Also, fun fact: I asked Sean a question on his site many years ago, and he sent me, via email, a video he made to explain his right hand technique. Blew my mind. Legend.
Thanks for making this. I was Sean's student and asked so many questions about the bass lines on Focus. The "Jaco" line you refer to is indeed a direct reference to Jaco Pastorius. Also, in regards to his technique, more specifically his left hand, he was very adamant on fretting directly with his finger tips.
@@alexderlago dude, your playstyle is so similar to Sean's, now I know why. I'm glad you posted videos on Sean's techniques as well. Thank you for everything you do.
Funny story, @alexderlago - Cynic popped up on my last.fm metal playlist back in like 2008 and it blew my mind, Trace in Air album. Was a normie metal bass player before that but hearing that album sent me down a different path. Looked up who this guy was and how he got his sound. When I found out he played the Gary Willis Signature bass on that album I had to look up who Gary was; now one of Gary's students.
Anybody interested in hearing more Sean Malone should check out the two albums he released under the name Gordian Knot. I can appreciate Cynic, but Gordian Knot is the Sean Malone music that really blows me away.
Gordon’s Knots first album…one of the greatest albums of all time. Absolutely phenomenal. Instrumentals that tug at your heart strings. Definitely in my top 3 of desert island albums.
Malone also knocked out some amazing bass lines on the first Aghora album that Reinert also played on. It took a lot of hunting down a copy but it's a great album with a lot of eastern influences.
Him and Reinert were just miles beyond everyone else on their respective instruments. Even 30 years later I am in absolute awe of their technique and feel.
That’s actually a phenomenal point - in a genre based on technicality and precision, those guys injected an incredibly strong feel and fluidity into the music. I couldn’t agree more. A real chemistry for a rhythm section: not just a drummer and a bassist playing rhythms in sync, but the stylistic choices in how they presented it.
Extraordinary bassist. Back in 1993/94, i have corresponded with him by postal letter. I sent a stamped letter to Cynic (kind of fan club) address, and as he was studying french, he answered me in french ! (i'm french and bass player). Very good memories ! Cynic's Focus is one of the most important album in tech/prog metal history. Very sad him and Sean Reinert (another Amazing musician) passed away....great video. Edit: he sent me its personnel demo on cassette on side 1 (with the Cynic demo of 1991 on side 2 !)
isn't it so cool to know that one of these legends just read a letter from some one they never knew, took the time to write them back, put something like a tape in, went to their postal office and sent it to you, on their cost.
I had the honour to consider Sean was a great friend of mine (let alone a hero/inspiration). Although living 9000 miles apart, we'd chat every day online, on the phone, it was during the Gordian Knot 1-2/Aghora era.... I helped him with completing his collection of Douglas Hofstadter GEB books in all translated languages and even procuring some rare Goldberg Variations by Gould that he was raving on about so much 😂 He was adamant in supporting me moving to Oregon and study music/guitar at the college/Uni he was teaching back then.He was a certified genius. And had such sensitivity, which always translated into his phrasing and melodic choices. That has always been my fave thing of Sean's playing: his melodic lyricism. There are tons of great bass players out there, Sean's technique is indeed flawless and second to none, BUT man, the notes and phrases that Malone hit, composed and improvised were just preternatural. Perfect. I'll never forgive myself for gradually losing touch with him through the years. He's deeply, sorely missed.
In 1993, no one in a metal band could conceive of bass playing as intricate as Sean Malone's performance on Focus. He worked for Morrisound studios and Cynic recruited him after losing their previous bassist (the amazing Tony Choy). It was serendipitous in the sense that Cynic were increasingly going in a jazz/fusion direction when Malone came along and added that Jaco-infused touch. I don't think I would change a single note on the album. It is as close to perfect as they come. Almost 30 years later and Focus continues to be my #1 favorite album ever made. RIP to both Seans who left us way too soon. 🍺 GENIUSES. The lot of you! 🙂
I saw them on the Focus tour with Cannibal Corpse back in the day and people had no idea what to make of them. They just stood there and watched. They were truly ahead of their time. Everyone in that band was staggering. Sean really turned me onto fretless.
So deeply saddened by the passing of these two cherished heroes of death metal, these guys changed it all, as a Florida native this band is really close to my heart! learned so much from this vid and comments!
The thing about "index finger moves _only_ when he needs it to" is related to the fretless-ness of the instrument. Even with fretlines, you do _not_ want to lose the position and keeping one finger at a known position helps quite a bit.
Thanks for this video. Cynic, aghora, gordian knot and cortlandt opened the door of new world for me. Sean's bass line is unrivaled and unique in these albums... RIP
I was fortunate to see Cynic in 2014 on the first tour when Sean Malone rejoined them on stage. I really feel lucky to have seen him performing with Sean Reinert.
The note Sean Malone wrote about Sean Reinert's passing was extremely telling of their bond, both in the music and outside of the music. Hell of a pair, and two of the best in this genre to ever do it.
When I saw Cynic they had Robin Zielhorst playing bass, another fantastic player. He has a great playthrough of Time and It's Changes from Exivious that would be a good candidate for an analysis video.
Great analysis and you nailed it with pointing out the "Jaco" parts and I am glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. What a revelation Cynic was when Focus came out. I grew up on prog rock and the fusion greats and eventually transitioned into extreme metal. Cynic brought those influences together like no one before them. Thanks and Cheers.
For sure. It's just such a thoughtful bass part. The openness of Cynic's songs in some places really let him run the roads along the fretboard. I love how often they contrast everything.
That clean sections are so beautiful in this song. The bass makes it so beautiful it can make u cry lol. And the Gordian knot opening track bass line is just ahhhh I love it
I remember first hearing this album. Upto then i was familiar with pretty standard heavy bass playing but on this album I heard the bass pop out in ways I'd never heard before that at first sounded almost wrong. Such a different sound for me , and exposure to another way of playing. R.i.p sean we won't forget you
The line Sean plays several times and that you try to figure out around 7.50 min reminds me a lot of the second half of the bass line played during the verse of Tower of Power's "What is hip?". Wouldn't surprise me if he snuck a little easter egg in there as a nod to Francis Rocco Prestia.
Such a wonderful bass player! What a good choice for your channel! Dig in on some Atheist! Gone way too soon, would have been great to have much more music from such an amazing bass.player!
Super cool. Fantastic band. Fantastic musicians. One of those bands many people havent heard of where it's a crying shame they haven't. Metal is a genre full of fantastic musicians who just want you to enjoy their music. They don't demand your respect.
Almost reminds of of Ryan Martinie lines and tone I learned about Sean from OSI Kevin Moores band after DT he is just amazing!! And he’s just playing a Ibanez here not a 10k$ bass you don’t need that to play like this RIP Sean,What a genius player!
Dude, listen to 'Kindly Bent To Free Us' (a later era Cynic track). The way the bass and drums work together is amazing. As a bass player for 30+ years the entire second half of that song is auditory bliss.
The index finger thing is for muscle memory and is specifically useful for fretless bass. I started on fretted bass and moved to guitar after about a year. One of my bassists played a fretless Guild and let me play it a lot. We were roommates at that time so I got fairly good on it and that index finger thing honestly just came naturally at some point. You line up with the dots on the neck and... Oh and also, Cynic is one of my favorites. Focus was a mind blowing album that I first heard around 93sh. It influenced my playing quite a lot. In fact, my real name isn't Cyn Hicks.... 😉 Been using it for many many years along with another that literally used the word Cynic. 😅
I think the big difference with vibrato on a fretless versus a fretted instrument is that on a fretless instrument it can go both above and below the basic note, really centring on the ideal pitch. But on a fretted instrument you can only go sharp, so on a fretted instrument it's ever so slightly going to give a sense of being out of tune, (unless you're putting vibrato an already bent note which is perhaps one reason vibrato on bent notes on guitars is such an important sound).
If Alex Lifeson is lucky to have Geddy Lee and Neil Peart as bandmates, Paul Masvidal is lucky to have 2 Seans as bandmates. Sean Malone inspired me for playing fretless bass that I have it in my 5th album.
As a guitarist myself: do bass players use gain / have gain on tap and if so do you reckon Sean Malone must have used it aplenty to play those notes so clearly with such a light touch? There's also something to be said about how he makes his bass part look soooo easy. I have no doubt that this must be way harder than it looks, especially played on a fretless
Great question! Hard to say anything with certainty for Sean's approach obviously, but I have some experience with that concept. I wouldn't think of "gain" here as an overdrive channel obviously, but I personally always push the input gain pretty high, and adjust master / output gain to my desired overall volume. I can then pluck lighter, use less energy to be heard, and when I WANT to add louder notes, it's much easier. It contextualizes your dynamics a lot better. So, in a way, the answer is yes here! You can also get away with insanely low action on a fretless, which makes it a lot easier to play as far as string tension / action height (less effort when pushing down a string). It all contributes to why his playing looks so effortless.
Both are phenomenal players that I need to cover ASAP! Trying to think of which for TesseracT…I didn’t really listen much after Polaris - life got busy!
@@LowEndUniversity I get it! Amos has a cool play through of king (not the strongest song on the album, imo, but such calm and collected playing) or Juno (although the bass is a bit lower in the mix for some reason. I also admire his ability to play what’s needed. Sometimes being the bridge between drum rhythm with the melody, simply adding to the sonic range of the song, ripping some sick polyrhythms, or just being silent. Thanks for your videos and sharing your knowledge and experience 🙏
Yo, are you a Karnivool fan? Would love some breakdown of Jon Stockman's playing and tone, one of the best prog players out there for sure. Deadman is a personal favorite if you're looking for a recommendation.
Thanks Jordan! Added to my list! I remember spinning Sound Awake a good bit when it came out, but it’s been quite a long time. I remember some acoustic type of video where Jon played a Warwick Thumb, and really digging the whole vibe. I need to revisit them!
Amazing, and - again - awesome to see you analyse his technique. As a non-musician, though, I do have to ask - doesn't watching yourself play in the mirror cause any confusion? If you get a chance, I'd love to see you check out Miyu from ASTERISM playing his 7 string bass. Their "ASTERISM - Church (Live in Studio)" video would be my recommendation. And I should mention that he was only 19 when that performance was recorded . . . Cheers!
You should really take some time and dig into Focus. It's about as close as you'll ever get to a perfect album. It's only 35 minutes or so long but every note and every song are perfectly placed and the entire album just flows seamlessly from end to end. Also the production level for the time is off the charts good.
I would recommend checking out Robin Zielhorst. If you don't know him, he played for Cynic on the Traced in Air tour. He was in Exivious which is a fusion/metal project, and is in Our Oceans which is gorgeous math-rock/prog loveliness. Tymon Krudeiner also played in both bands and was a touring guitarist with Cynic. Would recommend the "Deeply Woven" by Exivious bass playthrough. ruclips.net/video/20cyF3mHoi4/видео.html
Oh my GOD, I’ve screwed up 😭 I completely forgot that was Robin playing bass when I saw them. Brandon Giffin played later on. Robin is actually a pal I got to know over the years, but I connected with him much later after Brandon was playing with them. Bah!! Thank you for the correction. Exivious are fantastic and I remember really spinning their music years ago. I’ll have to add this to my list! 🙏🏼
@@LowEndUniversity Robin is a beast and a lovely lovey guy. He’s just joined a project with Bart Hennephof of Textures called “Amend”. Nothing written yet but I adore Textures so looking forward to that. Loving this channel too. Thank you for the videos. Also, on a completely non-metal note, do you know of the late great Mark Sandman of Morphine? If you don’t then that would be an amazing reaction video.
@@LowEndUniversity you won’t have seen anyone like Mark Sandman of Morphine. He plays a 2 string bass with a slide. If you’ve ever noticed that Les Claypool has a mic with “sandman” written on it, that’s in tribute to Mark Sandman of Morphine, who is sadly no longer with us.
I've been wracking my brain silly trying to nail this bass tone on my fretless. I can barely even get close. It's made me realize 95% of his tone is in his fingers. I miss this fellow. PS. I have all the gear and have been mixing for 35 years. My ears suck with getting this sound.
Also, fun fact: I asked Sean a question on his site many years ago, and he sent me, via email, a video he made to explain his right hand technique. Blew my mind. Legend.
so interesting! Would you share this video for everyone to learn and enjoy?
@@tignytigny I agree wholeheartedly! Please share this video of Master Sean with us!🙏💔
Thanks for making this. I was Sean's student and asked so many questions about the bass lines on Focus. The "Jaco" line you refer to is indeed a direct reference to Jaco Pastorius. Also, in regards to his technique, more specifically his left hand, he was very adamant on fretting directly with his finger tips.
Wow, i have been watching your covers for years now and had no idea you were Sean's student.
@@alexderlago dude, your playstyle is so similar to Sean's, now I know why. I'm glad you posted videos on Sean's techniques as well. Thank you for everything you do.
Where did you take lessons? I have sooooo many questions lol.
@@claytonlh ask away
Funny story, @alexderlago - Cynic popped up on my last.fm metal playlist back in like 2008 and it blew my mind, Trace in Air album. Was a normie metal bass player before that but hearing that album sent me down a different path. Looked up who this guy was and how he got his sound. When I found out he played the Gary Willis Signature bass on that album I had to look up who Gary was; now one of Gary's students.
Anybody interested in hearing more Sean Malone should check out the two albums he released under the name Gordian Knot. I can appreciate Cynic, but Gordian Knot is the Sean Malone music that really blows me away.
RIP Sean Reinhart.
Gordon’s Knots first album…one of the greatest albums of all time. Absolutely phenomenal. Instrumentals that tug at your heart strings. Definitely in my top 3 of desert island albums.
Malone also knocked out some amazing bass lines on the first Aghora album that Reinert also played on. It took a lot of hunting down a copy but it's a great album with a lot of eastern influences.
There is some heavy Gary Willis influence on that Aghora album! Like palm muted bass section in 'Mind's Reality'.
Especially rivers dancing
Him and Reinert were just miles beyond everyone else on their respective instruments. Even 30 years later I am in absolute awe of their technique and feel.
That’s actually a phenomenal point - in a genre based on technicality and precision, those guys injected an incredibly strong feel and fluidity into the music. I couldn’t agree more. A real chemistry for a rhythm section: not just a drummer and a bassist playing rhythms in sync, but the stylistic choices in how they presented it.
Extraordinary bassist. Back in 1993/94, i have corresponded with him by postal letter. I sent a stamped letter to Cynic (kind of fan club) address, and as he was studying french, he answered me in french ! (i'm french and bass player). Very good memories ! Cynic's Focus is one of the most important album in tech/prog metal history. Very sad him and Sean Reinert (another Amazing musician) passed away....great video.
Edit: he sent me its personnel demo on cassette on side 1 (with the Cynic demo of 1991 on side 2 !)
I love when you guys have cool stories like this. Thank you so much for sharing. Appreciate you stopping by!
isn't it so cool to know that one of these legends just read a letter from some one they never knew, took the time to write them back, put something like a tape in, went to their postal office and sent it to you, on their cost.
And now they are on tour together. Going to see both bands in Austin in just a couple of weeks.
Punaise c’est magnifique 🥹
I had the honour to consider Sean was a great friend of mine (let alone a hero/inspiration). Although living 9000 miles apart, we'd chat every day online, on the phone, it was during the Gordian Knot 1-2/Aghora era.... I helped him with completing his collection of Douglas Hofstadter GEB books in all translated languages and even procuring some rare Goldberg Variations by Gould that he was raving on about so much 😂 He was adamant in supporting me moving to Oregon and study music/guitar at the college/Uni he was teaching back then.He was a certified genius. And had such sensitivity, which always translated into his phrasing and melodic choices. That has always been my fave thing of Sean's playing: his melodic lyricism. There are tons of great bass players out there, Sean's technique is indeed flawless and second to none, BUT man, the notes and phrases that Malone hit, composed and improvised were just preternatural. Perfect. I'll never forgive myself for gradually losing touch with him through the years. He's deeply, sorely missed.
Over 30 years later and this album still gives me the chills. Great review.
His bass solo on textures is jazz asf. That entire album is both a study in music and a spiritual journey
Sean was bass genius, no other comments required
In 1993, no one in a metal band could conceive of bass playing as intricate as Sean Malone's performance on Focus. He worked for Morrisound studios and Cynic recruited him after losing their previous bassist (the amazing Tony Choy). It was serendipitous in the sense that Cynic were increasingly going in a jazz/fusion direction when Malone came along and added that Jaco-infused touch. I don't think I would change a single note on the album. It is as close to perfect as they come. Almost 30 years later and Focus continues to be my #1 favorite album ever made. RIP to both Seans who left us way too soon. 🍺 GENIUSES. The lot of you! 🙂
I saw them on the Focus tour with Cannibal Corpse back in the day and people had no idea what to make of them. They just stood there and watched. They were truly ahead of their time. Everyone in that band was staggering. Sean really turned me onto fretless.
So deeply saddened by the passing of these two cherished heroes of death metal, these guys changed it all, as a Florida native this band is really close to my heart!
learned so much from this vid and comments!
The thing about "index finger moves _only_ when he needs it to" is related to the fretless-ness of the instrument. Even with fretlines, you do _not_ want to lose the position and keeping one finger at a known position helps quite a bit.
Thanks for this video. Cynic, aghora, gordian knot and cortlandt opened the door of new world for me. Sean's bass line is unrivaled and unique in these albums... RIP
You bet Michal, I appreciate you watching!
Gordian knot had an amazing lineup. Great albums.
Had the pleasure to meet him before the Opeth Cynic gig in Dublin 11/08. Absolute gent.
I was fortunate to see Cynic in 2014 on the first tour when Sean Malone rejoined them on stage. I really feel lucky to have seen him performing with Sean Reinert.
The note Sean Malone wrote about Sean Reinert's passing was extremely telling of their bond, both in the music and outside of the music. Hell of a pair, and two of the best in this genre to ever do it.
When I saw Cynic they had Robin Zielhorst playing bass, another fantastic player. He has a great playthrough of Time and It's Changes from Exivious that would be a good candidate for an analysis video.
Come to think of it, I think you played with him on that tour lol.
Great analysis and you nailed it with pointing out the "Jaco" parts and I am glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. What a revelation Cynic was when Focus came out. I grew up on prog rock and the fusion greats and eventually transitioned into extreme metal. Cynic brought those influences together like no one before them. Thanks and Cheers.
I just went to go see Cynic yesterday and it was amazing Brandon did a great job as always playing the cynic again.
R i p Sean and Sean😢
So good, cynic awezome. 😎🇬🇧
Eargasm, I can't describe it with different words. Fretless, sick tone, sick technic, melodic, complicated rhyms and everything fits together.
For sure. It's just such a thoughtful bass part. The openness of Cynic's songs in some places really let him run the roads along the fretboard. I love how often they contrast everything.
I started listening at Cynic back in 1993 when Focus album came out. I was at High School back then... awesome band ahead of it's time.
thank you for covering this,,, it was a surprise
You're welcome! Working my way down a list! 🙂
That clean sections are so beautiful in this song. The bass makes it so beautiful it can make u cry lol. And the Gordian knot opening track bass line is just ahhhh I love it
Best bassman ever in rock or metal, and that's because he was a true Jazzman. Such a loss. Rip forever
I hope he's well now. Incredible musician.
His efficient style also really helps with his staccato. That index finger never lets any extra noise slip out.
Hi, thank you for your reaction and explainations. I never thought of the Jaco Pastorious but now you said it it is so obvious! Thank you again!
I remember first hearing this album. Upto then i was familiar with pretty standard heavy bass playing but on this album I heard the bass pop out in ways I'd never heard before that at first sounded almost wrong. Such a different sound for me , and exposure to another way of playing. R.i.p sean we won't forget you
The line Sean plays several times and that you try to figure out around 7.50 min reminds me a lot of the second half of the bass line played during the verse of Tower of Power's "What is hip?". Wouldn't surprise me if he snuck a little easter egg in there as a nod to Francis Rocco Prestia.
RIP for both Seans.
How lovely to see some1 else than myself understanding how AMAZING Cynic was !!!
and... both the drums and the guitar are as amazing as the bass... Cynic are SO underrated !!
'
Such a wonderful bass player! What a good choice for your channel! Dig in on some Atheist! Gone way too soon, would have been great to have much more music from such an amazing bass.player!
Great vid, sir. Looking forward to checking out your stuff....
I love listening to this version because of the bass. That tone is so fantastic.
Super cool. Fantastic band. Fantastic musicians. One of those bands many people havent heard of where it's a crying shame they haven't. Metal is a genre full of fantastic musicians who just want you to enjoy their music. They don't demand your respect.
All members of Cynic are masters from another planet. Cynic's Focus is the best record ever!
Almost reminds of of Ryan Martinie lines and tone I learned about Sean from OSI Kevin Moores band after DT he is just amazing!! And he’s just playing a Ibanez here not a 10k$ bass you don’t need that to play like this RIP Sean,What a genius player!
Sean Malone was brilliant and an incredible musician. He is forever remembered by Cynic fans worldwide.
Dude was amazing. Gordian Knot, Cynic, Aghora... he's the standout star. So glad I got to see him and Reinert on the Kindly Bent to Free Us tour.
I love Sean Malone's metallic growly tone
14:15 is the essence of Master Sean Malone's playing and note choice. He makes you go "Mmmm" involuntarily.
Who knew that jazz and death metal could make such a beautiful baby
Always been a fan of cynic but never watched him play, and wow he’s so effortless and efficient in his playing.
Right? It's pretty mesmerizing to watch. Such a huge, effective part of the song, yet looks so effortless.
@@LowEndUniversity it’s beautiful playing, I honestly make a powerchord harder work than he does to play this track 🤣
His playing style reminds me of Doug Keyser’s work with WatchTower.
I love Watchtower too; Control and Resistance album.
Love Sean Malone, love the sound of the fretless bass
saw veil live last night its crazy they can play that stuff live
Nice! I really, really enjoyed them when I saw them. I hadn't heard of them before, and the material from Traced In Air really captivated me.
I got to see Cynic live in 1994, 2015, and hopefully next month. One of a kind band.
I've started watching this guy some...he was a great fretless player
The content is limited, but what IS out there is a joy to watch. Really inspiring to me.
Dude, listen to 'Kindly Bent To Free Us' (a later era Cynic track). The way the bass and drums work together is amazing. As a bass player for 30+ years the entire second half of that song is auditory bliss.
Great reactions
love this video, hope you do it with roger patterson-atheist and ryan martini-mudvayne
Yes, I want one of Roger!!! My favorite bassist ever.
@@evilevie87 Yeah Roger PATTERSON from Atheist is amongst the Malone-Burtonish bass players!
RIP, Sean Malone. Soon I´ll meet you.
Speaking of perfect technique, you need to do one of these on Hadrian Feraud!
Fuck, I forgot about Cynic. These guys really helped push tech death out there.
The index finger thing is for muscle memory and is specifically useful for fretless bass. I started on fretted bass and moved to guitar after about a year. One of my bassists played a fretless Guild and let me play it a lot. We were roommates at that time so I got fairly good on it and that index finger thing honestly just came naturally at some point. You line up with the dots on the neck and...
Oh and also, Cynic is one of my favorites. Focus was a mind blowing album that I first heard around 93sh. It influenced my playing quite a lot. In fact, my real name isn't Cyn Hicks.... 😉 Been using it for many many years along with another that literally used the word Cynic. 😅
RIP Sean Malone
Потрясающий музыкант 🤟
r.i.p. Sean ❤
I think the big difference with vibrato on a fretless versus a fretted instrument is that on a fretless instrument it can go both above and below the basic note, really centring on the ideal pitch. But on a fretted instrument you can only go sharp, so on a fretted instrument it's ever so slightly going to give a sense of being out of tune, (unless you're putting vibrato an already bent note which is perhaps one reason vibrato on bent notes on guitars is such an important sound).
It takes years to get such an accurate, efficient technique.
Lion's Roar has sick bass as well =)
If Alex Lifeson is lucky to have Geddy Lee and Neil Peart as bandmates, Paul Masvidal is lucky to have 2 Seans as bandmates. Sean Malone inspired me for playing fretless bass that I have it in my 5th album.
As a guitarist myself: do bass players use gain / have gain on tap and if so do you reckon Sean Malone must have used it aplenty to play those notes so clearly with such a light touch?
There's also something to be said about how he makes his bass part look soooo easy. I have no doubt that this must be way harder than it looks, especially played on a fretless
Great question! Hard to say anything with certainty for Sean's approach obviously, but I have some experience with that concept. I wouldn't think of "gain" here as an overdrive channel obviously, but I personally always push the input gain pretty high, and adjust master / output gain to my desired overall volume. I can then pluck lighter, use less energy to be heard, and when I WANT to add louder notes, it's much easier. It contextualizes your dynamics a lot better. So, in a way, the answer is yes here!
You can also get away with insanely low action on a fretless, which makes it a lot easier to play as far as string tension / action height (less effort when pushing down a string). It all contributes to why his playing looks so effortless.
Sean really was a unique specimen
Definitely check out Amos of Tesseract or in the nonmetal world, I grew up listening to Michael Manring. He’s in the fingerstyle guitar world.
Both are phenomenal players that I need to cover ASAP! Trying to think of which for TesseracT…I didn’t really listen much after Polaris - life got busy!
@@LowEndUniversity I get it! Amos has a cool play through of king (not the strongest song on the album, imo, but such calm and collected playing) or Juno (although the bass is a bit lower in the mix for some reason.
I also admire his ability to play what’s needed. Sometimes being the bridge between drum rhythm with the melody, simply adding to the sonic range of the song, ripping some sick polyrhythms, or just being silent.
Thanks for your videos and sharing your knowledge and experience 🙏
I'm hearing more of a Gary Willis approach with the no wasted motion.
Give a listen to Cortland. WOW! RIP, Sean.
RIP Kings
Yo, are you a Karnivool fan? Would love some breakdown of Jon Stockman's playing and tone, one of the best prog players out there for sure. Deadman is a personal favorite if you're looking for a recommendation.
Thanks Jordan! Added to my list! I remember spinning Sound Awake a good bit when it came out, but it’s been quite a long time. I remember some acoustic type of video where Jon played a Warwick Thumb, and really digging the whole vibe. I need to revisit them!
@@LowEndUniversity 100% he’s got a very aggressive style of playing which adds a cool effect to the ethereal vocals and guitar stuff that they do.
Sean Malone R-I-P
Amazing, and - again - awesome to see you analyse his technique. As a non-musician, though, I do have to ask - doesn't watching yourself play in the mirror cause any confusion?
If you get a chance, I'd love to see you check out Miyu from ASTERISM playing his 7 string bass. Their "ASTERISM - Church (Live in Studio)" video would be my recommendation. And I should mention that he was only 19 when that performance was recorded . . . Cheers!
Do you get confused looking at yourself in the mirror?
One of the most distinct bass playing in progressive death metal.
You should really take some time and dig into Focus. It's about as close as you'll ever get to a perfect album. It's only 35 minutes or so long but every note and every song are perfectly placed and the entire album just flows seamlessly from end to end. Also the production level for the time is off the charts good.
I really do!! Gotta give it a few full spins soon in the car 😎
@@LowEndUniversity They just released Re-Focus and is amazing... i saw them recently on tour, it was perfect
I would recommend checking out Robin Zielhorst. If you don't know him, he played for Cynic on the Traced in Air tour. He was in Exivious which is a fusion/metal project, and is in Our Oceans which is gorgeous math-rock/prog loveliness. Tymon Krudeiner also played in both bands and was a touring guitarist with Cynic.
Would recommend the "Deeply Woven" by Exivious bass playthrough.
ruclips.net/video/20cyF3mHoi4/видео.html
Oh my GOD, I’ve screwed up 😭 I completely forgot that was Robin playing bass when I saw them. Brandon Giffin played later on. Robin is actually a pal I got to know over the years, but I connected with him much later after Brandon was playing with them. Bah!! Thank you for the correction. Exivious are fantastic and I remember really spinning their music years ago. I’ll have to add this to my list! 🙏🏼
@@LowEndUniversity Robin is a beast and a lovely lovey guy. He’s just joined a project with Bart Hennephof of Textures called “Amend”. Nothing written yet but I adore Textures so looking forward to that.
Loving this channel too. Thank you for the videos.
Also, on a completely non-metal note, do you know of the late great Mark Sandman of Morphine? If you don’t then that would be an amazing reaction video.
I don't think I've heard of Morphine! I'll check it out!
@@LowEndUniversity you won’t have seen anyone like Mark Sandman of Morphine. He plays a 2 string bass with a slide.
If you’ve ever noticed that Les Claypool has a mic with “sandman” written on it, that’s in tribute to Mark Sandman of Morphine, who is sadly no longer with us.
If "older" stuff what abuot "Jeff Hughell New Reciprocal song!!" video ? Or "Bass shredding and Head shaving!!!!! Reciprocal style" video? Enjoy!
I've been wracking my brain silly trying to nail this bass tone on my fretless. I can barely even get close. It's made me realize 95% of his tone is in his fingers. I miss this fellow. PS. I have all the gear and have been mixing for 35 years. My ears suck with getting this sound.
If you like this kinda stuff, check out the first AGHORA album. Nasty stuff.
Damn. You reacted to this? Focus is the best extreme album of all time.
wow.... didnr know he passed... cant help but think its related to reinert's passing... :(
You're gonna need to do Ryan Martini at some point.....😅
His stuff with Soften the Glare is definitely more approachable for this style of video than watching Mudvayne! But yes!!!! Ryan is amazing
On my list! Any suggestions for a song?? 😎
How about his animated playthrough for "Turn around" with Soften the Glare. ruclips.net/video/hAReGtnFVs0/видео.html
Or you could go a few years older to see him play in "March if the Cepholepods" video non animated. 🤔 ruclips.net/video/IrUQ9wDh2fE/видео.html
@@LowEndUniversity Everyone always talks about Dig, but for me, Nothing To Gein is one of his shining moments.
You can see him live type cynic live, there you go
Rip , Mr Malone.
Reminds me of Ryan Martinie
❤️🔥
Sean Malone courtlant not to mention all of his publications to Jaco
Sean made the bass sing.
Sean Malone - Courante (Bach) , Roadrunner United - Dawn of a Golden Age > ruclips.net/video/j49BPiks51M/видео.html
Apparently he's a fan of Gary Willis
react Alex Webster- Conquering Dystopia "Kufra at Dusk" Playthrough
Do tetrastructural minds by vektor
Straight neck with .38mm relief and low action is the way to go.
.38mm?? Sheesh. What’s the thinking there?