With a few notable exceptions (Steve Harris & Steve Dawson to name two) bass players in metal bands are usually not “name” players. They go about their business holding the whole thing together with little fanfare. Dave Ellefson is another name player. Arguably THE name player in classic thrash. I’m sure that Slayer fans would argue that point but Araya is known more for his vocals than his bass playing. Ellefson stand out in metal. Look at it this way. Here’s a teenager with his primary influence being metal and he has to play with Gar Samuelson and he makes it work incredibly. That’s no small feat and from there Dave has only continued to inspire fellow bass players and metal fans.

Still want to argue the point? Ask a metal fan for the best known bass riff in metal and more than likely they’re gonna say the opener from Peace Sells, Nuff said

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

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