Here's a querky idea: post either your favorite Band, or a Band which you think has influenced you the most. Be it them giving you inspiration, sparking interest in other Genres, being a gateway Band to your actual favorite Bands and etc. Give me the full story.
I'll start.
I listen to a multitude of Bands, but in the beginning my list was extremely small. I didn't really listen to Metal that much throughout the 2000s (or I don't remember any). I do remember listening to the Mjolnor Mix ALLOT but that's besides the point.
When I was younger I listened to songs like Move Along by All American Rejects (I got that song specifically from a Bionicle commercial. The one with Piraka), or some One Republic songs. Maybe a hint of Eminem.
THEN it struck me. One day I was in my Mom's room watching MTV (when they actually showed Music Videos) and the video for Disturbed's The Night came on. It was like a freight train to my consciousness. I couldn't get the song out my head lol. I would try to go there every day in hopes the song would come on.
Here's the music video for the song I credit most to opening Metal to me:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UBv9TUQUDy0
Eventually MTV opened the doorway to songs like Sulfur by Slipknot, Sound of Madness by Shinedown, I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace, and Fade by Staind. It was the beginning of a revolution for my musical taste.
As time went on Disturbed became my favorite band. At one time I had ALL the songs from their 5 albums. I personally owned 3 of their Albums (Ten Thousand Fists, Indestructible, and Asylum). I was present when the original commercials for Asylum came on... and I was blown away.
But then it began to fade. Disturbed was a gateway band to me. I craved for heavier and heavier music, and Disturbed failed to deliver that (though Down With The Sickness, and Stupify were pretty heavy). I began listening to bands like Lamb of God, Godsmack, and Slipknot to a further extent (though like most people the deep growls peeved me a bit, but I grew to like it). It progressed to me beginning to listen to heavier and heavier music. Disturbed began to lose it's place.
Fast forward to today. My Band list numbers 20+, and it's growing. I've listened to the heaviest crap you'll ever hear and I absolutely love it. It's hard to believe I once hated Metal. I now actively listen to bands like Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, Gojira, Chimaira, Opeth and more.
Heres the sad part... I basically had a falling out with Disturbed. I no longer own all the songs, and I gave the albums to my friend. I do have a few songs I still like (The Night will always be with me). I listened to their songs to death over the years, and it's hard to listen to most of their material now without getting bored.
I'm still interested in what Disturbed has in store for their 6th album. Even though it doesn't have as large as a place with me like it used to I still hold it closely as one of, if not THE Band that peaked my interest in Metal.
That's it for me. I'm interested in what you people got to share.