Images Courtesy of Press Here Publicity; BB Gun PressDepeche Mode has had a large influence on hard rock and metal -- the band's been covered by the likes of Marilyn Manson, Sammy Hagar and Deftones. As it turns out, Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan has "great respect for heavy rock stuff," though he does have an unusual opinion about the kings of metal themselves, Metallica.
"Metallica are a heavy-sounding band, but they write pop songs," Gahan tells Rolling Stone. "They've got their dark moments, just like Depeche Mode have, but deep in there is a tune with a catchy chorus or a pop arrangement."
Unlike some heavy metal fans, however, Gahan doesn't see that pop feel as a bad thing. "Metallica really do their own thing and always have," he says.
As for other bands of the hard rock variety, Gahan is a fan of Tool and Rage Against the Machine, particularly the guitar skills of Tom Morello.
"It's just great innovative guitar playing, using the guitar in an unconventional way," Gahan says. "It's in the same way that years and years ago, people like Jimmy Page were playing the blues, but much louder."
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