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Legendary Grunge Guitarist Name Drops Some of the Heaviest Metal Bands Who Inspired Him, and You Can Definitely Hear It in His Songs

Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil was asked about his early days playing, and he revealed that bands like Metallica had a big influence on him.

By Stephen Andrew Galiher

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Soundgarden was always one of the heavier grunge bands of the 90s scene. It turns out there’s a very good reason for that. The band’s guitarist, Kim Thayil, has revealed that his early musical influences were some of the heaviest metal bands of the 80s. Like Metallica and Exodus.

During a guest appearance on the Turned Out A Punk podcast, Thayil was asked about Soundgarden’s signing to A&M. This was their first major label signing in the late 80s. The musician was questioned whether the band was ever bothered by being “marketed into the metal world.”

“Well, we liked Metallica, but that was different,” Thayil replied. “The thrash scene kind of had........

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