Best overall metal rhythm section?
 

For me, it's gotta be Tool. Ain't nobody lays down the groove like Justin Chancellor and Danny Carey's drumming is unrivaled.

Black Sabbath

Nothing better than the origional. We're all just imitating.

Led Zepplin

There isn't really much out there as far as a true "metal rhythm section" beyond Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Tool. Most other metal bassists and drummers don't really have the kind of push and pull and dynamic interaction that would merit the term "rhythm section".

these guys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQZmTXCSO00

Score another for Sabbath. I prefer Zeppelin overall, but I just cannot say they are metal.

I would invite you to listen to Jason Rullo and Thomas Miller of Symphony X, to me the greatest rythm section in progressive metal

Steve Harris with Clive Burr and later with Nicko McBrain. Simply unbelievable.

Cephalic Carnage, hands down.

unrivaled? i dunno
the guy from lamb of god is amazing

IMHO, there are two basic roles for a metal rhythm section: lead the beat and propel the band forward like an out-of-control dragster (Megadeth, Skeletonwitch, every thrash band ever), or play behind the beat and drag the band through the sludge by main force (Black Sabbath, High On Fire, every doom band ever). Slayer is unusual in being able to do both, but on the whole I think the vast majority of bands take one road or the other, and it doesn't make much sense to compare across the two.

I guess the third way is "explode all over the place", a la Pig Destroyer. Grindcore rhythm sections are impressive in their way, but kind of hard to judge for technical quality...

-NT

You are all wrong. Tomas Haake and Dick Lovgren. Meshuggah. The End. :)

Rex Brown and Vinnie Paul

This is a good point.

I would disagree with almost all previous posts. I think Megadeth, slayer and Anthrax have had great rhythm sections for thrash (I also include rhythm guitar in the metal rhythm section because... well, it is. Dream Theater also comes to mind... maybe not a lot of 'groove' going on, but to be able to hold such complex songs together, you gotta give them props. Check out Keep of Kalessin as well.

That's a good point, though odd that you would compare leading the beat to a "dragster".

But Slayer I think is under appreciated in that regard.

I've gotta give it to Opeth, personally. Martin Mendez and Martin Lopez are an amazing combination.

Krist Noveselic and Dave Groel of Nirvana had it going on Nevermind. Cliff and Lars....

These two or Geezer/Bill.

Lemmy and Filthy Animal