how to play like cannibal corpse?

Vacume · #1 06-10-2006, 01:54 PM

I recently watched a video of them playing a song call frantic disimbowlment or something like that........and it looked like he was managing to stray away from the root note(or mayby im wrong) i play in a metal band im finding it hard to find parts where its suitible to groove away from just rootin it, any tips?

Twistad · #2 06-10-2006, 02:19 PM

In that video, he's mostly doubling the main guitar riff. Actually, it's more the guitar that is doubling the bass riff since i think Alex Webster wrote the song.

As for music like that, you should definitely look into some Tech Metal. Bands like Watchtower, Spiral Architect, and Spastic Ink will give you lots of ideas as they all have predominant bassists.

Osama_Spears · #3 06-10-2006, 02:32 PM

INTO THE MOAT!
BENEATH THE MASSACRE!
PSYOPUS!

im in a wannabe-tech metal band and i write most of the stuff,so the guitar is following me

seriously though,im usually backing the guitar riff because its only 1 guitar and it also gives a more fuller sound.

xvertirx · #4 06-10-2006, 03:45 PM

You must bow down and hail Satan first then sum up all the evil within you and play like a demon.

Vacume · #5 06-10-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xvertirx

You must bow down and hail Satan first then sum up all the evil within you and play like a demon.

im not shure i like satan very much lol

Poop-Loops · #6 06-10-2006, 03:52 PM

Iron Maiden? I think Megadeth has some "straying". Atheist's bassist was awesome, too.

xvertirx · #7 06-10-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vacume

im not shure i like satan very much lol

Fathand · #8 06-10-2006, 04:58 PM

In straight-ahead metal bands, it's usually better to stay mainly with the root and "serve the song" than try to fill in every hole with something extra (something extra here and there doesn't hurt

).

In my experience, in metal the role of the bass is to be rhythmic instrument with the drums, more than a melodic instrument. (Especially in a band with 2 guitars, in a classic trio (+ a singer) the bass has more room to maneuver). To hold up the groove, as they say.

More proggish and technical (metal) bands are a different matter, though.

And as for playing Cannibal Corpse, finger speed and dexterity is the key. Alex Webster has said himself that he mostly stays with the guitars as many of their songs don't stay in any specific root and it would not sound good if he started to solo around those riffs. On the new record he does a couple of backround solos. But as for playing those, questions to ask yourself are these:
- Can you double a fast picked riff on the guitar?
- Can you do it for 3-5 minutes?
If both answers are yes, you're good to go.

Poop-Loops · #9 06-10-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fathand

But as for playing those, questions to ask yourself are these:
- Can you double a fast picked riff on the guitar?
- Can you do it for 3-5 minutes?
If both answers are yes, you're good to go.

More like "3-5 minutes at a time" if you ever plan on doing a gig.

And notice how they are both in the classical position? I can't even imagine playing something like that with a low guitar.

DaemonBass · #10 06-11-2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vacume

I recently watched a video of them playing a song call frantic disimbowlment or something like that........and it looked like he was managing to stray away from the root note(or mayby im wrong) i play in a metal band im finding it hard to find parts where its suitible to groove away from just rootin it, any tips?

In that style that Cannibal Corpse plays (I guess one could call it tech/death metal), the songs have a very specific arrangement. IMO, in that style there is not much room to "groove away." Perhaps during the rehearsal process where they are creating the song they will groove away, but once they create the parts: that's what they play (with some variation on fills, ect).

I guess I'm saying create some riffs (groove around) you like that sound good in the context of the song then figure out the arrangement of those riffs and you're good to go.

Also check out Cryptopsy's bass player he plays some slap mixed with regular fingerstyle. For the most part the bass is playing the same as the guitars but he will throw in a killer slap riff at well-chosen times.

BELLATOR · #11 06-11-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xvertirx

You must bow down and hail Satan first then sum up all the evil within you and play like a demon.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

This is what happens to Satan:

The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:10

ImaStupidBaby · #12 06-11-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BELLATOR

This is what happens to Satan:

The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:10

HeavyFingers · #13 06-11-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BELLATOR

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

This is what happens to Satan:

The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:10

All written/handed down verbally thousands of years ago...not to say that anyone's religion is wrong but I just hate it when people take religious texts to heart verbatim. A quote from the Simpsons comes to mind:

Purple Monkey Dishwasher.

#14 06-11-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xvertirx

You must bow down and hail Satan first then sum up all the evil within you and play like a demon.

Just to address this real quickly, there ARE in fact Christian death metal bands. I'm working on a solo project in that vein right now, without sacrificing either the Christian or Death Metal parts of it. I know it's seemingly contradictory, but yes, it's possible, just as Satanic melo-pop bands are possible.

Poop-Loops · #15 06-11-2006, 08:35 PM

Bleah. I can't imagine anything good coming out of it.

"I LOVE JESUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! !!! BLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DIE SATAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Unless you want to sing about all the massacres in the Bible.

#16 06-11-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Bleah. I can't imagine anything good coming out of it.

"I LOVE JESUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! !!! BLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DIE SATAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Unless you want to sing about all the massacres in the Bible.

Errrrm, Alrighty then.

------------

Anyways, back to your regularily scheduled programming, if you're writing songs, study your diminished scales backwards and forwards. Find as many variations on them as possible, and work with them until you have songs. In terms of how I approach Death Metal on the bass, I basically think of myself as the third guitar player, the only difference between me and the other guys is that I'm playing with a clean bass sound and at lower pitch than them, obviously. I know, ghetto approach, but it works. Also, for a bassist that big time strays from the guitars, I always recommend Steve Digiorgio in any project he's played for. Check out his stuff.

HeavyFingers · #17 06-11-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Bleah. I can't imagine anything good coming out of it.

"I LOVE JESUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! !!! BLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DIE SATAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Unless you want to sing about all the massacres in the Bible.

Um...I hate intolerance even more. Just think about it - crucifixtions arn't exactly puppy dogs and lollipops when it comes to imagery. And other lyrics wouldn' be that hard -

"Help me vanquish my foes while holding the sacrifice up on high, watching the tainted pave thier way to eternal missery..."

or something like that. Don't know about you, but throw some blood and guts in there and there you have christian death metal lyrics.

juanete · #18 06-12-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xvertirx

You must bow down and hail Satan first then sum up all the evil within you and play like a demon.

Are you really a Satan/evil worshipper?

I don't consider myself a Catholic/Christian (I was raised in a Catholic family though) but I still consider your point of view sad...

Love and giving will lead you to good things in life;

Violence, hate, war to bad ones...

Peace.

metalguy2 · #19 06-12-2006, 09:40 AM

Man... Just learn symetrical scales and you are good to go as far as learning to play like Alex. Make up your own lines to a really slow tempo.. That are just kinda difficult to begin with. And then get them good enough so you can play it really fast!

#20 06-12-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalguy2

Man... Just learn symetrical scales and you are good to go as far as learning to play like Alex. Make up your own lines to a really slow tempo.. That are just kinda difficult to begin with. And then get them good enough so you can play it really fast!

+1