10 Greatest Metal Bassists Ever

If there is any band that represents the raw unhingedness of metal music, it is Slayer. Coming from the thrash metal scene in the 80's, Slayer is the band that any heavy band must reference to measure if they are truly heavy.

With Tom Araya out front, the band was the audible personification of violence and anarchy. While the tempos in Slayer's work were frantic in the early days, Araya's basslines would push the songs along with an unmatched aggression. In a band as metal-centric as Slayer, Araya's bass tone had the attitude and speed of a hardcore punk act, which made the band incredibly unique.

In addition to pulverizing his bass, Araya's screams also added to the band's dread, as he used his voice almost as another percussion instrument as he spewed out lyrics like a madman that's been let loose in the asylum. Once the band came into their own and began incorporating slower tempos Araya's transition into more Sabbath-sounding grooves showed how much he understood his role in making Slayer a heavy meta powerhouse. Even if the band's time is coming to an end, metalheads will never forget the horrific metal perfection Araya, King and company brought upon the world.