Per Yngve Ohlin, famously known by his stage name Dead, was deeply influenced by a range of heavy metal and rock music bands during his formative years, shaping his unique artistic vision and sound. His preferred music taste leaned towards the heavier and more extreme spectrum of these genres.
As a teenager, Dead developed a profound appreciation for several pioneering and influential acts. These bands, known for their powerful sound, innovative techniques, and often dark or rebellious themes, were instrumental in cultivating his distinctive style and undoubtedly contributed to the atmosphere and raw intensity he later brought to his own music.
Here is a list of bands Dead cited as his favorites:
| Genre Focus (Approximate) | Band Name | Key Characteristics / Influence |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Metal / Hard Rock | Black Sabbath | Widely considered the pioneers of heavy metal, known for their dark, heavy riffs and ominous sound. |
| Hard Rock / Glam Metal | Kiss | Iconic for their theatrical live performances, distinctive makeup, and anthemic rock songs. |
| Heavy Metal | Iron Maiden | A leading band in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), known for epic songs and intricate guitar work. |
| Heavy Metal | Judas Priest | Another NWOBHM titan, recognized for their twin guitar attacks, powerful vocals, and leather-clad image. |
| Hard Rock / Blues Rock | AC/DC | Celebrated for their high-energy, blues-infused rock 'n' roll sound. |
| Hard Rock / Speed Metal | Motörhead | Blending punk rock with heavy metal, synonymous with speed, aggression, and raw power. |
| Black Metal / Speed Metal | Venom | Early pioneers of extreme metal, highly influential for their dark, satanic themes and raw sound, often cited as a key early black metal band. |
| Thrash Metal | Metallica | One of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, known for their fast tempos, aggressive musicianship, and complex song structures. |
| Black Metal | Bathory | A highly influential early black metal band from Sweden, known for its raw sound and mythological/Viking themes. |
| Thrash Metal / Black Metal | Sodom | A prominent German thrash metal band that also had significant early black metal influence. |
| Heavy Metal / Doom Metal | Mercyful Fate | A Danish heavy metal band distinguished by King Diamond's unique vocals and occult lyrical themes, often bridging traditional heavy metal with more extreme sounds. |
These bands collectively showcase Dead's interest across the spectrum of heavy metal, from its foundational roots to the burgeoning thrash and black metal scenes, highlighting the diverse influences that shaped his artistic identity within the extreme metal landscape.
