Metal with Flashy Bassists

[I-Flux]

I definitely know some bands with bassists that have unbelievable talent.


It's not really good thing to say when talking about "great" bassists, but I usually look at the flashy side of bass playing. Fast bassists always catch my ears.
I know there are plenty of non-flashy but great bassist, but as of now, I'm only looking for flashy ones.


Cannibal Corpse
Blood Red Throne
Necrophagist
Brain Drill
Symphony X
Origin
Dream Theater


Any subgenere in Metal. I think you guys have more information. Can you share it together?

 

[cabrego]

Racer X

 

[Lammchop93]

Ryan Martinie(sp?)- Mudvayne

Great bassist and can hold a groove.

 

[fractiouslowend]

the faceless
sikth
meshuggah
opeth
psyopus
behemoth
hiroshima will burn
the berzerker

 

[I-Flux]

hmm...behemoth, i don't know. I don't find his bass playing so flashy.
Meshuggah is mainly rhythmic sense. that's for sure.


psyopus, yes that band is very unorthodox

 

[EviscerateNick]

PAVOR
DEEDS OF FLESH(of what's to come)


Both are tastefully flashy

 

[oniman7]

Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. lol. Even if you can gallop at his speed (which, admittedly, doesn't take long to get used to) it's very hard to do it for 5 minutes. I had to stop Run To the Hills 3 and a half minutes in because my hand was cramping and locking up.

 

[tom once dead]

Listen to early Children of Bodom. Henkka is my favourite bassist, he holds down the low end when its needed but can do crazy solos if he wants to as well.

 

[Ayliffe]

ChaoTH from the band uneXpect

 

[champbassist]

Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. lol. Even if you can gallop at his speed (which, admittedly, doesn't take long to get used to) it's very hard to do it for 5 minutes. I had to stop Run To the Hills 3 and a half minutes in because my hand was cramping and locking up.

Even with 3 fingers?

I nominate Primus, Nuclear Rabbit, Brain Drill, Racer X for flashy bassists. John Myung is fast, but definitely not flashy.

Oh and also Manowar

 

[oniman7]

Even with 3 fingers?

I nominate Primus, Nuclear Rabbit, Brain Drill, Racer X for flashy bassists. John Myung is fast, but definitely not flashy.

Oh and also Manowar

I tried three fingers (I'm not very good at it) two fingers (1-2) and two fingers (1-3). None really worked, so I alternated.

It's easier with 2, just more tiring.

 

[champbassist]

It's easier with 2, just more tiring.

I agree: I finally got up to speed with two fingers but it's pretty tough on the arm muscles. I can nail it with 3, so why bother

Steve Harris is a beast. The guy's also a fantastic soccer player, I've heard, so he must be pretty strong.

 

[XXL]

Give Atheist a try.

 

[dukeisdog]

Protest the Hero? Most of you guys probably wouldn't be into them, but some could consider them Metalcore. Arif is a beast.

 

[Nic.]

I don't know if you would consider this, but Toshiya from the japanese band Dir En Grey plays some very interesting lines. I always have a lot of fun covering their songs with my band. It's not blindingly fast, but some of their stuff is pretty unique.

try the studio version instead.

 

[I-Flux]

I'm Japanese, but I'm a big hater of Dir En Grey...sorry.


also, let's consider Fast as Flashy as well. 3 finger technique is difficult in orthodox (3-2-1-2-3-2-1) way for me. I rather find unorthodox 3 finger (3-2-1-3-2-1) much more easier. But I usually use 4 fingers when it's fast (16th notes in 170 BPM and up)

 

[champbassist]

also, let's consider Fast as Flashy as well. 3 finger technique is difficult in orthodox (3-2-1-2-3-2-1) way for me. I rather find unorthodox 3 finger (3-2-1-3-2-1) much more easier.

I consider what you mentioned to be orthodox as unorthodox and vice versa. 3-2-1-3-2-1 is the natural manner of movement of the human fingers. I have, in my support of this fact, one Billy Sheehan. Ever heard of him?

And how on Earth did I miss Billy in my list for flashiest bassists? Every band he is in gets lit up by his unabashed bravado

 

[I-Flux]

I consider what you mentioned to be orthodox as unorthodox and vice versa. 3-2-1-3-2-1 is the natural manner of movement of the human fingers. I have, in my support of this fact, one Billy Sheehan. Ever heard of him?

And how on Earth did I miss Billy in my list for flashiest bassists? Every band he is in gets lit up by his unabashed bravado

oh really? Most of the friends of mine who play bass said most teacher will teach you 3-2-1-2-3-2-1 way. Steve DiGorgio also play that way. Alex Webster asked Steve DiGorgio how to play 16ths on fingers but after feeling uncomfortable, ended up using 3-2-1-3-2-1.

 

[champbassist]

oh really? Most of the friends of mine who play bass said most teacher will teach you 3-2-1-2-3-2-1 way. Steve DiGorgio also play that way. Alex Webster asked Steve DiGorgio how to play 16ths on fingers but after feeling uncomfortable, ended up using 3-2-1-3-2-1.

Billy goes 3-2-1-3-2-1, as seen in this lesson:



Watch from around 6:25 onwards.

If you play 3-2-1-2-3-2-1-2, notice how your 2nd finger does twice the work. This is also pointed out by Billy in the above video.

 

[I-Flux]

no no no. I know Billy does that. I mean I know Billy you know...

I was just talking about 3-2-1-2-3-2-1 being the "orthodox way". Remember, I do it the Billy's way.