10 Best Heavy Metal Bassists of All Time
Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris is one of Audio Ink Radio’s best heavy metal bassists of all time – Review by Anne Erickson, photo by John McMurtrie
Audio Ink Radio presents its list of 10 of the best heavy metal bassists of all time
There’s nothing like the sound and feel of a great bass line. A choice bass line will hit you in the gut, and soul, and make you want to move. That said, a great bass player can bring a lot to a heavy metal band or a band of any genre, really. While bassists are often spotlighted in jazz and funk music, don’t underestimate the power of a fantastic bass slinger in heavy metal. The best heavy metal bassists of all time bring something unique and singular to their respective bands and musical projects.
Heavy metal certainly doesn’t lack for fantastic bass players. In honor of the players who lay down the low end, here are Audio Ink Radio’s 10 best heavy metal bassists of all time. Also, send you choices to us via Twitter here and Facebook at this spot.
10. Frank Bello, Anthrax
Frank Bello began his career with Anthrax as a roadie, but his role quickly evolved. Bello stepped up into the main bass player role after original bass player Danny Lilker parted ways with the band. I personally think Bello is an underrated bassist. Not only does he have great bass lines that fit the music, but he’s also charismatic on the stage.
9. Ian Hill, Judas Priest
The primary role of a great bass player is to be in the pocket and serve the song. Ian Hill of Judas Priest does just that. He’s a steady, reliable bass player, and he’s always in the pocket. Hill also has a great groove that locks in the with the drums and leaves space for the guitars in Judas Priest to soar.
8. Jon Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin
It’s a bit unclear whether Jon Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin falls into the heavy metal or hard rock bassist category. But, considering that Zeppelin are often referenced as the first metal band, we’re going with the former. In Zeppelin, Jon Paul Jones juggled bass with performing keys for the band. He was one of the most gifted bass players of his era and served as an integral part of Zeppelin. He also appeared on all of the band’s celebrated albums.
7. John Myung, Dream Theater
John Myung is an incredibly innovative bass player. In Dream Theater, he plays both four and six-string basses. What really makes Myung stand apart is that he’s a truly technical player. His bass lines in Dream Theater are complex and precise.
6. Justin Chancellor, Tool
Tool is a band that could be categorized as something other than heavy metal, perhaps prog-metal. But, for the purposes of this list, we’re bringing out the heavy metal in Tool. Justin Chancellor plays his bass like a lead guitarist. His bass lines are among the most recognizable in metal music. Who can forget the banger of a bass line that starts off “Schism?”
5. Jason Newsted, Metallica, Voivod and More
It had to be an incredibly difficult task to step into Metallica following the death of beloved bass player Cliff Burton. But, Jason Newsted was up to the challenge. Furthermore, even after his bass playing got muddied and buried on “…And Justice for All,” he stayed with Metallica and continued to enhance their music. After leaving Metallica in 2001, he went on to play in Voivod and a range of other projects. He’s just a solid, gifted player, and he’s one of the best heavy metal bassists of all time.
4. Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath
Geezer Butler is one of the founding fathers of the metal bass. Just take a listen to his early bass solos in Black Sabbath, such as on “War Pigs” and “Sweet Leaf.” In Black Sabbath, Butler help shape the heavy metal low-end style, throwing in shades of doom and sludge. His influence is unmeasurable.
3. Lemmy Kilmister, Motorhead
Not too many bassists are known by only their first or last names. Jaco and Claypool come to mind. But, in the heavy metal world, Lemmy Kilmister is one of those bass greats. Lemmy was the founder, main songwriter and vocalist of Motorhead. His playing was loud and aggressive, and he was known for his powerful live shows. When he passed away in 2015, he left behind a legacy of straight-ahead heavy metal bass playing, plus great Motorhead songs that never get old.
2. Steve Harris, Iron Maiden
Steve Harris isn’t only the bass player of Iron Maiden. He’s also the main songwriter and founding member of the celebrated British heavy metal band. Harris has such a heavy hand in all of Iron Maiden’s music, that every one of their songs reflects his style and personality. Harris is not only an influencer in heavy metal bass but also in heavy metal, period.
1. Cliff Burton, Metallica
The late, great Cliff Burton was unrivaled in his creativity and mastering of the bass guitar. While some might say he’s not the most technical bass player, Burton knew how to make the listener feel something deep. His bass lines were not only perfect for the song at hand, but they also made the song better. Moreover, he essentially created the blueprint for the heavy metal bass. Burton made the bass a lead instrument, taking it out of the background. For his unwavering influence, Cliff Burton is No. 1 on our list of the best heavy metal bassists of all time.
Find Audio Ink Radio’s list of the best heavy metal drummers of all time here.
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