What characterizes a metal bassline?

[Gashamuta Ougabougou]

I mean they sound different from a rock/funk/pop/other genres basslines.

 

[bholder]

dissonant, minor, and whatever rythym fits the tune

 

[factorplayer]

I don't think basslines in metal are as beholden to a particular feel as say, reggae or disco. it's truly about serving the song. You can double the rhythm guitar, or go totally out to left field Primus-style. As long as it works.

 

[Funkmabassup]

Brutal picking with the amp on max and overdrivepedal with a Dean Demonator or a BC Rich. The amp will then act like an interdimensional gateway too hell and you will feel Satans precense fill the practiceroom

 

[Thuddy Waters]

One common characteristic of a metal bassline is not being able to hear the bassline.

 

[thabassmon]

Typically
Straight feel, not swung.
Pedal tones with smaller rhythmic subdivisions (16ths etc)
Scale sequences with rhythmic syncopation
usually in tandem with guitar but not necessarily.

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Listen to Orion by Metallica. Best metal bassline ever. Period. It's just a shame that Cliff is dead. Too young...

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Depend the style of metal we are talking but still, usually in metal the whole band is a "rythm section" ( even though I hate this term ) which mean both guitar and the bass play the same thing and the drums follow the rythm use double bass drums.

But we see a lot of tapping, slap, sweep picking using fingers, fretless, extended range and more adventurous line overall and they ask for more virtuosity from the player ...

Maybe you should Watch "Metal a Headbanger's journey" documentary made by an anthropologist who love metal.

 

[GKon]

This:

 

[Edgar664]

The attitude

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Watch this:
Form you impatient folks, skip to 1:44 and 4:00 minutes for some great bass playing. Skip to 6:36 for some MIND-BLOWINGLY AMAZING BASS PLAYING.

 

[20db pad]

I'm hoping this thread won't be as maddening as the "Hip Hop bass lines : do they exsist" thread !

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

I'm hoping this thread won't be as maddening as the "Hip Hop bass lines : do they exsist" thread !

If I ever become a rapper's bass player, I'll make the answer 'hell yes!' I'll make sure he isn't one of those idiots who writes about his 'bling, bitches in da crib, or SWAG, and is someone who writes more like 2Pac or Biggie Smalls. I don't listen to them much, but I think they were both great writers.

 

[pravus]

I think the comment about nothing being swung was pretty dead on. The best metal to my ears is always the precise stuff so synchronized attacks with the guitars and drums with everything being very metronomic. Generally triplets or syncopation is used to break up tedium and droning. In fast sections the sound has to be tight so you can hear everything without muddiness. Those are a few of my thoughts.