Hey,
On a side note, if anyone who hasn't listened to these bands before and would like to, there's a great internet radio site called, Pandora Internet Radio. Just create a FREE acount, type in an artist you want to hear, and it'll find the artist and then explore similar atist and songs. It really is a great site. Good sound quality as well.

Most of us here are actually aware of Pandora.  If you search on the term, it comes up many times in old threads dating back a few years.

The problem with Pandora is that it can only be used in the USA now. Used to be able to use it during school time (I live in Canada, BTW), but I went to use it a few months back, and their license says they can only play in the US. I'm less than an hour from the US border into New York, but I'm still out-of-jurisdiction.
Thats why I've found Last FM, or even Yahoo! Music, better for this type of thing.

What happens if you try to access it via a proxy and use a US zip code when signing up?  I've always wondered if there was a way around it.

I used a US Zip code when signing up, and the e-mail address is under a US zip code. So maybe they detect your residence by your IP Address..? *shrugs* I don't know alot about computers, to be honest.

I tried it once, and found out it was rather limited, as it usually worsks only for rather well-known artists, therefore most of the more obscure stuff goes on unheard.

Generally my "internet bible" for music is discogs.com.

Just FYI to those participating in this discussion about Pandora, I've just (successfully!) split it out from the old thread, so that we could keep the Epic Gothic songs thread on-topic.

Great idea, Luna!
I would've loved to go on about Pandora, but I was afraid of dragging the thread way too far off-topic.
But since we have a thread for it...
As centurion said, Pandora doesn't have enough selection of obscure artists. Heck, back when I used Pandora at school, when Yahoo! Music was blocked, I was about 17 or so, and I couldn't find any Samael for the life of me. Imagine trying to find some Goth bands!
Although a music networking/streaming/radio site may be good for some, I find the best way to discover music is through word-of-mouth.
And besides, as I had said, Pandora is only really available for people residing in the US, whereas Last FM reaches around the world (I think so, anyways. Fair few members around the world have used it, after all).

I have to agree with ArcAngel. I prefer trying to find a band with simple google and yahoo search I have been succesful.

TheWhiteEmo, I've actually found that talking to members on the forums helps with any alternative form of music. For example, when I asked about bands similar to DragonForce or Sonata Arctica, I got some great responses, including stuff almost identical, and some bands that are along the lines, but have a different sound, such as Blind Guardian.
The forum members have lots of good musical suggestions, really.