nah, I said they were made dated by the thrash and death bands, not that they were influential.
Chuck was a KISS fan; IIRC, KISS is what made him start playing guitar.
I found this:
Chuck Schuldiner, the founder and guitarist of
Death, cited a wide range of musical influences, including progressive metal bands like Watchtower and Queensrÿche, as well as heavy metal and thrash bands such as Kiss, Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, and Raven. He also expressed an interest in Yngwie Malmsteen,
Eddie Van Halen, and other guitarists. Schuldiner's mother stated that he enjoyed all forms of music except country and rap, according to an interview on the Empty Words website.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of his influences:
- Progressive Metal:
Schuldiner was particularly drawn to the technical and complex music of Watchtower and Queensrÿche, which influenced his own writing style, especially in later Death albums.
- Heavy Metal and Thrash:
He drew inspiration from the riffing and songwriting of bands like Kiss, Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, and Raven, shaping his early Death style.
- Guitarists:
He admired the technical prowess of Yngwie Malmsteen, Eddie Van Halen, and other guitarists, which influenced his playing and songwriting.
- Other influences:
Schuldiner also acknowledged the impact of NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) bands, early black/death metal bands, and prog bands like Rush, especially on later albums.
- Personal Preference:
Schuldiner's mother noted that he enjoyed a wide range of music genres, with the exception of country and rap, according to the Empty Words website.