TOSIN ABASI

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

I wanted to start a Tosin Abasi thread to find out what people think of his playing and writing. He tunes his eight string 28 inch scale Ibanez RG2228 EBEADGBE which puts him in the range of a bass guitar. If he’s a guitarist does playing a bass line in addition to guitar parts make him something different ?

[rockstarbassist]

is that the "djent" garbage??

[faust23]

Tosin is an ebonized god.

[aaronhutson]

The additional range gives him the ability to play basslines alongside his lead guitar, but in all the animals as leaders stuff i have heard he rarely plays bass lines. He utilizes the extra range in riffs and things of the sort but for "soloing" he uses the mid to high range.

Thats just what i have noticed though and it may be wrong.

[ScarletIcarus]

He is quite Talented. I wouldn't put him as a different kind of player, he is just an extended range guitarist.

[Hutzbordello]

oh wow this guy is amazing. Reflux the amazing DC hardcore/thrashy band rips it up. and Animals as leaders, who i saw live at last years summer slaughter, are super awesome.

hes also a cool dude who hangs out with fans, and seems pretty laid back. he writes such awesome stuff.

[jollygiantchris]

Great player interesting music a lot more jazz influenced then a lot of the other newer prog bands. Reminds me of Cynic sometimes.

Wouldn't call him a bassist though and this thread should probably be in Misc. as he is playing an extended range guitar.

[Demonator]

Hes pretty good.

[brndn123]

He's inspired a lot of young kids to form prog/tech metal instrumental bands thats for sure. I don't think the metal scene was ready for his debut album which is why it left such a large impression on many young musicians and guitards. I am curious to see if his follow up will give us something new as opposed to rehashed off-time breakdowns with weedly guitar riffs and chorus drenched fingerpicking passages. After all, he managed to snag Mr. Navene Koperweis so I will be expecting some new influence on future songs!

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

Originally Posted by jollygiantchris

Great player interesting music a lot more jazz influenced then a lot of the other newer prog bands. Reminds me of Cynic sometimes.

Wouldn't call him a bassist though and this thread should probably be in Misc. as he is playing an extended range guitar.

Animals As Leaders doesn't have a bass player. Tosin seems to cover the bottom in recordings (I have no idea how they do it live). YouTube - ‪Tosin Abasi Performs "Wave of Babies" Live at EMG Studios‬‏ Is what he does the equivalent of playing the Chapman Stick or Jimi Hendrix doubling on bass ?

[insomniac2295]

Originally Posted by faust23

Tosin is an ebonized god.

ABSOLUTELY!
I don't usually buy into djent, but his stuff is pure genius!

[skulletwhip]

Originally Posted by wsmerwin@hotmai

Animals As Leaders doesn't have a bass player. Tosin seems to cover the bottom in recordings (I have no idea how they do it live). YouTube - ‪Tosin Abasi Performs "Wave of Babies" Live at EMG Studios‬‏ Is what he does the equivalent of playing the Chapman Stick or Jimi Hendrix doubling on bass ?

YouTube - ‪Meshuggah - Lethargica‬‏

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

Abasi plays songs that neither fly away without a foundation or stumble along with standard / traditional bass licks we've all heard before. They have relentless drive with or without a drummer. Odd time signatures and time structures rock, often feeling like a solid four beat when the reality is anything but; AND ALL THIS WITHOUT A BASS PLAYER !!! Shouldn't we be taking note ?!

In all honesty I don't know the size or extent of Abasi's following. I just want to cast my vote for one of the most exciting and thoughtful players to come into the public eye in quiet a while.