A few things...
First, don't diss Killswitch Engage, deathkvlt (you did not list them as one of the bands that did not suck. I assure you Killswitch Engage kicks major ass).
Second, Atreyu does indeed suck.
Third, not all hardcore is bad. Examples: Between the Buried and Me, Dillinger Escape Plan, and I honestly like Avenged Sevenfold (I hate Thrice and others though). Most hardcore IS bad mind you (but then again, most metal is too). My biggest criticism about hardcore is the fact that it doesn't branch out enough--90% of hardcore sounds the same. Lately, though, I'm hearing a lot of hardcore bands getting pretty damn technical and doing cooler shit than most metal bands.
And lastly, Black metal is stupid for the most part. Sorry, but it is. The lyrics are retarded. The musicianship is usually shitty (it's just fast... so fucking what? Yeah... blast beats... try something new). And the vocals are terrible. Sorry, but as a vocalist myself, I must say they're just retarded. Obviously there are exceptions, but this is my general consensus on most black metal that I do hear. And I'll honestly say, I prefer hardcore.
I'm a progressive metalhead myself. I like my music technical and different (go Sikth!). I like extremes. And some of the newer hardcore that I've heard from the underground has impressed me (most still sucks, but nonetheless).
I've always considered this a site that "knows their shit", but my biggest critisism (more to the users than the reviewers) is that some people are too stuck up with being "metal", rather than simply being fans of good musicianship. Of good song writing. Of good music period. I call myself a metalhead because I find that most good music is metal. Classical is great too.
-Jaden
EDIT: Oh, and about The Haunted album. I like The Haunted, and I'll make my own judgement after I hear it.