That doesn't prevent them from being overrated NCG, being unknown to the average person doesn't make them unknown to the average metalhead, who are the people always saying they are amazing, then frankly they are simply average.
__________________________

I say the bands that people here know of, aside from jrgen, and discuss are overrated, because they are the entry level bands to metal that so few people move past to find the better bands, the truely great bands worth listening to. When you look at the metal world from the perspective that I do, you come to realize there are better bands getting less attention out there, such as Sanctuary (Warrel Dane's second band) ... who got next to no attention, where as Nevermore (Warrel Dane's big and third band) gets so much attention that it is rediculous really. Compare Iron Maiden to Angel Witch and you will be wondering why Angel Witch didn't hit it big, listen to Artillery and then Metallica and Megadeth are suddenly worthless. Upon hearing Brimstone there is no longer a need for Children of Bodom. The point is, the bands I call overrated I call that only because they are not as good as everyone claims them to be, and there are simply much better bands out there. It isn't an elitist thing, it is something that comes from listen to more metal than the average "LAWL RAWR MAIDEN PRIEST METALLICA" types.

I don't see how you couldn't understand their vocals either, Chuck has one of the most comprehensible death growls ever on the early releases, then when you get to Symbolic and The Sound of Perseverance the vocals are totally understandable, just a bit "raspy." They are nothing like say, Benighted's vocals where even I have a hard time understanding them.