metallica ---> sabbath, priest, the big four ---> opeth/katatonia/mdb/etc ---> burzum/at the gates ---> fates warning/helstar
these were all kickstarting distinct phases. after that i was kinda branching out all over the place.
my worst/nerdiest origin story: i associate HVIS LYSET TAR OSS with unreal tournament because the first time i heard it (and immediately loved it) was while playing it at a lan party.