Why are 99% of metal bassists completely useless?

[lizard]

but then I started listening to a lot of stoner rock. It's ridiculous how good many of those dudes are, how they are able to dance around these massive riffs that lay most "metal" bands to utter waste. They are actually part of the band and help to create the sound.

same with jam bands. although the guitar is still king, you can actually listen to the interaction between instruments and groove off the bass alone. Especially moe.

 

[Ayeka]

Actually, I thought this as well until I saw (on TV) Geezer Butler playing bass for Ozzy at the Moscow Peace Festival back in '89 I think. They ripped into War Pigs and I was amazed at what Butler was doing on the bass. He wasn't anywhere near Zakk's riff line, and hammering frets pretty wildly.

Oh aye, granted! War Pigs has those great improvised parts but most of the album songs, yeah, I think he's still copying Tony for a lot of it...

 

[Henrik Main]

For bass done right see Taake - Nattestid Ser Porten Vid

holy fuck

Also;

Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
Blood Red Throne - Altered Genesis
Severe Torture - Feasting On Blood
Pessimist - Cult Of The Initiated

 

[MFJ]

See also:

Borknagar (specifically "The Archaic Course)