Sounds of the Underground

For some reason I seem to be drawn to underground and often obscure music, perhaps some of it is trying to be ahead of the herd - or being a frustrated talent scout - I don't really know which. But I suspect that it's more of a secret society thing and knowing about something that only a few others really know about and more to the point I often feel rather irritated when the cat gets out of the bag and the music press get involved and over-egg the proverbial pudding. Nightwish, Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation immediately spring to mind...as I liked them before they really came onto the radar and their more recent releases seem to be lacking something.