Battle of the Bass... the 5 greatest Bassist's in Metal.......?

MA: Looks like you went with a more technical viewpoint. As I don't know much (alright, anything!) about the bass, so I really can't comment fairly on your list. I like the bands the bassists you mentioned are in and I guess the bass has something to do with that.

MA2: I'm going to take a different approach. Instead of choosing the bassists based on their technical power, I will go with catchy and memorable basslines instead.

5. Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse)

Now, CC gets a lot of unfair hatred (from the mainstream and the underground) but most people will agree that the musicians are pretty talented. Again, I don't know anything about bass, so I wouldn't know whether Webster is really talented or not but I do know that he has written some kickass catchy basslines and that's all that matters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJCEQddbqo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-zQKVDRwgQ

4. Frank Bello (Anthrax)

Anthrax has some of the most memorable basslines in metal thanks to this guy. The crunchy feel he adds to the songs is just priceless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW3nAVRSc04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-arrv-260

3. XXX (Otargos)

*Gasps*! A black metal bassist in a top 5 metal bass list. Have a hunch that he's technically proficient as well and unlike most BM bassists, he makes himself apparent in the songs and leaves me wanting more of his extreme but catchy bass moments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpoF98DObt8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny9UJ8HRSWk

2. Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)

The godfather of catchy metal basslines. Of course bassists from earlier metal bands had put out some catchy bass moments but due to this guy many metal songs are based around catchy basslines. Also, the first person to make me 'air bass' (yes I made that up). I don't think I even need to post links.

1. *drum roll* Yenz Leonhardt (Stormwarrior)

Probably a weird choice for a number one spot as he has only worked on one full length album with the band i.e Heading Northe. However, imho, he took the Steve Harris style and perfected it, even if he isn't as apparent as Harris. Made the bass an even more integral and catchy part of the songs. Killer basslines for a killer band. The youtube quality might not let you appreciate his basslines properly but anyways...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF3DP1KEAYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQCDjK6tn1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2fEC7-EP9c

I wanted to fit DD Verni of Overkill somewhere in there but oh well...

MQ: Overall I think you've composed a very solid list of both technically skilled and unique memorable bass players. I'm a guitar player but I deffinitely appreciate bass players for what they add to a metal band and for their skill (**** I can't play bass lol).

MQ2: Hmm That list is pretty good but I think 2 people I would definitely consider adding would be Alex Webster and Jeff Hughell. I'd probably replace Myung with at least one of those two because honestly I'm not a Dream Theater fan. They're not my style of music.

Best Metal Bassists

MA: Cliff at #5? With His unique style? And his lever of influnce? Hmmmm. In all honesty I haven't hear much from Patterson and Thesseling cause frankly their bands ain't my style. The sound very good though from a technical standpoint.

As to Myung, and I realize how funny this sounds coming from a Malmsteen fanboy, but his fretwankery don't impress me for some reason.

MA2: I say Geddy is the best, but He ain't Metal.

1. Cliff Burton

2. Steve Harris

3. Steve DiGiorgio

4. Les Claypool

5. Doug Keyser

AHHH GADS I FORGOT LEMMY

#2 for Kilmister

Death metal: Death Suffocation Cannibal corpse Bolt thrower Autopsy Obituary Carcass Napalm death Decapitated Krisiun Vital remains Deicide Malevolent creation Aborted Disavowed Bloodbath Entombed (left hand path) Dismember Black metal: Darkthrone (old) Taake Nattefrost Wolves in the throne room (atmospheric black metal) Xasthur Gorgoroth Twilight (the band) Nachtmystium Grindcore: Rotten sound Pig destroyer Wadge Agoraphobic nosebleed Terrorizer Repulsion Post metal: Isis Jesu If these trees could talk Falloch Folk/pagan metal: Moonsorrow Tyr Korpiklaani Other good stuff I can't really categorize: Agalloch In solitude Mercyfull fate King diamond

Not necessarily in order:

Cliff Burton

Steve Harris

Steve DiGiorgio

Jeroen Paul Thesseling

Martin Henriksson

MA: well, it seems like lately, we haven't been agreeing with alot musically but this is one list I can't argue with at all.

Steve Digiorgio (i actually do think he shines the most with Sadus though) and Roger Patterson are my favourites, but the other 3 would probably be in the top 5 as well. you are right that Thesseling is the least recognized but he should definitely be in top 5.

MA2: I really wouldn't change this at all

1. Cliff Burton (Metallica) - He is a bass legend and played the bass like a lead. RIP.

2. Frankie Bello (Anthrax) - His bass is clear on the Anthrax albums he plays like a beast.

3. Rex Brown (Pantera) - His bass lines were heavy and they could be heard pretty well when Dime soloed.

4. David Ellefson (Megadeth) - Very technical with the bass (My Last Words, Peace Sells...)

5. Jason Newsted (Metallica) - Nothing too special, but Jason to me is a really great dude and a really great bassist.

1. Troy Tipton (Zero Hour)

2. Toshiya (Dir en Grey)

3. Roger Patterson (Atheist)

4. Cliff Burton (Metallica)

5. Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse)

Honorable mentions:

Steve DiGiorgio (Death)

Mike Flores (Origin)

Sean Malone (Cynic)

1. Geezer Butler. Have you ever heard NIB? Into the Void? Heaven and Hell? That is bass as it should truly be played.

2. Steve Harris. We all recognize that galloping anywhere.

3. Cliff Burton. For proving bassists CAN play a lead role in a band.

4. Duff McKagan. Because it's his bass that made this song cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFYcw-_HC1Y

5. Lemmy, because He is Lemmy. :)