When I saw Priest on the Screaming tour I noticed Ian didn't move around much, he had a spot in front of his amps and pretty much stayed there until it was time for a guitar line.
@@bearbryant3495 That's his gig. He lets the others do their things and he just blends in with the drummer. Solid rhythm sections give the other band members room to move. Just like Geezer and Ward for Black Sabbath.
Ian still gets so much respect because he doesn't fight for attention or show off in his playing. He's simply on rhythm, on time and on key, which is why the bands sound always holds so well. He's pretty much the role model of what a bass player is meant to do for a band.
Just saw him last night in Detroit. Fantastic show. The only problem with Ian's bass lines is he is not loud enough in the mix! He is solid and serves the song very well. There is a quote he gives about Roger Glover,who produced Priest at one time, advising Ian on more of a pocket approach. I enjoyed hearing the isolated tracks and he is doing more than I thought or can hear in the mix. And the career length and touring mileage..forget about it. A legend of Bass!
Saw Priest last night in Milwaukee and I was also disappointed in the overall mix. The bass was almost non-existent. Too bad because the band was killing it and doing a great job as always, and Rob Halford was quite strong. Regardless, it was awesome to see them again, and I hope they can do one more tour that includes KK and Les Binks.
Saw Priest in '86 (Turbo), '90 (Painkiller), and lastly the Jugulator tour. You could definitely hear, but mostly feel Ian's powerful bass kicking you in the chest. Probably the loudest concerts I've been to, and the best. IDK why they've cut him down in the mix, but that needs to get fixed.
Ian Hill is like the bass player in AC-DC, Cliff Williams, you almost don't notice him but you feel him. They are loud, but in a way to fill the atmosphere. That's the function of the bass as a rhythm section and to reinforce the guitar sound, a bridge between the drums and the guitars. Unlike many newcomers who seem to want to stand out as guitarists and play bass solos. There are few where this style works, like with the band Rush, and Iron Maiden. But I like the traditional way better.And in the case of Judas Priest and AC-DC it works better that way.👇 ruclips.net/video/rAgOJ9mJ1Bs/видео.html
The 70s albums show his skill a lot more, especially rocka rolla, but he knows how to serve the song and keep the rhythm tight, which makes him a great bassist in his own way
Ian Hill is one of the most rock-steady bass players. Always holding down the low end. So glad you pointed out he has a lot more complex work on the early material. That doesn’t seem to get brought up a lot
His playing style creates a "bridge" between the drums and the guitars. His fretting hand is following the melody of the rhythm guitar, while his picking hand follows the rhythm of the drums. This is what gives their music its' groove and makes the bottom end so solid and seamless while simultaneously flowing smoothly. He is actually producing a "dual" rhythm which requires a great deal of concentration to do correctly. His lines are not as simple as they seem on the surface.
Always loved Hill's playing, he plays for the song, always building a powerful foundation rather than noodling up the neck to show how clever he is - in short, he understands that he is the Bass player 🤘
The "Painkiller" bit is a mix of Ian's part, and Don Airey's synth bass. I think it sounds killer, personally, but it is a mix of keys and Ian on the bass track. According to Halfords autobiography, anyway, and I feel you can definitely hear it.
Yeah, it sounded like midi upwards the end. The clipping and succinctness of each note is evident. Weird I wish i knew where to get these isolated tracks
My favourite bass player. He does perfectly his job by valorizing their songs with straight bass lines. The bass active pickups played with a pick are absolutely amazing because they give a strong and bright sound (even playing low notes)!
Judas Priest was the 1st metal band I listened to when I was young kid....... They are the reason when I am a metal head today!!!!! THANKS guys for your music, I still listen to them today.
While many of Ian Hill's bass lines are pretty simple, they're still very effective and get the job done. But as you pointed out in the video, he does have some pretty complex bass lines as well!
As a bassist I've always thought that the metal rhythm section has to be a mix between simplicity and complexity. Ian Hill incarnates this kind of mentality and for that he's the best Judas Priest should have asked for.
Exactly right. Good bass players are the harmonic glue between the front ent of the band and the drums. Most people miss that entirely and think the bass line is a simplified version of the guitars. Not true.
As a bass player I agree totally. Although to me the most important aspect of a bass player in any genre is tone. I don’t care if you can shred like Billy Sheehan if you have shitty tone don’t bother. Which is why I’ve always used Ampeg svt .....shameless plug lol.
I was the bass player in a small town band in middle america during the early 80s and Priest had a big part of our 3-4 set playlist. I modeled my style after Ian Hill and just as you said, my band had a SOLID AF rhythm section! My drummer and I was TIGHT as tight can get and the guitars loved it!
Very underated! He may not be a virtuoso but his grooves and playing perfectly fit the context of their songs! And that's what a bass player should do!
Well some early metal isn't dissimilar of Early Fusion attitude wise Even he did simplified and let space , his bass lines in Whiskey woman , And The first bunch of albums , his lines are wayyy more than the root note . Raw deal is funky as hell
Yes as you siad, of course he's not playing fusion, its not the way they wanna deliver, and as Guilliaume said, early material (goes for several bands) had a bit more complicated approaches.
I just saw them here in Virginia Beach last week and Halford sounded great and he nailed Painkiller! I even got a cool picture of Ian Hill during the bow at the end of the show with a big smile on his face!
@@izzy2112 I met him when he used to work at Mars Music on Virginia Beach BLVD it was in 2002,3 and I also met him at the Ampitheater once! The best drummer and friendly down to earth bloke!
Great topic. Good points. Ian is the best for Priest. Also, on the Priest VS Maiden point, yes the approach is very different. Maiden is purely bass led, coloured by guitars like their heroes Wishbone Ash. While in Priest Ian gives the 2 guitars solid bottom end and a backbone or a foundation.
I'm so glad I found this channel! It's really excellent content! Of course it doesn't hurt that Judas Priest is my favorite band! Keep on rockin' brother!
I started my musical journey as a bass player in a priest and maiden covers band. Thanks to Hills solid basslines that play whats required rather than showing off his skills, I was able to gig within a week of getting my little jim deacon precision copy and this afforded me time to learn the iron maiden baselines. If not for Hills baselines I might never have been able to begin my journey. Admittedly I now mostly play guitar and piano but I still enjoy playing my LTD F-255 as well.
Couldn’t agree more. The heaviest foundations jointly with mainly with Scott Travis has been unique in sounds and style over the years. Lemmy did his own unique thing, recognisable forever. I love Steven Harris too and it always made me smile listening and looking at him, the ultimate frustrated guitar player coping guitar on base play😂
True that! I'm so glad I discovered The Rage while listening through the entire British Steel album last week or so, made me appreciate him all the more as a bassist!
Judas Priest is a anomaly to me, They are the only band I know of that went faster and their progression into it is mind blowing, I just recently started listening to Ripper era and it is amazing.....So much aggression on jugulator I love it!
I feel, Ian, prior to Priest breaking into rock mainstream (And Metal) was more experimental and moving more on the bass lines, however, around the time Killing Machine came around the band and fans knew what they wanted from the Band and Ian selflessly move to a more shy position whitin the band serving more as a bass player is "meant" to be, the solid funation of music whitin the drums, so the roaring guitars and high voice of Halford would be the main center of attention. It actually worked too well since Priest released Killing Machine, Breaking the Law, Screaming for Vengace and evntually Painkiller to massive acclaim and even albums like Angel of Retribution and Firepower in more recent years keep that strong feeling about what Judas Priest is. PErsonally i feel Ian could fit Maiden more than Harris Priest. Not than any of those could replace each other in them actual bands, but Ian style would still let the guitars of Maiden sound lound and clear and give a nice tone to the background (Though Maiden wonpt be the same whitout Harris since he wrottes a lot of the music). In Comparisson Harris bass would be too much on Priest´s material and would just not work, Harris suffering a faith similar to the Bass in AJFA or just having to rethink his bass approach.
I am a fan of both Priest and Maiden from way back. It was great to see you compare Ian's playing from early Priest to the newer stuff. It's all good, and it all makes sense from the standpoint of what the band was doing at the time. I, for one, prefer the older Priest albums and songs. I also appreciate how those early songs evolved over time. Like Victim of Changes and Diamonds and Rust. Still wish KK was back with them. But I look forward to his new stuff.
saw them on the Nostradamus tour so fucking solid .Ian Hill has inspired me as a bass player and your video is very insightfull thanks for the great content 🤘😎
He keeps it simple. Less is more. Incredible and legendary bass player of one of the most epic Heavy Metal band of all time in the History of music, period.
lan is very solid bass player his is killing it for 50 years , his playing in the early stuff til i think point of entry was really delicate but it got the hard straight forward after that but still great i wish he was more involved in song writing process, his work on juglator and demolition is pretty good thx for the mix of the album that the bass was so audible to hear the notes that is been played , sorry for the long paragraph but lan is on of the great bassist that still going great after all these years . Btw i suggest you do on peter baltes from accept his tone and style is amazing especially on the first records
It's also worth noting that he does a very simple but effective counterpoint in the main riff of Living After Midnight. While the guitars are playing E, D, A, B, Ian is doing a climbing run through E, F#, G, A, B.
Absolutely love Ian hill's bass playing. It's solid and to the point and not grandiose. Lot of bands had very simple bass , bands like Nazareth for example. It's actually really hard for bass players to play simple things without trying to add little bits in-between so Ian obviously has a lot of discipline. Awesome piece man love these clips. Long live Rock and Roll
I totally agree with the words " solid foundation" on the rhythm section of Judas Priest! This is what I always believed about Ian Hill! There is no comparison between Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Completely different bands and completely different sound.
@@wtfdidijustwatch5053 I wouldn't say that - Priest and Maiden were equally kick-ass when Screaming For Vengeance and Number Of The Beast were both released in 1982, and those albums were their best. I saw them on tour together that year as well, and Maiden opened.
Ian proved early on that he is a great player with his fingers, but as he stated he now plays with a pick, and chooses to do what is best for the band..
Judas Priest will always be in my top 5. I remember my dad taking me to go see them in Reno. And I was on his shoulders and Travis tried so hard to throw me a drumstick . Went right over me and we fell backwards trying to catch it. I didn’t catch it.... always be one of my great inspirations to keep on rocking. 🤘
i have always felt Ian Hill wax the perfect traditional metal bass player the guy I would love for my band if I had one . Ian never complains loves his band and I think he looks tough and cool . most of all he can put down a solid bass line with fingers or pick and is not convinced instead of solid bottom end and tight rhythm with the drums he is the third solo guitar that has to show his virtuosity in competition with the other guitarist . I love that in different music and bands but not straight metal or hard rock of Judas style . I just really respect what Ian does and his attitude and loyalty !
I dare to say this vid is very important because it shows Ian Hill is not only a spiritless straightforward bass player but has got his shining moments too. From the last album for example Children of the Sun there was a magic moment you could hear his bass quite well and I loved that
Ian Hill is a rhythmic power house. Just Stained Class alone cemented this man's legacy. Definitely wouldn't be Judas Priest without his signature sound and style. Long live Priest 🤘💯
Fancy, complex, virtuoso bass playing is not always the best thing. One of the main characteristics of Judas Priest's style is simplicity and minimalism ("Rapid Fire" from British Steel is a great example of this). These traits are what sets Priest apart from most other bands. Personally, I find Priest far superior than Maiden even though Maiden's bass lines are much more showy and virtuosic. Also, Maiden's singing is weak compared to Priest. Ian Hill does enough to get the job done in the simplest fashion, not to mention the fact that he was a founding member of the top Metal band in history. Ian Hill is certainly no virtuoso on the bass (as is Steve Harris), but this really doesn't matter because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I’ve noticed Harris always does what fits the song musically. While there are crazy little runs on albums like Powerslave and Somewhere in Time, everything fits - and the fast runs are almost a rhythmic accentuation as much as anything. Over the years I appreciate things I did not notice or care about over 30 years ago, So while I love Priest - and for me they have a hard yet accessible classic rock influenced sound others cannot touch - Maiden on a good day remains at the top of the heap musically and compositionally. I would say they’ve lately gotten boring by their own usual standards,.. Maiden are definitely a classic metal hits touring act these days.
BachScolar - I see your point(s) except Maiden’s singing is weak by comparison? Really? I’ve never heard Bruce Dickinson, known as The Air Raid Siren, accused of having weak vocals. Maybe you’ve only heard the Blayze Bayley Maiden albums? 🤨
One of the best bass players,he sticks to the drums-never shows off too much-the rhythm section of Judas Priest is poweful. Listen to the track RAW DEAL/studio version/. One of the best bass lines ever written. In my opinion,maybe even the best bass line in metal.Simply perfect
I play bass and I love Ian Hill for all the reasons you describe. A solid and powerful bass line makes metal music so much heavier. Fancy riffs and bass solos are great, but also superfluous. Bass absolutely must add a beefy punch to the music, that is the whole point. So in my bass playing, I simply add low end power to the music, steady and consistent. I toss in a riff here and there, but only in a section when the low tone will not be missed. Thanks for another great Judas Priest video!
Love for Ian Hill? Nice! As a drummer, I've always felt he was an underappreciated player. Excellent point about his earlier recordings. Cool video man!
Ian has proven that he is capable and versatile enough to do a lot more than what is required of Judas Priest. Solid player and person. Long live Ian Hill.
As a bass player for over 30 years and a MASSIVE JP fan, I have said numerous times that Ian is really underrated because his bass is covered up by the guitars. JP is solid and never could have progressed with a bass player that was more up front. He laid his bass tracks down perfectly for both guitars and has done it solidly for 50 years. That said, I once saw an interview with Victor Wooten and he said he would trade half his talent to be able to make more mainstream music. There would have been no heavy metal in the 80's without JP. I have seen them 4 times and Firepower gave them new life. They are absolutely kick ass and I also think Richie fits the band perfectly ;)
Hill is the secret to their sound. He glued everything together with those immobile, rock-solid, often single-note lines. Imitators of the Priest style often get this part of the equation wrong. They try to play fancy bass lines, or track the guitars. But it’s the bass playing across the guitar lines, like Hill, that is solely responsible for producing that massive sound.
Exactly. I've always said that a huge part of Priest's sound was Hill's use of pedal tones - sitting on one note while the guitars change chords on top. The outro of "Steeler" is a great example - that outro wouldn't have nearly as much power without Ian chugging away on an E while the guitars and riffing on a D chord. Somebody commented on another video about how, in "You've Got Another Thing Coming", Ian sits on an F# for so long that, when he finally changes notes, "it's an event".
@@rikosborne1212 That’s another good point, and a great example in Another Thing Coming. That F# is so firmly established that, by the time he changes in the lift to the chorus, the lift is truly a lift.
Thanks for the video, MP. Ian is great, even if he doesn't move much on stage either! But I was hoping you had isolated the bass from Tyrant, particularly the Unleashed version.
Peter Baltes (ex-Accept) is another great, underrated bass player. Both Ian and Peter have it in them to be flash but more than happy to serve the song with roots and eighths, and providing that foundation for the guitars to do their thing. Which is what metal was and should be all about before all the kids came with their Zb minus 3 brown note chuggers.
I've been a fan of JP and Ian Hill since the 70's Sad Wings of Destiny and I've been a bass player since then as well and I always appreciated his "stay in the pocket" and 'serve the song first' mentality. Fancy bass riffs are fine in a studio setting but for live stage work, those can get lost in the mix when you're playing with two hard charging guitarists who are front and center. Ian Hill is still one of rock's most solid bass players.
Ian really hasn't seemed to age; too much. He's always been back next to the speakers. Guy has the bottom end for sure. Happy you showed keyboardist Don Airey. I had my doubts about the bass on that album, and sure enough, it comes out that Ian had possible health issues that kept him from playing on most of Painkiller. The keyboard wizard, himself, played most of the " bass parts" on that album.
He may not be the most skilled bass player ever but he is a true work horse that has always come through for his band. He is the Ringo Star of the bass guitar.
1:46 I love the "random" Don Airey pic spliced in there hahaha In case you didn't know, he filled in for a couple of Ian's bass parts on that album (because Ian was sick or something) on synthesiser and you can definitely hear it.
I am a great fan of JP. I like Ian Hill but I must admit that there are other great bassists around there. I agree that he gave to the priest that incisive tone through the years and he has been able to evolve his style fitting also the evolution of the band style. Thank you Ian !
I just saw Judas Priest last night, and was talking with a friend about how Ian Hill is the perfect bassist for the band. He stays in pretty much the same spot the entire time, with his legs wide, and I think the only reason he brings them together to stand normally is to reassure audience members who may start to think that the other band members had nailed his feet to the stage. Other than looking a bit older, he's the same as when I saw JP for the first time in 1980. That steadiness is what makes him so important. It's similar to AC/DC. Malcolm Young's machine-like precise rhythm playing, along with the bass and drums, created the perfect context for Angus Young to shine. It's fortunate that Stevie Young did such an excellent job of absorbing his uncle's style and approach that he's able to continue providing that context. I'm a huge fan of the Steve Harris, Billy Sheehan, John Myung, Marcel Jacob, etc., style of bass playing, but those rhythm sections that aren't necessarily super complex but are rock-solid, precise, and reliable will also get the highest praise from me.
This makes sense. They went from prog rock (closer to it than Maiden ever were IMO) to that minimal blues hard rock sound. No one can argue their success in making this change or for changing with the times, but I've always thought they lost something great after Stained Class. Not just the simplifying of the bass,, but also Halford trading his full range for more characterization (shrieks and growls), and the lyrics going from literary, trippy and thought-provoking to street level. Clearly some punk influence in that. Looking back, it seems like 2 different bands that just happened to have most of the same members.
Sea of Tranquility is doing a series on live albums year by year. One that was featured was of course Unleashed in the East by Priest. So that got me listening to that album again. Bearing in mind this was all material pre British Steel the bass lines and playing is phenomenal! Listen to Genocide and yes it's got great guitars going on but it's truly the bass that is driving the song. Interesting to know that he changed from fingers to pick not long after. Hearing those isolated bass tracks it is noticeable that the bass lines are more driving, rythmical and percussive but less melodic than when he played finger style. However, they equally serve the song perfectly. Definitely a crucial part of Judas Priest's sound.
I never really took notice of him… until I bought the 5-album Judas Priest collection with Sin after sin, British Steel, Turbo, Painkiller and Angel of Retribution and after listening to the band’s music on a high quality stereo system, that’s when you can really hear and appreciate Hill’s playing and his contribution to the music. Yes he has his simple parts, but many times he follows the main riff perfectly, even when it’s very technical, he does his own fills only when necessary and doesn’t fuff around too much. A really great bass player and an essential part of Judas Priest 👍
Ian Hill is great
I'd like to hear you go over some bass facts/tips for Judas Priest, I'm a guitarist myself, but I follow your channel :)
@@jiantjingerjohn I think, a lot of the people who follow his channel, are guitarists.
@@marvintimke3978 Most are Metallica fans, for pilgrim Maiden Fans, for mine, Mostly Thrash & All Kinds of Metal
Ian is Judas, KK is Priest!
yep! I wonder who played those basslines?!
No flash, no "hey look at me" just pure solid rhythm section. Ian is a legend.
When I saw Priest on the Screaming tour I noticed Ian didn't move around much, he had a spot in front of his amps and pretty much stayed there until it was time for a guitar line.
@@bearbryant3495 That's his gig. He lets the others do their things and he just blends in with the drummer. Solid rhythm sections give the other band members room to move. Just like Geezer and Ward for Black Sabbath.
Ian still gets so much respect because he doesn't fight for attention or show off in his playing. He's simply on rhythm, on time and on key, which is why the bands sound always holds so well. He's pretty much the role model of what a bass player is meant to do for a band.
Just saw him last night in Detroit. Fantastic show. The only problem with Ian's bass lines is he is not loud enough in the mix! He is solid and serves the song very well. There is a quote he gives about Roger Glover,who produced Priest at one time, advising Ian on more of a pocket approach. I enjoyed hearing the isolated tracks and he is doing more than I thought or can hear in the mix. And the career length and touring mileage..forget about it. A legend of Bass!
Saw Priest last night in Milwaukee and I was also disappointed in the overall mix. The bass was almost non-existent. Too bad because the band was killing it and doing a great job as always, and Rob Halford was quite strong. Regardless, it was awesome to see them again, and I hope they can do one more tour that includes KK and Les Binks.
Saw Priest in '86 (Turbo), '90 (Painkiller), and lastly the Jugulator tour. You could definitely hear, but mostly feel Ian's powerful bass kicking you in the chest. Probably the loudest concerts I've been to, and the best. IDK why they've cut him down in the mix, but that needs to get fixed.
Ian Hill is like the bass player in AC-DC, Cliff Williams, you almost don't notice him but you feel him. They are loud, but in a way to fill the atmosphere.
That's the function of the bass as a rhythm section and to reinforce the guitar sound, a bridge between the drums and the guitars.
Unlike many newcomers who seem to want to stand out as guitarists and play bass solos.
There are few where this style works, like with the band Rush, and Iron Maiden. But I like the traditional way better.And in the case of Judas Priest and AC-DC it works better that way.👇
ruclips.net/video/rAgOJ9mJ1Bs/видео.html
Saw them in Halifax and the bass was very prominent in the mix. Show was amazing.
In the old days Ian's bass live would change the rhythm of your heartbeat.
I definitely thought you were gonna put “The Rage” in there. Love the opening bass line.
YES!
Ian actually plays a reggae bass line in the beginning of this song.
Incredible!
The 70s albums show his skill a lot more, especially rocka rolla, but he knows how to serve the song and keep the rhythm tight, which makes him a great bassist in his own way
Ian is Priest when it comes to holding the riff fort for the two guitarists. Rock solid reliable.
Ian Hill is one of the most rock-steady bass players. Always holding down the low end. So glad you pointed out he has a lot more complex work on the early material. That doesn’t seem to get brought up a lot
Him and Cliff Williams
I totally agree Aaron!
Saints in hell… geezer butler type bass playing. Stained class is the greatest.
His playing style creates a "bridge" between the drums and the guitars. His fretting hand is following the melody of the rhythm guitar, while his picking hand follows the rhythm of the drums. This is what gives their music its' groove and makes the bottom end so solid and seamless while simultaneously flowing smoothly. He is actually producing a "dual" rhythm which requires a great deal of concentration to do correctly. His lines are not as simple as they seem on the surface.
Very well said. You're right in stating what Hill does is far from easy or simple.
I never thought of it that way, but I see it (or rather hear it) now. Solid bassist and an awesome guy.
Always loved Hill's playing, he plays for the song, always building a powerful foundation rather than noodling up the neck to show how clever he is - in short, he understands that he is the Bass player 🤘
Rock solid.
'noodling up the neck to show how clever he is' - hmm, I WONDER who you might be referring to with that, haha.
@@enjoythestruggle 🤔😉
I just saw them live for the first time and man, Ian Hill blows you away live.
Imagine Ian Hill and Steve Harris discussing the position of a bass player on the stage and in the mix.
That could come to blows...🤣
Lars Ulrich: I see we talking bass here... Shut ´em off boys
@@antoniocenteno1483 best comment of the day.
Throw in Lemmy and you complete the metal gods of bass.
I once saw Ian Hill move on stage.
My appreciation for Ian Hill's bass playing grew after watching this video
The "Painkiller" bit is a mix of Ian's part, and Don Airey's synth bass. I think it sounds killer, personally, but it is a mix of keys and Ian on the bass track. According to Halfords autobiography, anyway, and I feel you can definitely hear it.
Yeah, it sounded like midi upwards the end. The clipping and succinctness of each note is evident. Weird
I wish i knew where to get these isolated tracks
Ian Hill did not play on painkiller.
Yeah, there's no real bass mixed in there, just two synthetic tones ("voices") blended
My favourite bass player. He does perfectly his job by valorizing their songs with straight bass lines. The bass active pickups played with a pick are absolutely amazing because they give a strong and bright sound (even playing low notes)!
Judas Priest was the 1st metal band I listened to when I was young kid....... They are the reason when I am a metal head today!!!!! THANKS guys for your music, I still listen to them today.
While many of Ian Hill's bass lines are pretty simple, they're still very effective and get the job done. But as you pointed out in the video, he does have some pretty complex bass lines as well!
As a bassist I've always thought that the metal rhythm section has to be a mix between simplicity and complexity.
Ian Hill incarnates this kind of mentality and for that he's the best Judas Priest should have asked for.
Exactly right. Good bass players are the harmonic glue between the front ent of the band and the drums. Most people miss that entirely and think the bass line is a simplified version of the guitars. Not true.
As a bass player I agree totally. Although to me the most important aspect of a bass player in any genre is tone. I don’t care if you can shred like Billy Sheehan if you have shitty tone don’t bother. Which is why I’ve always used Ampeg svt .....shameless plug lol.
I was the bass player in a small town band in middle america during the early 80s and Priest had a big part of our 3-4 set playlist. I modeled my style after Ian Hill and just as you said, my band had a SOLID AF rhythm section! My drummer and I was TIGHT as tight can get and the guitars loved it!
Very underated! He may not be a virtuoso but his grooves and playing perfectly fit the context of their songs! And that's what a bass player should do!
Ian is often overlooked when mentioning about great bassists. Glad you made this video.
I met Ian Hill a couple years ago after a concert. You could never meet a more humble, friendly man.
Great tone and lays down the low end. He’s in a metal band not Stanley Clarke playing free form jazz fusion. Props for killing it for decades
Well some early metal isn't dissimilar of Early Fusion attitude wise
Even he did simplified and let space , his bass lines in Whiskey woman , And The first bunch of albums , his lines are wayyy more than the root note .
Raw deal is funky as hell
Yes as you siad, of course he's not playing fusion, its not the way they wanna deliver, and
as Guilliaume said, early material (goes for several bands) had a bit more complicated
approaches.
Yeah! Rock, Solid, Straight and Powerful! Ian Hill
I just saw them here in Virginia Beach last week and Halford sounded great and he nailed Painkiller! I even got a cool picture of Ian Hill during the bow at the end of the show with a big smile on his face!
That's awesome! I'm so excited to see them live again soon!
and scott travis is a hometown boy from VB i used to see him in the club days ways back
@@izzy2112 I met him when he used to work at Mars Music on Virginia Beach BLVD it was in 2002,3 and I also met him at the Ampitheater once! The best drummer and friendly down to earth bloke!
@@joefisher1972 I lived across the road from lynnhaven mall got my telecaster worked on at Mars and Alpha music I now live in Australia
They will be in OKC next month......can't wait!!
Great topic. Good points. Ian is the best for Priest. Also, on the Priest VS Maiden point, yes the approach is very different. Maiden is purely bass led, coloured by guitars like their heroes Wishbone Ash. While in Priest Ian gives the 2 guitars solid bottom end and a backbone or a foundation.
He also plays these bass tracks on stage while swinging the bass around. 🤘🤘
"I did what was best for the song, not me" something no musician could say in today's music.
I'm so glad I found this channel! It's really excellent content! Of course it doesn't hurt that Judas Priest is my favorite band! Keep on rockin' brother!
Well, the Painkiller bass parts are actually a Moog synth! Still, love the guy! He is like Cliff Williams from AC/DC
Listen to the Death version to hear an actual bass play the parts ha
Hence the half second subliminal picture of Don Airey in the clip? 🤔
Yeah I was gonna say it didn't sound like a bass guitar to me!
@@purplegrant Ha! Didn't even notice, had to go back and look for it lol. Clever and sneaky, my favorite combination.
So Ian doesn't play the bass at all on painkiller? Thats weird
THANK YOU! Ian Hill never gets the praise for his bass playing that he deserves.
"Run of the Mill" and "Dreamer/Deceiver" both have incredible bass lines.
Tyrant too
Dissident Aggressor too. underacknowledged? Yep. Better than Steve Harris? Yep. Harris is very sloppy.
Those are in fact some of the coolest bass parts I've ever heard. I particularly enjoyed the Screaming For Vengeance climb.
I started my musical journey as a bass player in a priest and maiden covers band. Thanks to Hills solid basslines that play whats required rather than showing off his skills, I was able to gig within a week of getting my little jim deacon precision copy and this afforded me time to learn the iron maiden baselines. If not for Hills baselines I might never have been able to begin my journey. Admittedly I now mostly play guitar and piano but I still enjoy playing my LTD F-255 as well.
He is THE PERFECT bass player for JUDAS PRIEST. That’s all he is…and that’s all he needs to be.
Hmmm I think Sid vicious woulda dome a better job..
Ian's playing on Jugulator is outrageous.
Had the pleasure of hanging out with with Ian back in 1985 for few months down in FLA. Great guy always paid the Bar bill .
Couldn’t agree more. The heaviest foundations jointly with mainly with Scott Travis has been unique in sounds and style over the years. Lemmy did his own unique thing, recognisable forever. I love Steven Harris too and it always made me smile listening and looking at him, the ultimate frustrated guitar player coping guitar on base play😂
Severely underrated bassist hes right don't be fooled ian is a beast! I just wish they would turn him up in the mix just a tad
Yes!!! The bass gets too washed out in many of the Priest mixes.
Exactly!!!
True that! I'm so glad I discovered The Rage while listening through the entire British Steel album last week or so, made me appreciate him all the more as a bassist!
Judas Priest is a anomaly to me, They are the only band I know of that went faster and their progression into it is mind blowing,
I just recently started listening to Ripper era and it is amazing.....So much aggression on jugulator I love it!
Desacratoooor!!!!!
Metal Messiah reminds me strongly of Pantera and Korn and I love.it
Just imagine all the stories that he must have in that brain of his...
Mmmmm brains.....................I wish I had one.
I wanna hear the groupie stories over 50 years.
I feel, Ian, prior to Priest breaking into rock mainstream (And Metal) was more experimental and moving more on the bass lines, however, around the time Killing Machine came around the band and fans knew what they wanted from the Band and Ian selflessly move to a more shy position whitin the band serving more as a bass player is "meant" to be, the solid funation of music whitin the drums, so the roaring guitars and high voice of Halford would be the main center of attention. It actually worked too well since Priest released Killing Machine, Breaking the Law, Screaming for Vengace and evntually Painkiller to massive acclaim and even albums like Angel of Retribution and Firepower in more recent years keep that strong feeling about what Judas Priest is.
PErsonally i feel Ian could fit Maiden more than Harris Priest. Not than any of those could replace each other in them actual bands, but Ian style would still let the guitars of Maiden sound lound and clear and give a nice tone to the background (Though Maiden wonpt be the same whitout Harris since he wrottes a lot of the music). In Comparisson Harris bass would be too much on Priest´s material and would just not work, Harris suffering a faith similar to the Bass in AJFA or just having to rethink his bass approach.
I am a fan of both Priest and Maiden from way back. It was great to see you compare Ian's playing from early Priest to the newer stuff. It's all good, and it all makes sense from the standpoint of what the band was doing at the time.
I, for one, prefer the older Priest albums and songs. I also appreciate how those early songs evolved over time. Like Victim of Changes and Diamonds and Rust. Still wish KK was back with them. But I look forward to his new stuff.
saw them on the Nostradamus tour so fucking solid .Ian Hill has inspired me as a bass player and your video is very insightfull thanks for the great content 🤘😎
His bass playing during the US Festival '83 is so spot on. Solid, musical, in time, balanced....Give it a listen.
He keeps it simple. Less is more. Incredible and legendary bass player of one of the most epic Heavy Metal band of all time in the History of music, period.
lan is very solid bass player his is killing it for 50 years , his playing in the early stuff til i think point of entry was really delicate but it got the hard straight forward after that but still great i wish he was more involved in song writing process, his work on juglator and demolition is pretty good thx for the mix of the album that the bass was so audible to hear the notes that is been played , sorry for the long paragraph but lan is on of the great bassist that still going great after all these years . Btw i suggest you do on peter baltes from accept his tone and style is amazing especially on the first records
It's also worth noting that he does a very simple but effective counterpoint in the main riff of Living After Midnight. While the guitars are playing E, D, A, B, Ian is doing a climbing run through E, F#, G, A, B.
Absolutely love Ian hill's bass playing. It's solid and to the point and not grandiose. Lot of bands had very simple bass , bands like Nazareth for example. It's actually really hard for bass players to play simple things without trying to add little bits in-between so Ian obviously has a lot of discipline. Awesome piece man love these clips. Long live Rock and Roll
I totally agree with the words " solid foundation" on the rhythm section of Judas Priest!
This is what I always believed about Ian Hill!
There is no comparison between Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Completely different bands and completely different sound.
Not that different - when Maiden first came out, they were considered by many to be a Priest rip-off band.
@@dmitryowens till they learned their craft then totally blew JP outta the water! ☺️
@@wtfdidijustwatch5053
I wouldn't say that - Priest and Maiden were equally kick-ass when Screaming For Vengeance and Number Of The Beast were both released in 1982, and those albums were their best. I saw them on tour together that year as well, and Maiden opened.
@@dmitryowens yea SFV was a great album!
@@wtfdidijustwatch5053
Priest in their prime firing on all cylinders 🤘
Ian proved early on that he is a great player with his fingers, but as he stated he now plays with a pick, and chooses to do what is best for the band..
Judas Priest will always be in my top 5. I remember my dad taking me to go see them in Reno. And I was on his shoulders and Travis tried so hard to throw me a drumstick . Went right over me and we fell backwards trying to catch it. I didn’t catch it.... always be one of my great inspirations to keep on rocking. 🤘
i have always felt Ian Hill wax the perfect traditional metal bass player the guy I would love for my band if I had one . Ian never complains loves his band and I think he looks tough and cool . most of all he can put down a solid bass line with fingers or pick and is not convinced instead of solid bottom end and tight rhythm with the drums he is the third solo guitar that has to show his virtuosity in competition with the other guitarist . I love that in different music and bands but not straight metal or hard rock of Judas style . I just really respect what Ian does and his attitude and loyalty !
I dare to say this vid is very important because it shows Ian Hill is not only a spiritless straightforward bass player but has got his shining moments too. From the last album for example Children of the Sun there was a magic moment you could hear his bass quite well and I loved that
Ian Hill is a rhythmic power house. Just Stained Class alone cemented this man's legacy. Definitely wouldn't be Judas Priest without his signature sound and style. Long live Priest 🤘💯
A true bass rhythm man, not a show boat. He laid down the perfect foundation for JP.
Ian Hill is so humble! Love him.
Fancy, complex, virtuoso bass playing is not always the best thing. One of the main characteristics of Judas Priest's style is simplicity and minimalism ("Rapid Fire" from British Steel is a great example of this). These traits are what sets Priest apart from most other bands. Personally, I find Priest far superior than Maiden even though Maiden's bass lines are much more showy and virtuosic. Also, Maiden's singing is weak compared to Priest. Ian Hill does enough to get the job done in the simplest fashion, not to mention the fact that he was a founding member of the top Metal band in history. Ian Hill is certainly no virtuoso on the bass (as is Steve Harris), but this really doesn't matter because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I’ve noticed Harris always does what fits the song musically.
While there are crazy little runs on albums like Powerslave and Somewhere in Time, everything fits - and the fast runs are almost a rhythmic accentuation as much as anything. Over the years I appreciate things I did not notice or care about over 30 years ago,
So while I love Priest - and for me they have a hard yet accessible classic rock influenced sound others cannot touch - Maiden on a good day remains at the top of the heap musically and compositionally. I would say they’ve lately gotten boring by their own usual standards,.. Maiden are definitely a classic metal hits touring act these days.
I pretty much agree with all of that
Woah so cool seeing you here Bach Scholar! Long time subscriber !
Maiden singing is weak ? Bruh better wash your ears :D
BachScolar - I see your point(s) except Maiden’s singing is weak by comparison? Really? I’ve never heard Bruce Dickinson, known as The Air Raid Siren, accused of having weak vocals. Maybe you’ve only heard the Blayze Bayley Maiden albums? 🤨
One of the best bass players,he sticks to the drums-never shows off too much-the rhythm section of Judas Priest is poweful. Listen to the track RAW DEAL/studio version/. One of the best bass lines ever written. In my opinion,maybe even the best bass line in metal.Simply perfect
I play bass and I love Ian Hill for all the reasons you describe. A solid and powerful bass line makes metal music so much heavier. Fancy riffs and bass solos are great, but also superfluous. Bass absolutely must add a beefy punch to the music, that is the whole point. So in my bass playing, I simply add low end power to the music, steady and consistent. I toss in a riff here and there, but only in a section when the low tone will not be missed. Thanks for another great Judas Priest video!
This is one of the - best - videos about NWOBHM of all time. Short, concise and solid. Thanks a lot and bring more please.
Love for Ian Hill? Nice! As a drummer, I've always felt he was an underappreciated player.
Excellent point about his earlier recordings.
Cool video man!
Super-tight time, gutsy tone, hard-hitting accents/articulation, and the tasteful and musical lines at all times… incredible player in his own way.
Ian has proven that he is capable and versatile enough to do a lot more than what is required of Judas Priest.
Solid player and person.
Long live Ian Hill.
It shows that Ian was without ego and did what's best for the band!
He has amazing string muting techniques as well.
As a bass player for over 30 years and a MASSIVE JP fan, I have said numerous times that Ian is really underrated because his bass is covered up by the guitars. JP is solid and never could have progressed with a bass player that was more up front. He laid his bass tracks down perfectly for both guitars and has done it solidly for 50 years. That said, I once saw an interview with Victor Wooten and he said he would trade half his talent to be able to make more mainstream music. There would have been no heavy metal in the 80's without JP. I have seen them 4 times and Firepower gave them new life. They are absolutely kick ass and I also think Richie fits the band perfectly ;)
Hill is the secret to their sound. He glued everything together with those immobile, rock-solid, often single-note lines. Imitators of the Priest style often get this part of the equation wrong. They try to play fancy bass lines, or track the guitars. But it’s the bass playing across the guitar lines, like Hill, that is solely responsible for producing that massive sound.
Exactly. I've always said that a huge part of Priest's sound was Hill's use of pedal tones - sitting on one note while the guitars change chords on top. The outro of "Steeler" is a great example - that outro wouldn't have nearly as much power without Ian chugging away on an E while the guitars and riffing on a D chord. Somebody commented on another video about how, in "You've Got Another Thing Coming", Ian sits on an F# for so long that, when he finally changes notes, "it's an event".
He rocks the joint.
@@rikosborne1212 That’s another good point, and a great example in Another Thing Coming. That F# is so firmly established that, by the time he changes in the lift to the chorus, the lift is truly a lift.
Also during live performances Ian has never moved from the back right corner of the stage, while Steve is running around like crazy.
Left corner bro, LEFT
Thanks for the video, MP. Ian is great, even if he doesn't move much on stage either! But I was hoping you had isolated the bass from Tyrant, particularly the Unleashed version.
Your damned right my friend. This man plays the bass perfectly. Jesus. God bless his talent and his fingers.
ian hill is a living legend true and total artist
Peter Baltes (ex-Accept) is another great, underrated bass player. Both Ian and Peter have it in them to be flash but more than happy to serve the song with roots and eighths, and providing that foundation for the guitars to do their thing. Which is what metal was and should be all about before all the kids came with their Zb minus 3 brown note chuggers.
Ian Hill is a monster bassist, That's all that has to be said!
I've been a fan of JP and Ian Hill since the 70's Sad Wings of Destiny and I've been a bass player since then as well and I always appreciated his "stay in the pocket" and 'serve the song first' mentality. Fancy bass riffs are fine in a studio setting but for live stage work, those can get lost in the mix when you're playing with two hard charging guitarists who are front and center. Ian Hill is still one of rock's most solid bass players.
I have always respected Ian Hill....he is a very talented, yet underrated bass player.
Ian really hasn't seemed to age; too much. He's always been back next to the speakers. Guy has the bottom end for sure. Happy you showed keyboardist Don Airey. I had my doubts about the bass on that album, and sure enough, it comes out that Ian had possible health issues that kept him from playing on most of Painkiller. The keyboard wizard, himself, played most of the " bass parts" on that album.
*Isn't it nice Ian Hill himself recorded that Victim of Changes bass part for us?*
He looks like he's a good frrriend of you. 😉
that's not Ian Hill...some top tier CGI though for sure!!
He did?? 😚😆🙄
Ian with Scott are the base of Judas and heavy metal. They created the sound and the foundation that define it
Ian's been there since the beginning....Scott didn't join till '89. Alot of good JP before Scott.
@@DaleBouwman i know. But compare the sound, the albums beetween the drummers. Since Painkiller, all changed
@@nicoflores3544 thts true especially frm Ram It Down to Painkiller.....huge difference. I think Scott brought more flare
He may not be the most skilled bass player ever but he is a true work horse that has always come through for his band. He is the Ringo Star of the bass guitar.
A true living legend. A rhythm beast . One of the most underrated bass player of the world , he do what the song needs
He serves the songs! A true musician!
1:46 I love the "random" Don Airey pic spliced in there hahaha
In case you didn't know, he filled in for a couple of Ian's bass parts on that album (because Ian was sick or something) on synthesiser and you can definitely hear it.
I am a great fan of JP. I like Ian Hill but I must admit that there are other great bassists around there. I agree that he gave to the priest that incisive tone through the years and he has been able to evolve his style fitting also the evolution of the band style. Thank you Ian !
Ian rules!!! Living legend.
I just saw Judas Priest last night, and was talking with a friend about how Ian Hill is the perfect bassist for the band. He stays in pretty much the same spot the entire time, with his legs wide, and I think the only reason he brings them together to stand normally is to reassure audience members who may start to think that the other band members had nailed his feet to the stage. Other than looking a bit older, he's the same as when I saw JP for the first time in 1980. That steadiness is what makes him so important.
It's similar to AC/DC. Malcolm Young's machine-like precise rhythm playing, along with the bass and drums, created the perfect context for Angus Young to shine. It's fortunate that Stevie Young did such an excellent job of absorbing his uncle's style and approach that he's able to continue providing that context. I'm a huge fan of the Steve Harris, Billy Sheehan, John Myung, Marcel Jacob, etc., style of bass playing, but those rhythm sections that aren't necessarily super complex but are rock-solid, precise, and reliable will also get the highest praise from me.
A legend…
Dude, check out his bass line for "Cathedral Spires", it's amazing. Imo
That outro is not from this planet. So dark and thrilling
Imagine that, just like Steve Harris of Maiden he's the only remainer of the original line up. Two rock solid metal legends still standing.
Iron Maiden is Harris's band.
Dave Murray is original line up....and he's still in Maiden
Bruno Stapenhill was actually Judas Priest original Bassist
Ian Hill is a beast. Period.
This makes sense. They went from prog rock (closer to it than Maiden ever were IMO) to that minimal blues hard rock sound. No one can argue their success in making this change or for changing with the times, but I've always thought they lost something great after Stained Class. Not just the simplifying of the bass,, but also Halford trading his full range for more characterization (shrieks and growls), and the lyrics going from literary, trippy and thought-provoking to street level. Clearly some punk influence in that. Looking back, it seems like 2 different bands that just happened to have most of the same members.
Ian Hill is the most metal thing in existence.
Ian is one of my favorite bass players.....I have tons of respect for him!
Always been underrated, love him so much.
Underrated and under appreciated Legend
Sea of Tranquility is doing a series on live albums year by year. One that was featured was of course Unleashed in the East by Priest. So that got me listening to that album again. Bearing in mind this was all material pre British Steel the bass lines and playing is phenomenal! Listen to Genocide and yes it's got great guitars going on but it's truly the bass that is driving the song. Interesting to know that he changed from fingers to pick not long after. Hearing those isolated bass tracks it is noticeable that the bass lines are more driving, rythmical and percussive but less melodic than when he played finger style. However, they equally serve the song perfectly. Definitely a crucial part of Judas Priest's sound.
Good video, I definitely have overlooked his playing up until now.
spot on with your analysis. Hill is/was the consumate TEAM player... A great addition to any band.
This man stands in one spot during a live set. Literally does not move. And crushes the game everytime.
Similar to Bill Wyman.
Ian Hill ROCKS! Hell of a bass player!
I never really took notice of him… until I bought the 5-album Judas Priest collection with Sin after sin, British Steel, Turbo, Painkiller and Angel of Retribution and after listening to the band’s music on a high quality stereo system, that’s when you can really hear and appreciate Hill’s playing and his contribution to the music.
Yes he has his simple parts, but many times he follows the main riff perfectly, even when it’s very technical, he does his own fills only when necessary and doesn’t fuff around too much. A really great bass player and an essential part of Judas Priest 👍
He’s a good example of how rock bass player should sound.