I'm in the rock and metal all the time (even have my own band) and many inspirations, so I'll only focus on bands. Ready... go
:
Blind Guardian (long live bards')
AC/DC
Apocalyptica
Metallica (the old one)
Dio
Rainbow
Black Sabbath
Vader
Nightwish
Lilith
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Jimi Hendrix (great style)
Dream Theater
Dark Tranquillity
Smashing Pumpkins
Within Temptation
and many many more
If anyone has a good idea for a song (lyrics or riffs) - please mail me.