Hellz yeah. Metal is, by far my favorite genre of music. I'm the bassist in a metal band, because, dammit, it's what I want to do with my life. I figure I'll name some of my favorites by genre:
Thrash: Sepultura, Slayer, Metallica (KeL, RtL, MoP, DM), Megadeth, Anthrax, Kreator, Hirax, Exodus, Skeletonwitch, Overkill, Exhorder, Demolition Hammer, Sodom, Shah
Death: Obituary, Morbid Angel, Voor, Slaughter (Can.), Death, Dethklok, Deicide (1st album), Vader, Incubus (GA), Dismember, Massacra, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and I've been getting into Cannibal Corpse, Atheist, Cryptopsy (first two albums), and Cynic
Classic: Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Venom, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Budgie, Diamond Head, and I'm getting into Mercyful Fate
Other: Pantera (favorite band of all time), Down, Darkthrone (especially Soulside Journey), Helloween, Mastodon, Kyuss, Lamb of God (last two albums), Black Label Society, Corrosion of Conformity

Please discuss any of the above groups with me, its what I love doing.

Blackout wrote:

What are your thoughts on Alex Webster's ass kickery in regards to death metal bass playing?

He blew me away when I heard the live version of "Hammer Smashed Face". I've checked out a few more songs, and his bass is very good, especially any fills he plays. If I'd discovered him earlier in my masterbassing career, he could have been a huge influence on me. I'd download some more CC, but I'd prefer to buy some albums whenever I'm back in my hometown.
What are your feelings on Steve DiGiorgio? He was a huge influence on me, and is the very reason I do the three fingered gallop technique.
But I'd just like to mention there is none higher in terms of my influence than Clifford Lee Burton. R.I.P.

joshwoodzell wrote:

I own all of the records until the dreaded black album on vinyl, and I also have cliff em all on VHS so I'm well aware of the man's influence. I just don't think he should be hailed as god of all death metal bass really. I am not understating his awesomeness guys, I'm just giving my opinion, I thought that is what this whole place was about. But when it get's to the point that 14 year old kids can play every song or solo he ever did note for note (or sometimes better) on youtube, you have to fucking move on. There is better shit out there, but he will always be a nostalgic influence to all of us. May he rest in peace.

It should be noted that Cliff's connection to "death metal bass" was nonexistent given that the genre was in its earliest stages upon Cliff's death. (Mantas demos in '83, Possessed in '84 and '85, Bestial Devastation in '85, and Scream Bloody Gore in '87)
As for my rebuttal. I'll be honest. Cliff wasn't the most technical or fast bassist in the world. But he had an absolutely amazing ear for composition, and a thorough knowledge of theory. The notes of "Orion" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" just sound so brilliant to my ears. It was Cliff's intro solo to "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (and the song itself) was the key moment where I decided I wanted to pick up a bass. So I do understand that I hold a bias towards Cliff. To say that there is "better shit out there" is subjective anyway.
Also, to my knowledge, no metal band had ever put a three-minute bass solo on an album before, much less their debut album (Though, admittedly, Sabbath came close with "Bassically/N.I.B.). When one factors the usage of distortion (that had really only been used by Motorhead and Venom) and bass wah (which had only been used by Geezer Butler), they can see how innovative Cliff was. Cliff popularized those elements and used them in ways that no one could have imagined. Admittedly, I'm young, and wasn't even a thought in my parents eye when Cliff died. But I still feel the need to state my opinion. I won't say he was the best bassist in the world, because 'best' is largely subjective. But he was the one who had the biggest impact on me, and without him, my life wouldn't be the same.
Sorry to talk your ear off, but what would you expect from a guy with a Cliff Burton avatar?