My influences are vast, these are the main ones.
1. Nobuo Uematsu: Final Fantasy composer. 'Flowers Blooming In The Church', the heartwrenching theme of Aeries.
2. Frank Klepacki: Command & Conquer Red Alert
3. Akira Yamaoka
4. Yngwie Malmsteen
5. Carmen: Just like the mood more than anything else.
6. Delirious: Uber cool, very tranquil and smooth.
The music I listen to is broken down into two categories, music I listen to for enjoyement, and music I listen to that is guitar orientated. One influences me musically, the other technically.
I dont know very many christian bands, the ones that I have heard (with two exceptions) where aweful. I dont believe for one second that this can be so of all others. Im not looking for christian bands who imitate metal, Im looking for christian bands with very sophisticated melodies and harmonies, very adventurous musically and thoroughly professional, if you have heard music from Final Fantasy 8 then you will know what I am looking for, something along those lines, something classically influenced. Please can someone help me find them!