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Metal Bassists

What got you into Metal and bass?

  • Total voters
    70
#122
Zodion said:
I haven't seen many metal threads here so I was just wondering where all the Metal bass players are? Share your stories friends! ;):bassist::hyper::cool:;):):D:bassist::bassist::bassist:
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Metal bass player checking in. Played bass from the start and havent looked back. Got a cool compilation video from one of our latest gigs. Its footage from our entire set over our song blood eagle (plenty of bass footage in this video!)

 
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#123
Zodion said:
I agree man I like when the parts can be split down the middle and sadly many singers do blow their clean parts live :crying: bolt thrower rules! Sepultura plays in Bb I believe and yeah power metal is too clean. I like when that balance can be hit. Deadlock out of Germany has a great mix of a lot of elements I've been digging them a lot:bassist:
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As much as I like Mastodon on CD, they can't do the vocals properly live. I've seen some videos of Black Crown Initiate, which is an incredible band, but they are off on the clean harmonies. Real bummer.
Mikal of Opeth has a great clean voice and a great growl, but again he can't manage something in the middle.
Korladis said:
CDs are digital. We didn't release a CD for that reason. If people want the digital release, they can download it from our website.

Quite a large segment of our part of the metal genre does listen to vinyl records. So it made a lot of sense for us to put out one.


I get where you're coming from, but I still disagree.

Partly because I don't find Mayhem impossible to listen to. I have to be in the right mood to listen to them, sure. But if I am in that mood, they're super easy to listen to.

Though, by the mid-90s, Mayhem was done putting anything out for a while. All the bands they inspired, however, were starting their most productive periods. Emperor put out In The Nightside Eclipse in 1994, and Reverence in 1996, and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk in 1997. Immortal made Battles in the North, and Blizzard Beasts in 1995 and 1997 respectively, albums that really defined their sound. Dimmu Borgir, who you mentioned, came out with Stormblast in 1996 and then Enthrone Darkness Triumphant in 1997. Dissection released their two classic albums, The Somberlain, and Storm of the Light's Bane in 1993 and 1995. Primordial came out with their first two albums, Sigh was making the early music and already being very weird, Cradle of Filth was making the albums now regarded as their classics (Vempire, Dusk..., Cruelty), etc.

The Swedish scene was actually going by the mid 90s. In flames had released three records by 1997, with that year's Whoracle being regarded by many as their best (others think the later Colony album was, or that Clayman was... there is some debate, obviously). Similarly, Dark Tranquility had also put out three records already by 1997. The incredible At the Gates released Slaughter of the Soul in 1995, after which they released nothing for 19 years, so many consider the mid 90s to be the high water mark for them.

Almost no one I know draws any "line" on Sepultura except the Max period and the post-Max period (obviously, pretty much everyone thinks that the Max period was way better). I quite like both Chaos AD and Roots. Though personally I think the production of the latter is terrible and so really prefer listening to live versions, which have way more intensity.

Keep in mind, I am not a thrasher. Thrash =/= all metal. Thrash definitely did die a bit in the early/mid 90s. But other parts of the scene kept going, and some were even being born. The part of the metal genre that I mainly play in was starting up at that point, with Saint Vitus finishing up, Electric Wizard getting started, Pentegram, Candlemass, Cathedral, Type O Negative, Katatonia, the Peaceville Three (and among them, the mid 90s is somewhat considered the "classic period" for at least My Dying Bride, though by the mid 90s, Paradise Lost had already left Peaceville Records), Neurosis as mentioned had released several albums (concluding their phenomenal 90s run with the incredibly heavy Times of Grace in 1999), Boris was starting, Earth had been going for a while, Sunn O))) was just starting, Sleep had released Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and Holy Mountain, with Dopesmoker being held up by the record label.

I know, maybe a lot of this stuff wasn't popular in the USA at the time, but the metal genre isn't limited to the USA (nor, in my opinion, is it strongest here). Tons of the albums I listen to were made in the mid 1990s. There was lots of fantastic music then... it just wasn't always easy to find in the states. It was an incredibly productive period in parts of the metal scene that weren't thrash. As you said, the mid 90s sucked for metal fans in the USA... but that doesn't mean they sucked for metal in general. In my opinion, as many classic albums were released between 1992-1998 as between 1986-1992. It's just that where the action was changed a bit. The late 80s and early 90s saw the flowering of American thrash bands, whereas the mid 90s, the really amazing stuff in the metal genre was mostly happening in Europe and didn't make it to the USA for a few years, and the good American stuff (like a lot of the doom metal) did not come out of the thrash scene, but was from a more distantly related part of the genre.

Personally, I never liked Slipknot, but when I saw them live, I had seen Mudvayne earlier that day, and the two bands sounded extremely similar to me (at the time)... and the smaller band put on the better show and sounded better. So Slipknot left me quite unimpressed. Then again, I've often had a hard time changing my initial impressions of bands. Weirdly, of the nu-metal bands, the only one I really ever got into was System of a Down, and I still enjoy them quite a bit. I dunno what it is. I guess because they didn't have much rap/hip-hop content. I don't really feel anyone ever did the rap/metal/hard rock combination well besides Rage Against the Machine.




I again, disagree about Taylor, but I'm biased, having never liked Slipknot or Corey's vocals. That's not to say that they're bad... they're just not my thing. I prefer Mike Scheidt's style, but then, he kinda does it all. Fully harsh, fully clean, and then often mostly clean with a little bit of grit. Somewhat different style, but Steve von Till and Scott Kelly mostly live in that "very gritty, but still definitely a note" area of vocals, these days.

To some extent, though, it is an art. At least to me, fully clean singing and fully growled/screamed vocals are both way, way easier than doing the in between.
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It's funny, you and i have completely opposite tastes in metal. I guess it goes to show that the genre is far more diverse that most people outside it realize. It also shows how peer groups affect your listening habits. I'd say 90% of the bands you listed in passing I've only heard of recently and most are a hard pass for me. It is probably just the angle you come at it from. For me and my friends we started with classic metal, then trash/speed, and moved up to grind and death metal.
Mudvayne's rhythm section is really the only reason to listen to them. Ryan Martinie is a beast. Slipknot has never had a powerful bass player, but I prefer their writing 100% more. I don't know when you saw them together, but Slipknot is a very different band from when they started. They write actual music without losing the face-punching factor.
Sorry but I don't hear any singing in Neurosis or YOB. I likes me some growling, don't get me wrong, but there is a difference. There needs to be a harmony or melody for me to consider it 'singing' versus 'vocals'. Again if you haven't heard The Gray Chapter, you should give it a listen, Taylor's voice has become more than just shouting at a mic, AND he can do it live. He did a cover of Rainbow in the Dark that is pretty fantastic considering he covering one of the best all time metal vocalists.

True singing is totally a natural talent that you simply have or don't. You can train it, but the sound of your voice is the sound of your voice and nothing can change that. I'm sure the half way point is hard and that's why so few people can do it, or if they start off with it, they eventually stop and just go clean.
 
#124
socialleper said:
As much as I like Mastodon on CD, they can't do the vocals properly live. I've seen some videos of Black Crown Initiate, which is an incredible band, but they are off on the clean harmonies. Real bummer.
Mikal of Opeth has a great clean voice and a great growl, but again he can't manage something in the middle.


It's funny, you and i have completely opposite tastes in metal. I guess it goes to show that the genre is far more diverse that most people outside it realize. It also shows how peer groups affect your listening habits. I'd say 90% of the bands you listed in passing I've only heard of recently and most are a hard pass for me. It is probably just the angle you come at it from. For me and my friends we started with classic metal, then trash/speed, and moved up to grind and death metal.
Mudvayne's rhythm section is really the only reason to listen to them. Ryan Martinie is a beast. Slipknot has never had a powerful bass player, but I prefer their writing 100% more. I don't know when you saw them together, but Slipknot is a very different band from when they started. They write actual music without losing the face-punching factor.
Sorry but I don't hear any singing in Neurosis or YOB. I likes me some growling, don't get me wrong, but there is a difference. There needs to be a harmony or melody for me to consider it 'singing' versus 'vocals'. Again if you haven't heard The Gray Chapter, you should give it a listen, Taylor's voice has become more than just shouting at a mic, AND he can do it live. He did a cover of Rainbow in the Dark that is pretty fantastic considering he covering one of the best all time metal vocalists.

True singing is totally a natural talent that you simply have or don't. You can train it, but the sound of your voice is the sound of your voice and nothing can change that. I'm sure the half way point is hard and that's why so few people can do it, or if they start off with it, they eventually stop and just go clean.
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I get you on Neurosis, especially their older material... it's mostly shouting. Their newer stuff is Invalid Link Removed though. More actual pitch.

Yob, however, I think you should take a second listen to, as while there are black metalish screams, I'd say on the whole that there's more singing than not. We actually have the same view of "singing" versus "vocals." Mike's singing has often been described as "a more metal Geddy Lee." This song actually has both his vocals and a guest appearance by Scott Kelly of Neurosis... singing, towards the end. Mike can do it live, too, though of course it is somewhat dependent on how the monitors are, too. One of the dudes in the genre who I think is equally good as a singer and a guitarist.

Slipknot I've heard a couple of the later songs of. I don't view them with the disdain I used to back when I saw them in 2001, but they're still not my thing.

I actually also kinda started with old school metal and thrash. Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament and so on. Then I got into black metal, which in some ways is more like doom... and since I always loved Black Sabbath, I started listening to a lot of doom metal in college. Since then it's been my go-to part of the genre.

Singing/vocals... kind of a weird thing. Almost anyone can with practice at least learn to sing in key. Of course, not everyone's going to have a beautiful singing voice. Most people can, through experimentation, I think, learn how to do black/death metal vocals without hurting themselves. The in-between, though, singing with gruffness/grit, without hurting oneself... that poopie is really damn hard to do.
 
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#125
So I think i figured out how to do this: if this works, it is a vid we shot at practice trying out our guitar players new iPad and some recording app or something. Our guitar player and drummer are husband and wife, and their daughter was filming. We have been together for about 13 years, and this is some of the only video footage we have. We never think to film stuff.



We have CD's on iTunes with better quality sound.
 
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#127
I think I love this thread.
It makes me remember when I picked up my first Emperor album, and eagerly anticipating the next issue of Metal Maniacs (which I always thought was the best of its day). And when I picked up Unleashed, Katatonia, Iced Earth based on cover art alone.
Well done everyone.
I started out playing rhythm guitar, first in a sludge band, then a couple of years later in a progressive doom band.
Then when I changed states, I took a massive left turn and started playing bass and mandolin, in a pagan folk rock band.
Best thing that could have happened, as I'm kind of obsessed with the bass now. Ibanez 5 string ergodyne and unfretted 6 BTB something er other.
Listening to Beyond Creation, anything with Tyr playing on it, Ihsahn, Theatre of Tragedy, Eluveitie, etc.etc.
 
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#132
Herrick is another Metal fan checking in.

I started playing bass on a MIM Fender P Bass when I was 17 (I think). As far as Metal influences back then, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden was the biggest one. Then Cliff Burton, even if I couldn't (and still can't) really hear him on Lightning & Puppets. I started playing guitar exclusively in my early 20s but that was very sporadic. I've been farting around with bass & guitar since I joined this forum, not really dedicating myself to either instrument and hence not really progressing. I haven't even played bass in months.

It's hard for me to be influenced by Metal bassists since most of them are buried in the mix. I've been getting into Mastodon lately and Troy Sanders has been making me want to play bass again. I like his distorted tone particularly on last year's Pink Pop performance.

My favorite genres are Thrash & Death. Anyone who is into Thrash, check out Vektor.
 
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#133
socialleper said:
Between 1987 and 1992 some of the greatest metal was released. If you really look at some of the legendary albums from this time period, its impressive to think how much came out in just a five year period.
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Agreed. I would even go back to 1985. So many great albums. I was fortunate to be living in the middle of the U.S. during that time and saw many of the bands from that era multiple times as they would go back and fourth from coast to coast. Good times, good times.
 
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#134
Zodion said:
Man the more I look out into the world of bass, the more that I have to learn because there is so much out there. Gotta keep away from being content and just reminded that there is always more to learn :bassist:
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The key to not getting "old" is not settling just on the things you like from when you were in your 20s. A lot of guys my age (almost 40) having been listening to the same stuff for 20 years and complain that there is nothing good out there these days. BS! You just have to look further than the radio 'cause it ain't there.
I'm always looking for new stuff and finding new stuff with awesome bass players, which totally keeps me motivated with my bass playing as well.
 
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#135
It's great to see all you guys here :hyper: I haven't been on too much because my band auditioned a drummer. We met up today and he played good and really likes our stuff. So Tuesday we are gonna meet up again after he has time to learn a couple of our songs and see what happens :bassist:

Since bass and drums work together like hamburgers and ketchup, any of you Metal heads have a fellow metal drummer? Or have they been getting on your nerves ?:thumbsup:;)
 
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#136
socialleper said:
The key to not getting "old" is not settling just on the things you like from when you were in your 20s. A lot of guys my age (almost 40) having been listening to the same stuff for 20 years and complain that there is nothing good out there these days. BS! You just have to look further than the radio 'cause it ain't there.
I'm always looking for new stuff and finding new stuff with awesome bass players, which totally keeps me motivated with my bass playing as well.
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Yeah. Finding newer stuff that's interesting can take some effort, but is ultimately worth it.
 
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#137
Korladis said:
Yeah. Finding newer stuff that's interesting can take some effort, but is ultimately worth it.
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speaking of underground rescources...what magazines or web sites do any of you use to access good stuff? I used to have a subscription to MRR, Pit Magazine out of Colorado, and then would pick up 'zines, but the record shop where I used to get that stuff here in town is dying out. I still use MRR for my hardcore and punk stuff, but how do I find the good metal?
 
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#138
xUptheIronsx said:
speaking of underground rescources...what magazines or web sites do any of you use to access good stuff? I used to have a subscription to MRR, Pit Magazine out of Colorado, and then would pick up 'zines, but the record shop where I used to get that stuff here in town is dying out. I still use MRR for my hardcore and punk stuff, but how do I find the good metal?
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The Sludgelord blog/review site, and the Cvlt Nation e-zine are the biggest ones, for me.
 
#139
There's a handful of bass players out there in some new & some older bands that really grab my stones. I've been listening to Alex Webster since 1990 & got to see him last week in NYC on the winter 2015 tour with Behemoth & C.C. What an awesome show & Alex sounded great!
 
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#140
The_Beast said:
There's a handful of bass players out there in some new & some older bands that really grab my stones. I've been listening to Alex Webster since 1990 & got to see him last week in NYC on the winter 2015 tour with Behemoth & C.C. What an awesome show & Alex sounded great!
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Man I wish I could see those guys together! :D Orion from Behemoth is no joke either he's a tank :bassist: Webster is awesome too although I've never seen them live because this area likes country and I don't have the means to travel far to see death metal :bawl:
 
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