By that I mean, a band whose music you generally enjoy but you think they have gotten too stale by following the same old patterns they always had.

We often hear metalheads complain about bands changing styles, I can't recall too many complaints about bands not changing.

Hammerfall.

I wish they'd try something a little different. I think they just keep repeating the same album over and over. I have the first 4 but I got bored by that point.

This is kinda difficult, as when we find a band we really enjoy; we prefer them to keep putting out good stuff that sounds in some way like their older stuff.

I agree with Hammerfall tho.

If Dragonforce dropped the glitz and made a half way decent record like Valley of the damned, that would be good.

-Hammerfall indeed. Too boring.
-Metallica: death magnetic is just better then St Anger. But it's far from the thrashy sound we all miss.
-Children of Bodom & Grave digger: i'm not talking about a change in the music, as it is astonishing. The real problem lies in the vocals. For exemple, Alexi Leiho's vocals fit into a more death and less melodic band.

Weird Al

Most of the Euro power metal bands that got started in the late 90s (i.e. HammerFall, Iron Savior, etc.) have gotten pretty stale by now. I wouldn't necessarily say I want them to change their style, but some of them are on their sixth or seventh record now and they all sound pretty much like the one before them. If you're gonna re-make the same album six times, we should get a discount on the price of the CD.

I'd like to hear Iron Maiden record some short, punchy tracks again....and go back to just Murray and Smith on guitars.

Would like to see Judas Priest drop the symphonic stuff and start making good 'ol heavy metal again.

would love to hear In Flames, Megadeth, Mortification, My Dying Bride, & Burzum record an album that sounds more like their earlier material.

also, i'd love for Cryptopsy to ditch their new singer & get Lord Worm back. or at least another death metal singer.

Cannibal Corpse.
I wish they would try to record an underwater album with no oxygen tanks at about 500 feet.

I would have Limp Bizkit make good music although I'm sure they're beyond saving (except Wes Borland).

I would like to see Deliverance and Metallica go back to their classic sound.

Manowar should kick Karl Logan out, get Ross the Boss back and start playing real heavy metal again instead of that symphonic, Rhapsody wannabe crap they're making today. They're starting to become more and more like KISS during the The Elder period...

I think AC/DC should make a prog/concept lp.

I always wanted to hear what Whitesnake would sound like if David Coverdale wrote lyrics about anything other than the fairer sex. there are a few here and there but would like to hear more. But I guess then I would be listening to Jorn Lande!