Megadeth - (The Conjuring, My Last Words) Bass Track Reaction!

[@arndttt]

it baffles me how Gar was/is a criminally underrated drum player... such an interesting and versatile approach to metal.

[@RodneyMcG]

He was a massively under rated drummer. One of a kind and a huge loss.

[@Natty_arturo]

Facts! Omg rip gar

[@dbmdrums1105]

Yeeeep Gar and Vinnie Paul are reason why I picked up double bass pedals 👌👌👌.

[@leonshreds]

facts

[@camronbay1]

Man he had such a unique sound like heavy jazz to me.

[@corpsekrusher]

I loved this album! It’s the Miles Davis of Metal. Sophisticated and intricate and incredibly melodic. Personally, I never understood why Dave Mustaine was so devastated about being kicked out of Metallica. What he has offered has far outclassed Metallica. I guess it’s the bond and brotherhood of pioneering something new together and then getting the boot that hurt! Because Megadeth is a beast that Metallica cannot match (except Cliff)

[@RodneyMcG]

No doubt, this album stood head and shoulders above others in the genre!

[@DanielGonzalez-tw8nu]

I love both bands, but let’s face it, Metallica went on to do much bigger things career wise. More fame, more popularity, and a hell of a lot more money.

[@RodneyMcG]

@Daniel Gonzalez i love them both too, and my favorite is better than your favorite contest are fruitless, but we're talking musicianship here, and I think we all know that isn't based on a popularity contest! If it were Bach, Stravinsky, King Crimson, and Jason Becker would all be on the top of the charts and not cardi B!😉

[@DanielGonzalez-tw8nu]

Rodney McG My reply was only in response to the original poster saying he couldn’t understand why Dave Mustaine was devastated etc. It had nothing to do with which band was better or worse.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@DanielGonzalez-tw8nu I get that. He definitely had a stick up his ass about them being more successful than him

[@theoverlook5976]

The bass lines for the entire album helped solidify its legendary status of all time. The bass for My Last Words is the best for me. “Unique” is truly the word.

[@RodneyMcG]

It's a masterpiece for sure

[@Venomboy666]

Two of their best songs. I’ve been watching a lot of live Megadeth from 86-91. Everyone is on fire and Ellefson is just a monster.

[@RodneyMcG]

Some go Rust in Peace, but I still say this was the best. Wasn't the same after.

[@alangary9893]

​@@RodneyMcG This songs are great but Killing Is My Business And Business is Good is awesome too also the Skull Beneath the Skin are great an Rattlehead and These Boots is awesome metal cover

[@dwaynestjohn5324]

Dave and Gar killed my last words I love that song because the bass and drums are soo amazing on that record

[@MWingate970]

Even before I stared playing bass, I absolutely loved Ellefson, such a unique player in so many ways... and underrated in my opinion, especially now that I'm learning more of his his catalogue. lol

[@RodneyMcG]

He's definitely deserving of more respect.

[@louisd4743]

god i love ellefson one of the most underrated metal bassist ever

[@RodneyMcG]

Fact

[@StephenBecker]

Man, every time I try to work out how to play a Megadeth song, it's like a gut punch that makes me realize I'm not even a tenth as good as I think I am. Dave Ellefson is a hero!

[@RodneyMcG]

Dave is definitely a standard to Aspire to!

[@SanitysVoid]

Helps if you see it played too.

[@inspectorbudget]

It's criminal that he doesn't get the credit he deserves.

[@tomrosser7139]

Thanks for this, I think he's so underated. As a guitar player who's moved to bass this channel is a huge help 🤘

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad it's helping out, I appreciate you being on board!🤘

[@setharnold3699]

Gar to me was such an important part of metal history I wish he could be remembered as much as Cliff has been over the years. With both being just as tragic it just seems to me that many people have forgotten or just never knew what an awesome drummer he was. Great video!

[@RodneyMcG]

I totally agree. He brought something truly new to the form. Thanks for checking it out!

[@luigisd]

poucos bateristas conseguiam fazer o que o Gar fazia nos anos 80, talvez ele e Dave Lombardo tenham sido os melhores do metal nesta década.

[@matejgasper678]

He is still too good to be recognized 😉.

[@RedFlyRuledByTheRiff]

David has so many great bass lines and his tone really helps make part of Megadeth’s sound.

[@RodneyMcG]

True

[@iamgribs]

This is such a fun album to play.

[@RodneyMcG]

Right?

[@justynfogarty6209]

Dude the room mics on the drums and reverb are just something you dont see in modern metal. It gives this album so much atmosphere, feels like you're there in person watching them play.

[@RodneyMcG]

Definitely!

[@evyatarhadar8867]

Man, I have to admit I'm obsessed with Gar's sound on this album. Listening to his drum tracks in higher quality than what's available on KZbin, you can really feel them. He was such a talented guy. Paul Lani did a great job with this album. Such a raw and unique sound.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Early megadeth when you take out the guitars, its super funky !

[@RodneyMcG]

For sure!

[@waffle_burger8499]

This album sounds so fresh and innovative even after all these decades... that tells you how far ahead of the curve Megadeth were in the 80's. The weird timing and stops in this song are just so cool 😎.

[@leonshreds]

YES

[@Nafenfuku]

My last words bass cover? That would be sickkk!! Great vid!

[@RodneyMcG]

Hmmm, not a bad idea!

[@leonshreds]

LOVED THE VIDEO, MY FAVORITE ALBUM

[@briankrueger1142]

This rocks! I’ve been listening to this album and isolated tracks alot as of late. Ellefson and Samuelson are just amazing! Side note: I picked up Samuelsons Fatal Opera (Eleventh Hour) this week and am still absorbing it. The repeated descending lines in My Last Words instantly remeinds me of Bob Daisleys line during the chorus of Crazy Train. It’s like, “where did that come from?” Very cool.

[@RodneyMcG]

Hey Brian - it's cool when you hear a common thread between great players, isn't it? Bob influenced me heavily, i'm sure he did Dave as well. I haven't gotten to check out Fatal Opera, but have been meaning to. Thanks for the reminder!

[@BloodyBones]

Love this. Very knowledgeable bass player you are

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@AL13NM]

Amazing breakdown and insight into two songs from a Phenomenal Album! Peace Sells... is one of the Greatest Metal Albums ever recorded!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks. Peace Sells is the gold standard, for sure

[@faronfonze9316]

Awesome!! One of my favorite albums and the reason I picked up guitar and bass guitar 🤘😎🔥 the breakdown of them was the best and very informative 🎂

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@FLORIDAROOMJAMS]

Good stuff Rodney. Dave one of the best metal bass players that I enjoy regularly. His pick style bass playing is always tight and inventive. Great songs to comment and dissect. Maybe in the future have a video on Holy Wars. His playing on that tune is relentless start to finish!.....Thank you for the killer video \m/

[@RodneyMcG]

I'm sure we'll revisit him!

[@kimfaucher007]

I like your analysis of these songs! You are going at it "à la Rick Beato" but really zooming on our actual job as bass players: that is keeping the groove going and locking in with the drummer to keep the rhythm section as tight as possible. Thanks so much Rodney!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, Kim! Any comparison to Rick is high praise! I appreciate you checking it out.

[@JacketsOnFire]

Can you believe before this Ellefson played this song with his fingers? He obviously had to start using a pick but in the early days (where basically the first 3 megadeths albums were written) he used his fingers.

[@RodneyMcG]

Yeah, that's nuts. I did a cover here on the channel where I did Bad Omen fingerstyle. It was a challenge for sure! We talked a little bit about it in my interview with him as well.

[@WHACK_space_rock]

This is Frank Hopson with WHACK ( the heavy hard driving space rock band with TWO BASS GUITARS), and I favor the first two Megadeth albums, mostly because of Gar's drumming. I was able to catch them on their first tour at a small bar in Wichita KS. It was incredible...!

[@RodneyMcG]

Hey Frank! Wow, you're lucky to have been able to catch that show! I'm totally jealous

[@WHACK_space_rock]

Wall of Marshalls and all of them on the floor right in front of us...even got a high five from Dave M. after their set....!

[@camronbay1]

Gar to me as a drummer is very surgical and intricate, Menza has a heavy thunderous sound both are absolutely amazing.

[@kopusetic]

I’m getting caught up on your vids and I gotta say your stuff is a goldmine for bassists and all musicians really. Don’t get me wrong; I’m here for the bass, but there is so much more in your content. Thank you for what you do!

[@RodneyMcG]

Much appreciated! thanks for watching!

[@besnardowski5912]

Great video man! Finally someone who can explain some interesting basslines and how they're created!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for watching!

[@FLORIDAROOMJAMS]

Love it! ....the last portion of “My last words”.....goosebumps....

[@RodneyMcG]

Such a great and under rated song.

[@stephanea5364]

Wow, so fun to listen to songs that way. Great analysis.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@trolliumTV]

i feel the pain in his fingers!! great great review.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@getnmyn]

I have to agree that the use of the bass part in the first stanza of the was calculated, given what we know about Dave's meticulous note writing and attention to detail

[@RodneyMcG]

He definitely had a high standard. A not very well known fact - Gar Samuelson actually helped a lot with arranging on those albums. They made a formidable songwriting team. It explains why the music had a different flavor when he left as well.

[@11DNA11]

@@RodneyMcG Agree. The whole team of 4 made those first 2 albums as great as they are. Gar and Chris had tons of input in what the album would sound like. I think it was Mustaine in some interview saying that Chris basically harmonized everything on the album, right there on the spot. And Gar offering his knowledge of jazz into metal is what imo made the album sound like it did. The 2018 remaster of Killing is my business.. The drums are really up front in that and holy crap.. Gar sounded even better on that one.

[@RodneyMcG]

That remaster is definitely one of the few I've ever heard that was an improvement.

[@dbmdrums1105]

16th note triplets at 190 bpms.... Man is this next level ❤❤❤❤😅😅😅😅😎😎😎😎😎😎😎. If only Gar would live up to this day.... ❤. You could actually check out his stuff with Fatal Opera.

[@waterline9877]

great video, excellent insight and analysis. kick ass iso tracks

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for watching!

[@Walamonga1313]

Nice, Jr bass tracks analysis

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for watching!

[@hbomb495]

With all that stopping and starting could it be Dave and Gar were the true origins of what we know as Djent? Great video as always mate.

[@RodneyMcG]

Interesting thought, but i think we have Meshuggah to blame for that whole "style". 😂😉 Thanks for checking in!

[@caz3474]

Sick awesome information dude!

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad you liked it!

[@vosman86]

Early Megadeth is Thrash Jazz metal. Gar is legendary. They all are

[@RodneyMcG]

Truth!

[@BloodyBones]

Very knowledgeable bass player

[@zDialecticChaos]

Loved this video! Really nice to hear your input on this masterpiece! To be honest I listen to this album all the ti me, it really pulls the listener in! I feel like the thrash genius from Mustaine/Effeson combined with Chris/Gars jazz fuzion genius for something truly spectacular! It is a very magical album, Gars swing is so good, Chris has insane leads, Mustaine's tight riffs and raw solos, Ellefsons skill to harmonize with Gar like you said. Man, not to take away anything from other albums, but I really feel as if the synchronization between musicians in this line up was truly something else...

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks! I agree completely. It was a special combination that can't be duplicated.

[@dimitrisvill1411]

My guy i've seen you in so many megadeth song's comment sections its ridiculous...

[@xtremeunderratedmusic]

Great analysis Man. David is intelligent mind and that reacts to the way of playing and contributing to this tombstone release of thrash metal .I like also the feeling of Gars playing..also you must do an improvisation of fatal opera two albums...GREAT STUFF. I had made a bass cover in my channel of wake up dead and the conjuring....

[@RodneyMcG]

You're the second person to mention fatal opera. I have to check it out!

[@xtremeunderratedmusic]

@@RodneyMcG Yeah you must...is great band with identity. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4rHaqqnepalntU and second kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqDYfXqYnsqFoZI please also check my bass covers to wake up dead and conjuring to my channel .I would love to tell me your opinion ...good or bad.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for the links! Great stuff! Really good work on the Megadeth covers! Solid technique! The only thing i would offer would be on Wake Up Dead, to be careful to not bend notes during some of the faster passages, etc. It's easy to do, and not noticed most of the time, but can be a tough habit to break. It will especially cause issues on recordings. Overall, killer work!

[@xtremeunderratedmusic]

@@RodneyMcG Thank you for your suggestions...i bent cause i like in this parts...it's not a bad habit.I like that you like it cause i like your bass techique too...you nail the bad omen...one of my favourite...and all this stuff is weird to play with fingers...david start to play pick in Megadeth cause couldn't be so tight with fingers....

[@RodneyMcG]

@@xtremeunderratedmusic Yeah, getting this stuff without a pick is rough. You did a great job with it! Thanks for the kind words on Bad Omen🤘

[@BloodyBones]

Great stuff

[@jackshittle]

Great analysis Rodney.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks!

[@danzemacabre8899]

I'll throw another drummer out there that had a remincient feel like Gar on a couple of songs and thats Clive Burr, check out innocent exile on Killers, matter of fact , that album has that groove/swing all over it.

[@RodneyMcG]

Good call

[@musicmuncher6689]

Great video, nicely brought comments well explained, I really enjoyed. This is a classic metal album, the bass is incredible on it, the title track is another bass highlight. I don't think a lot of metal bands used that kind of separation of bass and guitars using chord changes and a pedal riff. Sometimes the bass implies the chord change, some examples on other Megadeth albums are Tornado of souls and Symphony of destruction. Keep the good stuff coming 👍

[@RodneyMcG]

I agree on All Points! Thanks for checking it out!

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

Useful lessons, those triples sound fingers style

[@RodneyMcG]

Right?! Amazing dynamics

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

@@RodneyMcG but the middle eq says punchy pletro

[@TheStacanova]

Thank you! I’ve been forever talking about how Gar Samuelson had a “swing” to his playing, that made Megadeth so unique. Oddly enough, You’re the only other person I’ve heard refer to it in that manner. It makes his playing so much more “musical”. Current metal (& Rock, Pop, etc.) drummers should listen to that & stop Quantizing everything to holy hell! Feel is real!

[@RodneyMcG]

Absolutely! It's key to so many great bands songs! I'll be talking about it on my show Metal Bass Monday this week. Stop by and check it out!

[@TheStacanova]

@@RodneyMcG Awesome! Sometimes it’s hard to explain drummers and feel, especially when you tell someone, yes, Matt Sorum is a better drummer than Steven Adler, but one of the things that makes Appetite for Destruction so special is Adler’s feel. You can hear his enthusiasm in the playing. Matt Sorum is like a metronome, which is also great, but for Guns N Roses, Adler was a better fit(minus the out of control addictions, I that dude keeps getting the help he needs).

[@ronbent]

Insightful and very interesting. New subscriber now.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out, and for the sub!

[@kongandbasses8732]

Come on, you and Alfie are running this conspiration to throw out videos at the same time, so bass players have to decide if they are watching a channel with some interesting bass banter - or an educational vid that introduces you into the style and the theoretics of great bass players. Gotcha, ey? Thank you again for this great video. I - again - learned something about David Elefson, his style of playing and how he is "thinking" his role as a bass player. It is essential not only to be a good bass player by yourself, but you have to know what the others, especially the drummer, are playing, to coordinate all this fine stuff that makes the song interesting in the end. Its more than just 8th notes.

[@RodneyMcG]

You found us out! Dave really is a great study in metal bass.

[@iamgribs]

I paid more attention to the drums a couple times on this album , one thing that is remarkable, Gar had a more "loose" style compared to a more metronomic guy like Gene Hoglan. Ellefson by contrast is almost robotic in his precision. So, when I hear this drum and bass recording of "Last Words" it's almost as if Ellefson is doing the timekeeping, the roles are reversed at times on this record. At least that's how i hear it. It's crazy, I've never heard anything like it before or since. This shows you how crazy consistent Ellefson is and how unique Gar really was, in metal.

[@RodneyMcG]

Great analysis

[@dwaynestjohn5324]

Dave started playing the bass with his fingers I'm not sure exactly when he changed to a pick

[@RodneyMcG]

I remember that. Not sure when he made that switch.

[@iamgribs]

I think he did it on this album.

[@harbinger8035]

My last words is just unbelievable.. my favorite Megadeth song

[@RodneyMcG]

It's a really over looked masterpiece

[@bobramarz1889]

Do Omni present perception by beyond creation amazing fretless bass work

[@RodneyMcG]

A true masterwork!

[@megathrash8539]

if i could i would give you 1000 likes ,awesome video!

[@RodneyMcG]

Much appreciated!

[@SanitysVoid]

They wrote it the way they did cause Heroin told them how to do it LOL By the way I used this very Iso bass track to learn the song for my cover. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKTSaoyGbNOGoZI Now this video reminds me! I was working on my last words, had the whole intro down then for some reason I stopped working on it and I forget why now. Edit: I remember now. That main riff in the song is relentless! Like rubber baby buggy bumper I could play it but after doing it half the song my hand would just fall apart on it.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Nice.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, Owen!

[@michaelboyle5805]

Never mentioned, when bass players are talked about. Sure Cliff Burton was a genius, but DAVE is just as good.

[@RodneyMcG]

I think they fall into 2 different categories, one not better than the other. Cliff was a true innovator. Dave is a precision bassist of the first caliber. Room for both! Thanks for checking it out!

[@michaelboyle5805]

I wasn't saying d DAVE was better. But your the first to talk about DAVE skill level and technique.. I think Metallica went downhill after Cliff died. But with that said great video

[@RodneyMcG]

@@michaelboyle5805 I didn't take it as you saying he was better, just agreeing that they were both killer for different reasons. I agree on Metallica. I really wish we got to see what Cliff would have created with them had he had more time. Thanks for the kind words on the video, much appreciated 🤘

[@michaelboyle5805]

Me too I think Cliff was Metallica.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@michaelboyle5805 Agreed

[@dbmdrums1105]

Gar Samuleson alwyas!

[@RodneyMcG]

True legend

[@dbmdrums1105]

@@RodneyMcG ooh yes sir 🙏🙏🙌