as their first EP "Sorrow") is an absolute masterpiece as far as atmospheric doom-influenced music with heavenly voices is concerned.
Stolen Babies - Metal purists might complain that they are not a metal band, but I don´t care. I think they´ve got a refreshingly different sound and I really enjoy their debut album "There Be Squabbles Ahead" very much. It happens very rarely nowadays that I discover new metal(-related) bands, whose albums impress me. This is one of the few exceptions.
OK, this shall do for now. This subforum seems to be a very deserted place and I guess there won´t be many people who´ll read this anyway. Maybe I´ll mention some more bands in the future.
np: Stolen Babies - "Gathering Fingers"