10 Stupidly Fast Bassists in Rock + Metal

[@NewGamer101]

out of every clip on the internet. thats what you use for Les Claypool

[@thebushkid]

The clip wasn't even a primus clip too. I think it was from one of his one off bands

[@brandon4158]

I was gonna say the same thing. He should be #1

[@lito11111940]

Les never gets respect

[@johniadanza5213]

@@thebushkid khaldrogo just gave him a lot of spect& apparently learned how to play me Alamo MuD bassline from him

[@archstanton1628]

Think it was to justify having some of the horseshit they wanted to rate above him.

[@loiteringrambler2928]

Jason Newstead on AJFA was so fast you couldnt even hear it

[@jjandjacks7928]

Heh, nonexistant bass jokes.

[@nathanblindt]

Have you heard and justice for jason its amazing

[@deanarupe73]

That was a good one.

[@robbaxter60]

I see what you did there. Well done

[@iamalpharius9483]

It's ok. Nobody was missing anything.

[@EricJh21690]

0:55 the fact he's doing that on a fretless makes it even more impressive to me...Death was the shit as well. RIP Chuck 🤘🏼

[@The_Noticer.]

if only you could hear steve in the mix...

[@VicSellsPeace]

@@The_Noticer. I can hear him in the mix very well in every album he was in with Death

[@AcidWords1]

@@VicSellsPeace In fact he dominated the mix in Individual Thought Patterns. The bass was more audible in the remastered version of Human.

[@VicSellsPeace]

@@AcidWords1 I'm blessed he's in the new Megadeth album coming up

[@dadaaroz9888]

les claypool too

[@Ramoa111]

just wanna say off this list only Les Claypool can sing, dance and play the sickest tabs at the same time

[@shanewilson199]

Geddy sings, plays keyboard, and often plays bass and keyboard pedals with his feet at the same time.

[@thatpinkdudefromstupidtown6040]

@@shanewilson199 And your point?

[@shanewilson199]

@@thatpinkdudefromstupidtown6040 I was merely pointing out that geddy lee can do quite a few things at the same time. I wasn’t detracting from les claypool’s stature. I’m sorry if you’ve taken offense at my comment. It wasn’t my intention to upset you. Sorry.

[@thatpinkdudefromstupidtown6040]

@@shanewilson199 It's ok. What I hate about the rock and metal community is they think that skills and music is a competition. They tell you what band makes better music, what musician has better skills, what singer is better, blah.

[@shanewilson199]

@@thatpinkdudefromstupidtown6040 never said one was better that the other. Who is the best is subjective if you can’t quantify something that is directly pertinent to their endeavors. Speed means nothing in bass playing. I love tony levin, doesn’t play quick at all...

[@mooncalfpaints9750]

Les plays faster than the clip you have for him.

[@tn4234]

@@noone26667 its so good!

[@drphilsranch6782]

I just gotta say les is better than flea

[@Harley_Gazzard]

Les is unquantifiable

[@alexberube5269]

@@drphilsranch6782 yeah les should've been above flea

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

why the Fuck didn't they use ANY performance of Tommy the Cat? also , STEVE HARRIS, GEEZER BUTLER, AND CLIFF BURTON?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!??! wtf!

[@colina1330]

I love how John Entwistle always looked like he was trying to remember if he left the iron on when he ripped a crazy bass solo.

[@josephancion2190]

Entwistle always looked like he was being held hostage and had become dead inside.

[@mrmetalministry5624]

Exactly

[@brandonofthedead]

He was so good the who was too simple for him. You could tell he needed no effort to play, total auto pilot.

[@presence9745]

His was the most impressive

[@69Curtdog]

Considering the shit the other 9 put out #10 is a fucking insult.

[@Kostyamba1944]

Timecodes: 0:07 - John Entwistle (The Who) ; 0:35 - Geddy Lee (Rush); 0:56 - Steve Digiorgio (Death); 1:14 - Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse); 1:47 - Les Claypool (Primus); 2:19 - Flea (RHCP); 2:54 - Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG); 3:11 - John Myung (Dream Theater); 3:21 - Jared Smith (Archspire); 3:43 - Mike Flores (Origin).

[@johniadanza4510]

TyVM

[@zakkman]

Спасибо, Костянчик =)

[@Kostyamba1944]

@@zakkman, 😁

[@josephpoe-uf8ml]

What is the very last song??

[@huevosconchorizo8404]

@@josephpoe-uf8ml Explosion of Fury by Origin

[@aeijae80]

Les Claypool has the one of the cleanest and fastest thumps I’ve seen. You’d think he’d use the Victor Wooten style double thump, but claypool uses straight singles.

[@loganb6439]

1:15 Ahh yes, the heaviest part of cannibal corpse besides George's neck

[@Jotavelobo]

This Song is from conquering dystopia

[@BurningRabbit666]

Any Corpsegrinder neck joke gets an upvote from me! \m/.

[@lenpelechytik9574]

What neck? He has no neck. Its just a clump of muscle that his head is attached to. Tou couldnt hang that man if you tried. He would just scream and the rope would snap

[@MegaChorro123]

Len Pelechytik The man is immune to choke holds 😂🤘🏽

[@Sasquatch0251]

They should have used a clip of the instrumental play through the band did of frantic disembowelment. The fretwork on that song is absolutely insane. Corpsegrinders neck is also molded from a substance harder than any other known to man

[@sonopro1]

Les Claypool...not only is he super fast, but when it comes to his instrument, he is also a magnificent creator/inventor

[@galileogalilei6936]

Alex Webster is an underrated bassist, wish people talked about him more.

[@ashleighsalinas8526]

This. Alex is incredible

[@WilderAutumnBlaze]

Yup

[@anaussieplays763]

I don't listen to Cannibal Corpse but damn man Alex was ATTACKING those strings with his right hand

[@danieleduardosanchezgarcia3060]

The number 5 is fake. Flea doesn't wear T-Shirt

[@batflashzyzz]

Lmfao

[@spamsingles5948]

Flea and Anthony are allergic to shirts

[@jdchd]

Spam singles just like randy from trailer park boys

[@spamsingles5948]

@@jdchd haha yeah

[@Normal-dadio]

Daniel Eduardo Sánchez García it was back in the day before global warming... It was cold

[@disasterpiecemusic]

Victor Wooten - Flight of the Bumblebee. Ryan Martinie - shame he hasn’t ended up in an objectively ‘better’ or well known band. That guy is amazing.

[@Sebgeetarman]

Ryan is br br DENG man

[@SirFooplesTheThird]

Ryan is my number 1 favorite bassist. Weird to say but he and Mark Hoppus got me into bass playing at all

[@fateofthenine]

So glad someone mentioned Ryan. That dude is bad ass

[@kjc9trader491]

No Question - But Victor Wooten ain't Rock + Metal!...

[@disasterpiecemusic]

kjc9 trader Sure, thats fair. But I may argue that Wooten has brushed up against what could be considered as ‘rock’ a few times in his career (DMB, Gov’t Mule, Etc.).

[@nordimejia5790]

There is a difference between fast and good.... Ryan martinie has both. I agree with bassist from Rush.

[@rivercress1042]

Everyone forgets Matt Freeman too. Yeah he plays with a pick, but who cares?

[@gustru2078]

@@rivercress1042 It's either for convenience or to get a specific sound in my opinion. Doesn't matter what tools you use as long as it delivers. He could be playing bass (violin style) with a bow for all I care, it still counts as a bass

[@rivercress1042]

@@gustru2078 yeah dude I know, I use a pick too when I want that sound. But there's always nay-sayers

[@EidolonReverie]

Yeah, but this video is SPECIFICALLY for the fast basists

[@kylemonsterdrywallfistbump5948]

@@EidolonReverie ryan plays very fast. He's amazing on all levels and very underrated

[@catjudo1]

I gotta give a shoutout for Mr. BrBr Deng himself, Ryan Martinie. That guy is fantastic in Mudvayne, and in Soften the Glare (a jazz/fusion project) the man is on another planet. There must be so many great bassists out there we've never heard of...

[@briannovak7651]

I searched the comments to see if anyone listed him or was mad he wasnt on the list. Hes one of my favorites

[@declinetostate9727]

I can just imagine a collaboration of Claypool and Frank Zappa. That would've been epic.

[@thescottishcrusader2781]

*YES!!!!!!!*

[@Fuckaue]

LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

[@thescottishcrusader2781]

Iohan Klaus this cannot happen as Frank's been dead since 1993. Sorry to be a killjoy

[@Fuckaue]

I was also joking. I always make imaginary super groups with dead members...

[@thescottishcrusader2781]

Oh, sorry

[@Mr.iceman83]

John myung is the master of playing extremely fast while maintaining clarity in each note. Top 4 for me: John myung, Flea, Billy Sheehan and Les claypool, in any order.

[@drphilsranch6782]

Mr Iceman, I think les Claypool would be number one in my opinion. He sings while playing some the hardest bass lines I’ve ever seen and he did something nobody on this list could do....... make bass a lead instrument

[@s.a.l.1974]

Chronos chronos chronos in that order

[@thedronedownunder3919]

@@s.a.l.1974 yes

[@clairwilliams5982]

Dr Phils Ranch only just found this.... John Entwhistle was playing lead on bass guitar before many of these were born. Check out the Who.

[@fabiozucconi7068]

flea nr 3 is ridiculous. great grooves but there are way faster metal ock bassist out there

[@Metalhead0985]

John myung is by far one of the most underrated on this list. They didn't even show that great of a clip of him. His has way better skills than shown

[@lorpal1]

Thats probably because he himself is understated - most humble down to earth musician with those skills that I've ever seen interviewed (except maybe Victor Wooten)

[@ziegh5369]

I think he's underrated because in dream theater, the bass only is audible when petrucci stops playing guitar (dance of eternity)

[@damian.739]

@@ziegh5369 that’s is mainly because the bass in DT is used to kinda blend into into the guitar for pretty much a more full guitar tone for better or for worse

[@juiloi2788]

@@ziegh5369 that's because Myung plays same melody appregios and shredding as guitar and keyboard plays. So it is hard to hear the bass distinctly. But same situation for keyboard too. Since they all play the same melody, it is difficult to hear bass when you can't even differentiatr the sound between keyboard and guitar

[@Ratkill9000]

@@ziegh5369 Have to agree. Constant Motion, Dance of Eternity, you can barely hear his bass until it's his solo parts. They put Petrucci's guitar way too high in my opinion.

[@gorlaaaaami]

Love Les Claypool and Primus but if he never used that effect again it wouldn’t break my heart.

[@TinkerToneworks]

it's very primus.

[@ryanwarsh]

I think that’s an envelope filter. I’ve never heard another bassist use it, so it makes sense that Les Claypool would.

[@lewisfane1924]

Primus sucks!

[@triledink]

Number 1: every bass player qualified to play in technical death metal.

[@toyotaecw]

triledink Lemmy wasn’t fast, but he was on speed. That should count for something.

[@WolfHead0207]

whole genre is shit... unclean sound and you can play however you want...

[@regortex3364]

Bernard Montgomery 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein - the opposite is true.

[@dnadeau819]

Yes the genre you enjoy most is the best!

[@coffinfeeder7732]

@dnadeau819 This isn’t even a debate on favorites, it’s just fact that technical death metal bassists have a stupidly fast technique compared to most rock and metal/metal sub genre bassists. Look at Stephan Fimmers or really any tech death bassist and they’ll fit right into this list.

[@TheRimeOfTheAncientMariner]

Pretty cool but the thing about playing bass super fast is it just gets all muddled unless you're playing it solo.

[@AaronKaiMCDNLD]

that why nost of the guys here, were either Technical Masters, or frontman and or known for soloing

[@gasmaskedbassist1538]

Your not wrong

[@jessegilbert9568]

Awww. Does someone suck at bass and have a shitty ear for music? I pretty much only still listen to Cannibal Corpse for the bass. The fuck kind of metal are you guys listening to where the bass gets washed out, early 90s black metal? Just because you guys play one string bass lines like some kind of early 2000s shitty pop punk band and can't listen for the bass in music are not the collective, shared shortcomings of all musicians. There is technology for people who can't hear bass....subwoofers, stereos with bass boost, headphones that aren't from Dollar Tree, your ears....just use whatever is available and if you still can't hear the bass, I assure you it *is* there and the problem is definitely you.

[@hannes1734]

@@jessegilbert9568 Well, at a certain tempo, you won't be able to distinguish the notes if the bass is in Drop G or some shit. Like, even in Doomsday it's difficult to tell what note he's playing, and you wouldn't even notice if his bass was really tuned to Drop G

[@jessegilbert9568]

@@hannes1734 you couldn't be more wrong. Like, yeah, I was being a dick to everyone who posted before me, but I'm not being shitty toward you....but you're very wrong. People can train their ears to distinguish notes and tunings with enough practice and time. It helps as a player, but more specifically as a transcriptionist. People, myself included to an extent, can hear a piece of music and automatically discern which tuning is being used. It's not critical to music, but it helps and will develope naturally over time if you take it serious, even as a hobby.

[@notsure4018]

Always loved that Les Claypool auditioned for Metallica and he was turned down, because he was to good.

[@akmadsen]

There's an interview with Les about it here on KZbin. It sounds like it was more of a "it's not a great match" kinda thing.

[@DLBBALL]

@@akmadsen Yup. IIRC Jason's biggest songwriting contributions while in Metallica were for Blackened and Where the Wild Things Are... For Metallica to even begin to accept Les Claypool into Metallica post-Cliff Burton, Les Claypool would've had to act way less eccentric and have basically no control over songwriting... Sure a Metallica gig would pay BIG bucks, but it would've cost Les Claypool absolutely all his creativity, like with Jason... But really, why ponder about this? The past is the past. Metallica's made good music in the past, and so has Primus (I think, I don't really listen to them). Let's just enjoy them for what they are.

[@goodmansteve2481]

That had nothing to do with him being too good, it wasn’t their style so they didn’t except him

[@remisramosc]

They needed a guy with long hair and good looks, not a good bass player. They (Lars and James) never had the intention of letting a bass player shine on a Metallica album again. Not even Trujillo has a fair share in the mixes.

[@ikon4255]

no he didn’t fit in

[@lewismx8815]

John Myung makes it look like it requires no effort at all, look how calm and in control he is.

[@watermelon2448]

I think Dominic Forest Lapointe is the current best in terms of playing ludicrously difficult stuff effortlessly though Myung has been at it a lot longer

[@43captrexkramer]

Been a guitar player forever and seen Dream Theatre a couple of times, the thing that jumped out at me the first time I saw them was Christ that guy's phenomenal. Whole band is great except vocals bother after a while.

[@my_name_1s_mud_809]

Les number 6? He'd smoke all those metal bassist in "speed" if he wanted to and could do it cleaner and clearer. Entwistle, Sheehan, Lee, and Flea aswell. Hate how people see over use of hammer ons and pull offs as amazing... sync it with your picking hand.. rant over, they all very talented.

[@giovanniparadiso1519]

Bruh, this isn't a top 10 compilation Just a normal compilation of 10 very good bassists

[@my_name_1s_mud_809]

@@giovanniparadiso1519 I'll agree. I said they ALL very good. It's a personal thing when it comes to metal bass playing. I hate nearly inaudible pull/ hammer riffs on the low end. Still stand by my statement tho lol

[@ArturoM6661]

@@my_name_1s_mud_809 shut the fuck up

[@my_name_1s_mud_809]

@@ArturoM6661 haha triggered little bitch

[@SLAYER.APO.VOLO.]

@@my_name_1s_mud_809 Les Claypool is surely better than Flea though. As for Metal bass as you say, chill man, the guy is funky, he's not a Metal bassist. Can't compare the two

[@lancehandy6648]

Dude from cannibal corpse looked fast, could hardly hear anything though

[@KingBarney]

Blame that on how metal basically makes bass nonexistent. Alex is an absolute monster.

[@tn4234]

@@KingBarney yeah its so satisfying seeing him play

[@theyankeedownunder9206]

Coolest thing about Alex is that if you catch him post show he'll give you tips and mini lessons

[@robtos1194]

"Dude from cannibal corpse" Alex Webster is a world class bassist so is billy sheehan

[@BurningRabbit666]

It helps with really good headphones, but even with some fairly high end ones it's true that it's difficult to hear what he's playing

[@schelcidbiel]

The Les bit was so different from everyone else’s solos

[@zal8424]

Because primus sucks

[@shagmydog]

@@zal8424 agreed

[@alicethemaliceofficial]

West Stafford Primus sucks is their slogan

[@shagmydog]

@@alicethemaliceofficial it's still hilarious that we say this out of love for them

[@FM-wc8gu]

@@alicethemaliceofficial Les said it like one time to be funny and everyone chants it now. The band does not like it at all.

[@Userunknown1020]

I'm disappointed that Ryan Martinie isn't on here

[@TrauminiumGames]

He is one of the best but I wouldn't say the fastest one.

[@DaDewd2112]

I love how all of them look either super chilled-out or absolutely grooving

[@andrewpappas9311]

Cliff Burton? Some of the stuff he played was insane

[@jjandjacks7928]

Glad i'm actually not the only one that thought this, everyone else is ignoring him. But like seriously, i feel like he should be here considering that he was part of one of (if not the) most famous metal bands of all time and he had crazy bass work before like 8 out of the 10 bands on this lost were even a thing. Listen to Anesthesia pulling teeth for example, which was made in 1983.

[@franklinriley7074]

Insane? Lol really

[@lobotomizedbarbie]

Franklin Riley yes

[@cooltravis6945]

Franklin Riley anestesia 1983 live

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Dude, they snubbed Steve Harris and Geezer Butler Cliff wasn't going to make it either, these people are idiots, they're are even faster bassists than what they showed, fuck, I'm as fast as some of these guys, and I'm usually a guitarist.

[@StuntcatTV]

"Hey, betcha can't play this!" "Nah, don't even wanna."

[@derreckossas4951]

Brbr Deng?

[@YoSoyNajera]

Steve Digiorgio's bass tone was by far the tastiest and most creamy that I ever heard

[@groovyryo88]

Where is ryan martinie of mudvayne? You forget the best dude

[@AbhiBass96]

Monster on the bass!

[@bread_girl_jane]

B R B R D E N G

[@toddwilliams2959]

I agree! And Matt McDonough (Mudvayne) should get more recognition for being an awesome drummer. Especially on L.D.50. Very creative album all around.

[@skaladarrellgodeater1070]

Yeah! Thats what I call, play.the bass!

[@franklinriley7074]

Mediocre in comparison to these guys

[@631strongislandkid]

Where's Token from Faith +1???

[@andymastojira1963]

Thank you... I literally spit out chips and salsa when reading this. " Token you black asshole " !!!

[@rustyshackleford5553]

Finger bang bang you into my life

[@Satans_Financial_Advisor]

Nice name drop.

[@andredesenaaugusto4357]

Best comment ever

[@bradyhansen3582]

I wanna kneel before you Jesus, feel your salvation all over my face!!!

[@ValroggTheInvincible]

Y'all realize the title is '10 bassists' An not 'TOP 10 bassists'....right?

[@michaelmace924]

Not till you pointed out the obvious, lol

[@ellisdtrails420]

@@michaelmace924and obviously you missed the point of his post...

[@PWNHUB]

You realize you'd be counting up from 1 and not down from 10 then right? It's also just completely missing the icon himself...so it's basically a worthless list in all.

[@PJyrstinkangas]

Numbering them in order from ten to one definitely makes it appear as a top ten list though.

[@horsesteroids]

At first, I was like "How in the HELL is Geddy Lee at 9?" then I realized this isn't ranked.

[@hunteradams6783]

Hey Loudwire I noticed for Les Claypool's part you didnt include his actually insane bass solo, anyways it's the solo in Tommy the Cat on the live album Suck on This

[@DLevii]

I see Les Claypool, I click

[@ethanmorrow4241]

Comin' down the alleyway like butter drippin' on hot biscuits

[@paulowillianbentessampaio5864]

Realmente, um homem simples.

[@sebastianubeda8363]

I am a simple man

[@manmadeofmud]

they totally fucked him over with that clip

[@lightyourfire2996]

Hahaahahaahaha me to)

[@fanaticaldueling6337]

The fact that anyone can put Flea on a bass list above Les is just a sin

[@no-man4600]

It’s the truth

[@TheRealMtnDewMike]

I ended up reading this in hank hill’s voice because of your profile picture

[@tzctlpc]

Les is number six flea is number 5 on the list. What are you? A high person

[@fanaticaldueling6337]

@@tzctlpc didn't say anything about the gap, just said Flea is above Les

[@Jack-yj9bf]

I don't think this is in order buddy. It's just a list of fast bassists

[@AlexPhantom1292]

Les Claypool, John Myung and Cliff Burton are My favorite bassist

[@3LZN]

AlexArteaga.12 Les Claypool is a fucking god!

[@fcon8507]

Don't forget Justin Chancellor!

[@sammyscotch9945]

Jack Bruce, Jack Casady

[@davidyokley8441]

Cliff Burton is/was the Jimi Hendrix of bass, Myung is like the Steve Vai. Claypool is... well, Claypool. Phenomenal

[@sammyscotch9945]

CLAYPOOL FOR PREZ 2020

[@24caratJosh]

Borderline obsessive practice is how these legends became so great at their craft :)

[@panduro37]

Steve Digiorgio & Alex Webster... certainly the best bass players in the 90's imo

[@RaulRamirez-jv4rn]

Absolute legends the two of them.

[@davidnissim589]

Never forget, John Entwistle made the bass popular. All 9 guys ahead of him only have him to thank.

[@perryborn2777]

John Entwistle definitely inspired alot of bass players, and he was certainly pushing the limits at an early time in the instrument's life, but to say they all owe it all to Entwistle is pushing it. None of the bassists on that list are even close to derivative of anyone.

[@clairwilliams5982]

Gotta go listen to Baba Oreilly now. Cheers for the post.

[@sadhankumarbanerjee3557]

I agree with you . He is the greatest of all time.

[@AzizDoufikar2280]

Yeah and John Entwistle should thank James Jamerson for his talent.

[@michaelloomisiii3475]

And John Entwistle had some influence on all of them.

[@ezzong]

Considering he influenced Geezer Butler and Steve Harris, he really is quite a big foundation on rock and metal bass playing.

[@McDoinky]

Yet most of them are better than him

[@tntstorms7969]

John Entwistle played every note perfectly - I can't say that for most of the others. I'n not of a death metal fan with all the extra screaming, screeching, and thumping going on but I recognize talent and most of the musicians are very talented of course. John is amazing to listen especially when he solos.

[@jjandjacks7928]

Michael Loomis III maybe some, but i don't think all of them tbh. Maybe i'm wrong

[@toddheeter9075]

That's goddamn right.

[@coolbreeze625]

They forgot Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. He's just outright talented.

[@rhysevans7903]

I like how Les has morphed into geddy in his older age

[@larswesterhausen7262]

I saw them together (Primus opening for Rush on the Roll The Bones Tour, Germany in 92?) and I decided to throw away my bass guitar and become a train conductor instead.

[@rhysevans7903]

@@larswesterhausen7262 haha that would of been unbelievable to see that gig!! Saw primus a few years ago for the willy wonka tour and that was amazing,, small venue too

[@arongamman9360]

You're not exactly surprised are you? He's always been an obvious fan.

[@rhysevans7903]

@@arongamman9360 well yea but I'm on about the glasses really instead of Les looking like a 90s skater

[@wichitadisciple9874]

@@rhysevans7903 Haha... I never made the connection between their glasses before... Duh, where have I been :)

[@kylepartridge100]

Les smokes Flea in every aspect...

[@Ninewave-nt9nc]

Indeed

[@braxtonfps3580]

Alex webster, jared smith and Mike flores smoke just about every other bass player regardless of genre

[@nspj9rh8bdpvpuwu0vs8]

yeah but they dont play the same thing

[@lefthook4878]

So does Alex Webster.

[@Domination93]

I really don’t like flea.

[@BungleGrindClown]

Les masters both a 4 and 5 string and he rocks the stand up bass when playing Mr. Krinkle and other songs and he also plays his infamous Carl Thompson Custom 4 String and Fretless Six String and a lot of people don't like his singing voice but I enjoy it fits with the music of Primus very well he was influenced by the avant garde band The Residents which makes great music.

[@fcon8507]

You also forgot to mention that the fuckin guy CREATED his own instruments. I'll give this list credit for including the man...any "top whatever bassists" lists should have him. But he should be #1 regardless of the topic.

[@Skelterbane69]

Fretless 6 string*

[@BungleGrindClown]

@@Skelterbane69 I forgot to mention that also

[@sagasitches6730]

les is a genius. he should be #1.

[@hankscorpion]

@@sagasitches6730 blind illusion was an amazing band.

[@leoperales7329]

I've been playing bass for a little over 15 years in a few different genres but watching this video makes me realize how far I still have to go.

[@OlivierDemeijer]

Most of them are soloing ou shredding ;) If you are like me, you are into rhythm ... which most of this top 10 is not about ;)

[@sammybeck7794]

It seems as though the faster you play the more muddled and shity it sounds. It's one thing to play fast it's another thing to play melodically. Steve Harris or Geezer Butler probably didn't make the list because they're not super duper fast, however they are both the most tasteful bassists ever

[@markusorth5450]

Billy isn't muddy at all. Moreover, although he's blinding fast, he doesn't advocate for a more is more philosophy. He's very much a student and advocate of the instrument.

[@BaldoFlores_godmetal]

Totally agree!!

[@ShermanProductions2015]

How on earth is alex Webster messy?

[@anidemolimacnauj]

Eeeh Jaco?

[@derekscanlan4641]

Steve Harris got an honourable no-mention at the end tho!

[@adizzle7457]

I kinda feel like les at 6 is a slap in the face.

[@polarisrust]

A Dizzle it’s 10 bassists not top 10 bassists. The list is not in any particular order don’t worry.

[@spamsingles5948]

a *Slap* in the face

[@jacee8094]

Pun intended?

[@FM-wc8gu]

FLEA IS BETTER j/k lol..

[@Mikishots]

@@polarisrust and yet.... A number next to each name. So why number, is the OP afraid you can't count?

[@e.ruthless4824]

People seem to think that metal bands don't require talent. Look at these men! THIS IS TALENT!!!

[@guyfauks2576]

Who says that

[@braxtonfps3580]

@@guyfauks2576 that's what I'm trying to figure out. I've seen people who don't even like metal say it takes talent

[@glennanthony2733]

@@braxtonfps3580 just a story.I'm a 16 year old metalhead and i listen to the very first metal records when i was like 8 years old (my father inteoduced me to metal) and when i was in middle school i talk to my friends about how good these metal bands are such as iron maiden,megadeth and other bands and they always say the same shit "dude metal takes no talent,they just scream like a madman and play fast" and then i disagreed so i argue with them and they say "fine" and i replied try playing this riff on a guitar and play it standing up (it was a creeping death riff and i showed them how to play it) and they butchered it especially the palm muted ones.and they still won't acknowledge and even says that metal dude is satanist so yeah thats my story

[@damf5488]

@@glennanthony2733 im a 13 year old metalhead and i gotta say this is one of the reasons i wont talk about metal this story made me mad af bye im gonna lisent to canibal corpse to calm down 👋

[@jessyruel3006]

They just don't know anything about metal

[@perryborn2777]

Never been a big fan of Flea's bass tone, but god damn that man can play

[@EricJh21690]

To each their own...I've always loved his tone because between that and his playing you can always just tell by ear when it's Flea playing haha. So much damn funk & groove for days lol.

[@buddybluegaming3222]

Putting les claypool as metal is an insult to him he is his own genre He's straight up next level🤣 Side note I got to see snakes and arrows played live and I was not disappointed I actually have that album now and it's one of my favorites along with moving pictures

[@ericfenstermacher3235]

I will probably be the only one to say, "No Joey DeMaio of Manowar?" Whether or not you like him, listen to his solos. He is incredibly fast.

[@BurningRabbit666]

I don't believe he's fingerpicking though.. which would make him the only one in this list if I'm not mistaken. Though I agree: great solos and very quick ones to boot

[@Cyclobomber]

@@BurningRabbit666 He plays with a pick and he's built himself a "piccolo bass" (kind of a short-scale baritone with a whammy bar or something) to shred like he does on "Flight of the Bumblebee". Yet he's very fast and very good, that's true.

[@Fishfishfishfishfishfishfishfi]

Rafalgahr although i don’t really care if bassists use a pick or not, i do believe that this list is probably more for finger style bassists

[@thomashealy7630]

Yep

[@allenclayton4162]

I came here to say just that

[@jordantaylor789]

Steve Digiorgio is the reason I started playing bass

[@oxygentaster·CN]

SADUS！

[@Calilou52]

Same

[@megadethmofo2035]

I prefer when Les plays straight signal. He uses that gooey, liquidy effect way too much. Also.....Tony Levin? C'mon!

[@leeloodallas6949]

Funny but I always tried to describe that sound and the words liquid and gooey are perfect.

[@justinchancellorlegod8057]

Tony Levin does play fast, but on the chapman stick!

[@The_blindpizzaguy1300]

Tony doesn’t shred the base like these guys. His playing is more stylistic and experimental.

[@groovylobster]

Ironically enough, Les was jamming on Thela Hun Ginjeet in that clip.

[@DMSProduktions]

It's an envelope filter.

[@ij_misir1965]

I really respect that they put mike flores in number one. for tech death hes the top of his league

[@ekul831]

Victor Wooten!! He's not rock or metal even though he was part of a metal project. He's the best

[@steve7745]

Victor and Les on stage at once would be the dream for a poor schmuck like me who's been torn between jazz and metal for my whole life

[@216trixie]

Thanks for getting John and Geddy in there.

[@rubaiyatdunno482]

Damn, didn't know that steve dijorno played a fretless bass without fret markers. Great bassist

[@HINRG14]

the fret markers may be on the side where we cant see them but he can

[@rubaiyatdunno482]

That's just a possibility. Probably not the actual case

[@selftyranny]

@@rubaiyatdunno482 more often than not it is the case

[@wesjames6060]

Fret markers are on the top edge of the fretboard

[@TheWholeGrainBread_Real]

He also plays a custom 3 string bass.

[@megateamame6776]

Her: Be gentle it’s my first time You: 1:14

[@jwtish7825]

Woah there buddy! 😂

[@dangerdare4114]

Which Cc song is this again?

[@megateamame6776]

@@dangerdare4114 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqarZ4lpr5KJbLs there you go

[@trashmetalbassist9989]

That was her best night ever

[@jagannathaniyengar4369]

There's a reason why Bassists don't have a girlfriend. Multiple girls want them.

[@flixoran9039]

Good list but I wish Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne was on here

[@dafooddestroyer6499]

Flixoran brbr deng

[@ih8urband]

Not a "fast" bassist as the video is for, just incredibly talented. He could out bass most bassists, but wouldn't say he is one of the fastest.

[@billiejoeeyelash]

BRR BRR DENG BRR BRR DENG BRR BRR DENG BRR BRR DENG

[@ecco2ks]

brbr deng brbr deng

[@michaelgraham9774]

Music memes are always so cringey

[@balustrade2966]

Where's Cliff Burton?

[@stansisprasky145]

I love cliff but there bassist far away better then him

[@j800r]

Geezer may not have had the fastest fretting hand but his right hand was insane.

[@DanielSilva-gf4kk]

While doing the lights for a Friend's Fest, had a chance to meet Mike Flores in Portugal. A very nice and chilled guy. Talented and likeable.👍🤘

[@DiZzAzZtErPrOdUcTiOnS]

How the hell did Ryan Martinie NOT make the list?

[@alitomblison1808]

They always exclude mudvayne from these lists, the singer list, drum list..they are shamefully ignored!! Shame on you loudwire!!🦍

[@DiZzAzZtErPrOdUcTiOnS]

@@alitomblison1808 you ain't lying!

[@maynardacosta9520]

Ali Tomblison not to mention in the saddest song list they did not include “A World so Cold” as well

[@giraffepunx4484]

Matt Freeman definitely deserves to be on this. The Maxwell Murder solo was epic!

[@renerd5155]

Giraffe Punx but he plays with pick. He doesn’t count

[@jujupancakes9310]

Then tapping shouldn't count either. Matt should qualify And Dan Lilker too.

[@voiceofreason1208]

Haha...I always referred people to that one when they would say punk musicians have no talent. 😂😂

[@nealwesco7465]

@@renerd5155 Freeman plays with both. He's actually a really good example of how to swap mid song and how to palm a pick while playing

[@Brs-od8mx]

"He plays with a pick". God I hate Bassist snobbery. Matt plays with both a pick and without and sometimes switches mid song. The video is fastest bass players not fastest bass players without a pick.

[@goodmusicpodcast7368]

This has been my favorite one in this series so far, love it! To me, fast bass playing just looks and feels so much better than fast guitar playing

[@elpeluca7780]

The opposite for me, and I'm a bass player. Depends on the music, so in reality what you said makes no sense

[@nickalexander7189]

Steve Digirogio is a beast and I wish Ryan Martinie made the list he’s one of my all time favorite bassists

[@jayn1205]

Mike Lepond from Symphony X is a beast on bass

[@1997lordofdoom]

How is Geddy Lee only number 9? Go watch Working Man and La Villa Strangiato from the Time Machine tour.

[@newflesh666]

Geddy is a God

[@kawmic7]

I've played La Villa in my old band. Very satisfying to play.😎😎

[@xxsebastianblackxx]

Because it doesn't say top anywhere?

[@totallyfrozen]

It’s just a list. It’s not a ranking.

[@frostedhead]

Jaco Pastorius always introduced himself as "The Bass Player in the World"

[@oradordecthulhu]

I can't believe Forest (Beyond Creation, Augury, First Fragment, Teramobil, and others) isn't on this list !

[@omarsaavedracueto5211]

Where is Chris Squire? He was not just fast but one of the greatest bassist in rock history as well

[@justinchancellorlegod8057]

Tony Levin is also stupidly fast, but I guess sticks don't count eh

[@sopainstantanea4887]

Many jazz players are faster... But we are talking 'bout metal and rock here. Cliff Burton should've been on this list and if we are mentioning pick players that are both skilled and fast... I'd say David Ellefson, Rex Brown, Jason Newsted and Nolly Getgood.

[@justinchancellorlegod8057]

@@sopainstantanea4887 none of these are faster than the ones on this list

[@sopainstantanea4887]

@@justinchancellorlegod8057 i mentioned them only... Not that they are faster than the ones on the list. I only said that Cliff could've been there also.

[@bomshankar4414]

Where is Pistorius?

[@maddaddygrim]

It went from awesome music to just noise at the end. Where is cliff burton?

[@maddaddygrim]

And Ryan from mudvayne...

[@pjijn6837]

“Welcome back toooo hydraulic presss channeeeeeel”

[@dirtyflow1825]

“Say hi cliff how you doing” distorted bass sound

[@ifreshace7350]

John Entwistle (bass guitar) in the song Magic Bus Live at Leeds can play faster than I’ve ever heard.. it’s literally like he’s have a battle against Pete Townshend (guitar)

[@srsucioguapodelsur8845]

Somewhere Evan Brewer is slap/harmonic tapping a tear away on three basses at once

[@oceanofoil]

Some of y'all are talking about Victor Wooten not being on here, to be fair he's not a metal/rock musician as much as be is a funk musician. Nevertheless it's a pretty solid list of talent starting with Thunder fingers himself setting the tone.

[@Witmonger]

SOLID. And the title wasn't some "Top 10" clickbait, nor was there any bullshit exposition between every musician. Need more videos like this on KZbin.

[@ikillomega]

Chris Squire from Yes.

[@hunterwoodlee3000]

Great list. But Les Claypool is insanely fast. I saw him live solo. I’ve never seen someone’s hands move so fast, so effortlessly.

[@thedonsz9186]

It's sad that a lot of underground bassist don't get featured on a video like this. For example Erlend Caspersen from Spawn Of Possession

[@Sammm1473]

finally good to see flores get some recognition for his insane work

[@thedanksavatron7782]

No Truellio ??? Listen to Infectious Grooves not his Metallica run!

Trujillo

[@HikaruHero]

Cause Trujillo plays not stupidly at all....

[@greaser031]

I’ll throw in Matt Freeman (Rancid)

[@davidjameschamberlain]

Maxwell Murder has some proper bass work

[@emmaa2381]

He’s amazing

[@jockyking7831]

Yes Maxwell murders is a legend and hes so underrated that it gives me Autism

[@zeoalexo]

@@jockyking7831 maybe choose a different adjective

[@wantutosigh1117]

The song "Detroit" has some insane bass lines from Matt.

[@zackman23ful]

Dave Ellefson? Dude deserves some love for his playing for sure

[@CaseSet236]

Yeah but he plays with a pick

[@zackman23ful]

@@CaseSet236 so? His technique is incredible. He plays so tight and precise compared to a finger player that has alot of "slop" in their tone. Dave also uses tapping on a few songs at a pretty fast pace. So the whole "he uses a pick" argument is invalid.

[@CaseSet236]

@@zackman23ful he is a great bass player but it's way harder to play fast with fingers

[@zackman23ful]

@@CaseSet236 I agree it's harder to play faster with fingers. But with a pick you can't do certain things you can with your fingers as easily. Jumping across strings is very difficult to be able to do cleanly. both have their own challenges. I personally prefer the tone and attack of a pick over the fingers. Really depends on what sound you want. But what Ellefson is able to do at those speeds is incredible. We are only talking plucking/picking hand currently. But his fretting hand work is masterful and that cannot be denied.

[@CaseSet236]

@@zackman23ful agreed

[@keenanjacobs9949]

Steve Digorgio and Alex Webster is just monsters lol

[@dmusiclife5727]

Props for the Steve Digiorgio. Guys phenomenal

[@lefthook4878]

Chuck wouldn't have hired him if he wasn't a monster.

[@SymbolicBodom]

Hello ? Where is Dominic "Forest" Lapointe ?

[@regortex3364]

I agree, if this were a contest, he’d win.

[@sterbern6762]

hell yeah dude i love beyond creation and first fragment he kicks ass in both

[@AgustinRodriguez-Bdm]

Hes just a fucking beast...

[@michaeltorres2412]

Dominic Lapointe should’ve been on here. His work in Beyond Creation, Augury, and Catuvolus is legendary. Plus, he’s Canadian! 😋

[@Shingowatanabe]

Michael Torres I came here just to say that. Well done my friend.

[@Heavywall70]

You only get ONE and Geddy is it

[@BingKemp]

"Fast for a Canadian" does not qualify anyone for this list, only for the "top 10 fast for a Canadian Rock bassist" list! 8-)

[@cloudydazeeee]

Well d a n g I thought Cliff would be on here

[@Just_a_metal_head_]

I thought he would be number one on this list. Pretty sure he would deserve it

[@larsulcer7156]

@@Just_a_metal_head_ Nothing can be done. Cliff is gone. His bass shredding in For whom the bell tolls live is just the beginning of his shredding career. He was even able to compose already at a young age and even went to their songs. He even knew music theory and how to use it which is amazing. He was more melodic. The bassists in this video probably wasn't even as good as Cliff in their youth or didn't play bass.

[@chrapladm]

I agree with Ryan Martinie being added and I also like Dominic "Forest," Lapointe

[@sinssideshow]

Those were two I also feel should have been on the list.

[@perryborn2777]

Nice, they used Geddy's improvised solo from Leave that Thing Alone on the 2011 Time Machine tour. That is one kickass solo, and the song is fantastic on its own too

[@Vulcanwoman]

No Steve Harris? Loudwire you had one job.

[@Fonzbot6650]

I was scrolling down the comments to look or this exactly. Should’ve been in the top 3 easily.

[@ruedestrae8199]

This list is about speed. Steve is God, but he doesn’t come near anybody in this list in terms of speed.

[@ArvindKumar-dk4ig]

Maiden have always been more of a complete band, you don't generally find any guitarist of the maiden trio flaunting or Steve playing a bass solo or Nicko playing a drum solo, Maiden have always put band over self.

[@christophercarty675]

This is what I’m saying!!!

[@guibox3]

@ Thunderfury I disagree. His fretting hand may not be as fast, but his picking fingers fly faster than most. Not too many can beat Steve's right hand picking. That alone should have put him on this list.

[@dankmetalmemes]

cliff better be on this list before i look lol

[@jundrayling9576]

Though not rock/metal so much, Vic Wooten is still an extraordinary bassist who can go lick for lick with all of these excellent bassists.

[@sirkirbingtonthe3rd]

les claypool is without a doubt the worlds greatest bass player

[@linktwin2007]

Yes

[@generalsmiddy5948]

@Gabe Carter Dude Cliff was great, but Les is objectively a better bassist, both as far as technical ability and songwriting go.

[@sirkirbingtonthe3rd]

@Gabe Carter not butt hurt at all everyone has there own opinion and plus cliff aint been around for 33 years so he mightve been the greatest but not no more

[@trichards109]

@Gabe Carter i think they are both the top two bassists, with zero competition, but they both play very differently, and so its very close to decide who trumps who. my favourite is cliff, but i find les' work to just be amazing. cliff couldve been beter had he still been alive now

[@spamsingles5948]

@Gabe Carter Les is a much better technical bassist than Cliff

[@papabillydeth4723]

I got my nose broken at a Mastodon/Primus show

[@credomott]

Saw them in Nashville last May.

[@Skullcrusher404]

Thats the best way to get a broken nose.

[@Tangent_Frank]

There is no way in hell that two of my favourite bands played the same venue.

[@wxldeinsvmkeit]

Bass is my favorite instrument ever and I'm planning to pick it up once I'm done with high school (I play the guitar and the cello here). But as an ex-electric guitar player, I must say that it really annoys me when the bass is played so fast that it looks like shredding on a guitar. Bass has its own unique tone, why make it sound like another instrument? It's just not made to be played so fast, could it be because it's a lower tone or else, but if you literally SHRED and play it like a guitar you can't even hear it! And it's a shame, 'cause it's such a beautiful instrument.