I'm surprised to see so many negative opinions of Far From a Madding Crowd. I think that album is absolute brilliance in songwriting and delivery. It's earned a gold plated pedastal in my Hallowed Hall of Fame. It will likely land on my top-20 metal albums of all time.
The first two Wuthering albums lacked the energy and maturity of FFaMC, IMO. If I had heard them first I would have loved them, but I was introduced to WH via Madding Crowd. So the first two were like a step down. Still really good songwriting, but it sounds more laid back. Most of that could be attributed to the change of singers. Nils Patrik Johannson's vocals are a much better fit for Erik Ravn's gifted songwriting. Nils really adds that extra PUNCH on Madding that pushed it over the edge into masterpiece for me.
For those who haven't heard any WH, they have song and samples available on their website:
http://www.wuthering-heights.dk/
Also, their myspace page made by a fan:
http://www.myspace.com/wutheringheightsband
