Guitar, Bass, and Drums

There is no order to these musicians yet as the research has been difficult lately

Randy Rhoads, who played lead, rhythmn, and acoustic guitars for Ozzy Osbourne. One of his best songs were "Mr Crowley" and "Crazy Train"

Glen Benton of the biggest death/black metal band in the world known as DEICIDE is without argument the most involved bass player in the music industry. Benton not only roars satanic vocals while strumming the bass, but also writes the music, writes the lyrics, and on top of all that - he makes his band what it is. Musicians of his standard prove that it takes guts to create and play something so dark, heavy, fast, and accurate. He is one of the few frontmen that stand as a backbone of their work with their bands. Some examples of Benton's effort are songs such as:
"When Satan Rules His World" a song where he plays chords on the bass.
"Once Upon The Cross" possibly the song that best describes the style of the band.
"In Torment In Hell" a song revealing an atheist's view towards christianity and the nature of Glen's satanic vocal work.
And "Worry In The House Of Thieves" a song that gives a listener the best demonstration of the frontman's vocals.

Paul Bostaph of SLAYER is not only a professional drummer in every style of music, but also one of the most reliable drummers in the world. Very few drummers take much pride and enthusiasm in their drumming. His drumming is well demonstrated in songs like "fictional reality" and "disciple". Not a drummer to be underestimated.

Kerry King of SLAYER is one of the fastest playing guitarists in the metal industry. His thrash-wise made him always one step ahead of any guitarist from challenging bands such as METALLICA and MEGADETH. Not only did Kerry King start SLAYER, but he also built a solid backbone for MEGADETH by filling in as guitarist when they had problems finding a guitarist.

Cliff Burton, a piano genius for fifteen years and a bass soloist during his remaining years. At the age of 26 he already knew everything about bass and music altogether. He encouraged the bass to be more than just an instrument between the wall of guitars. For bass solos listen to, "Anasthesia - pulling teeth", "Orion", and "Call of Ktulu".

It is only too understandable why the first drummer of MEGADETH was to be replaced by Nick Menza. Just the setup of his drums is enough to show his commitment to playing the drums. Songs such as "Holy Wars... The punishment Due" reveal an uncomparable pace of thrash drumming. It is better to see his drumming then to read how I describe it. Personally, I don't think that there is a way to describe such an excellent method of speed and accuracy without giving off an impression of death metal (which is completely different). All I will say is, "pick up the drumsticks, hit the bottom of a trash can as fast and long as you possibly can... done it? Great! Now multiply your speed by two and you will realise that it is still not fast enough to compare to the drumming of Nick Menza".

Dave Mustaine of MEGADETH adopted Kerry King's style of thrash through songs such as "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" and "My Last Words". Mustaine made MEGADETH a more complex band then METALLICA after it was made a myth that MEGADETH are the reject band from METALLICA.

Iron Maiden's backbone Steve Harris playing the bass at incredible speeds that a bassist would only be able to do with a pick. "Aces High" and "The Trooper" are only two examples of fast fingerplaying.

Steve Asheim of DEICIDE
Best Songs: "Dead By Dawn"
"Once Upon The Cross"
"When Satan Rules His World"

James Hetfield of METALLICA was ignored as a guitarist after all the fame went to Kirk Hammett. Lets not forget that it was James Hetfield that had written most of the songs by METALLICA. Solo-wise, many believed that Kirk Hammett was a better guitarist. I however, noticed that Hammett looks at his guitar too much while playing, but Hetfield rarely pays attention to his guitar and he has the ability to song while playing some rather difficult songs.

When this man was taken under Dave Mustaine's wing to play bass for MEGADETH, David Ellefson only had a year to perfect his bass style from Van Helen to Iron Maiden. Ellefson is indeed very much like Steve Harris even though he is mainly a pick player. The most ear-catching bass lines can be found in songs such as, "Hangar 18", "Five Magicks", and "Dawn Patrol".

Nick Barker now in DIMMU BORGIR, was one of the best drummers of CRADLE OF FILTH.
Best Songs:
"Beneath The Howling Stars"
"Twisted Nails of Faith"
"Thirteen and a Widow"

Gian Piras of Cradle of Filth has to be one of the most ignored professional guitarists ever. Gian Piras can play his guitar at ungodly speeds and still keep his playing clean. Although he is not much for solos, it is understandable that he is the guitarist that made Cradle of Filth become the biggest black metal band in the world.

Gene Simmon is without argument what makes KISS a remembered band. Sadly, a lot of people who never listened to KISS will only remember the name of the band because of Simmon's unusually long tongue (believed to be as long as a cow's tongue)... Anyone that has heard the '78 hit "Made for lovin' you" would know of Simmon's unusually fast finger-played groove. A former english teacher to a womanising rock star, his capability of making several amazing rock n roll bass solos remains well forgotten. However, there is a large question mark above his head to suggest if he can still play the bass as professionally. Concerning fans worry that Simmon's could perhaps have rusted his bassist ability after countless records of skirt chasing and womanising.

Dave Lombardo rejoined Slayer in early 2002 for a while at least, replacing Paul Bostaph, Slayer's mostly full-time skinsman since 1994's Divine Intervention, who was forced into retirement by a chronic elbow injury.

Andreas Kisser of Sepultura is probably the msot enthusiastic guitarist of the metal industry as he has pretty much done everything for SEPULTURA to become one of the most respected bands in the world. A start from black metal, leading to death metal, and finally resting to hard rock. Andreas Kisser still tries to give his guitar skills the best possible imput for every new album.

MOTORHEAD was one of the biggest heavy metal bands all because of frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who shaped each song into being one of the fastest during the seventies. The most recognised songs are, "Hellraiser", "Love Me Like a Reptile", and "The Ace of Spades".

Unusual is the inspiration of PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul. Drummers from bands such as FEAR FACTORY are obviously inspired by chop styles from songs such as the original "By Demons Be Driven", "Slaughtered" a brave attempt at death metal, and "Mouth For War" another well known original.

Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH can be remembered as one of the most original guitarists of seventies era of Heavy Metal. Forever remembered as the writer of "Paranoid", we still remember him as the inspiration of many guitarists today.

BLACK SABBATH smoother Geezer Butler could be described as the most open minded bassist of the early metal era if not the only. Examples of his circles around his guitarist are on songs such as, "Iron Man", "Paranoid", and "Into The Void". A bassist to never be forgotten.

Joey Jordinson of SLIPKNOT still attends the daily tours to play the drums for the masked metal band but he isn't giving up on playing guitar for the MURDERDOLLS.
Best Songs:
"Disasterpiece"
"Left Behind"
"Eyeless"

Ace Frehley of KISS is said to be one of the first drug-addicted professional guitarists. Songs like "Strutter" and "New York Groove" remain one of the best songs ever created during the Seventies.

Thin Lizzy made the singer/bassist look very inspiring to many musicians. Needless to say, Phil was what shaped, "whiskey in a jar" to sound like before it was finally covered by Metallica.

Nicko McBrain has always been the busy one in IRON MAIDEN next to Steve Harris, just listen to "Transylvania" or "Aces High" to hear how busy he is in the songs.

Jason Newsted appeared to be Metallica's turning point as he appeared to be one of the most solid bassists in history.

In 1973, his father took Lars to his first rock concert, to see the mighty Deep Purple in Copenhagen, which opened the youngster's eyes to hard rock and heavy metal. After he decided that the tennis life wasn't for him after all, Ulrich shifted his focus on music.

Nikki Sixx is what made Motley Crue as he announced in an interview, "I always wanted to be in Motley Crue. But it wasn't made before 1981 so I decided to make it". Sixx is one of the few bass players that enjoys practising his bass through a guitar amplifier. He practically wrote every single song such as, "Ten Seconds To Love", "Kickstart My Heart", and "Smoking In The Boys Room" each song sounding differently from one another. As a singing bassist, a lot of bass players can find inspiration from Sixx just by looking at him. Next to Gene Simmons, Nikki Six is probably the most decorated bassist out of glam rock.

With a resume boasting Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Suicidal Tendencies and Y&T, Jimmy DeGrasso easily filled the vacancy behind Megadeth's drum kit when the band headed into their spot on Ozzfest.