10 Greatest Metal Bassists Ever
9. David Ellefson
Megadeth's success in the thrash metal scene was a gift for guitarists around the globe. The band's use of two equally competent lead guitarists trading licks was a true spectacle to see. So much brilliance came from the guitar flashiness that people often forget how awesome David Ellefson was underneath it all.
From day one, Ellefson has always tended to be the co-captain of the band, as his riffs make every song take off like a Boeing 747. Ellefson's use of a pick instead of his fingers on the four-string also gave him greater tenacity when it came time to dial the BPM of a song up.
Speed isn't all there is to Ellefson though. His use of melodic devices make all of his classic basslines instantly sing-able from the instrumental section of "Dawn Patrol" to the unforgettable opening lick to "Peace Sells."
Across Megadeth's vast catalog, you can always count on David Ellefson for some of the greatest melodic passages. So when you're listening to "Holy Wars" or "Sweating Bullets" for the 100th time, pay attention to what Ellefson is doing to see just how important he is to Megadeth's classic sound.