Bands with the highest musicianship

A band doesn't need to be filled with virtuosos to be great, but there's definitely an added kick to a band that blows your mind with just how amazingly they can play. For the purposes of this discussion, singers/vocalists are musicians.

For me:

1. Led Zeppelin
Nobody has ever drummed like John Bonham, Robert Plant had one hell of a vocal range with the ability to shriek or sing gently whenever he pleased, and in addition to playing one mean bass John Paul Jones could play basically any instrument at a very high skill level...their recordings abound with his kick-ass playing of keyboards, mandolin, organ, guitar, recorder, etc. Oh, did I forget to mention a man named Jimmy Page? One of the greatest guitar gods ever, with flair, versatility, creative genius, etc. I love listening to this band baked and becoming overwhelmed by four virtuosos creating magic for my ears.

2. Cream
Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker...enough said.

3. Deep Purple
Ritchie Blackmore could pound out riffs and solos with a demonic frenzy, Ian Gillan could really wail, Jon Lord drove it all with some of the meanest keyboards ever played in rock, Roger Glover was a solid bass man, and just listen to Ian Paice's drum solo on "Made in Japan."

4. The Who
My god, that rhythm section!...and Daltrey's voice

Go.

RUSH

Pink Floyd

Def Leppard

Van Halen

Nine Inch Nails(Trent Reznor)

Jonas Bros?lol

should of said rock bands...

As I Lay Dying

Pink Floyd

Dragonforce (dont listen to em though)

Mushroomhead

you obviously never saw Van Halen LIVE ,.... I want my money back, from those drunk bastards :mad:

And you've obviously never seen Dragonforce live. I want MY money back prompto! :thumbsup:

And I'd like to add, since Floyd Zepp and Deep Purple were already mentioned:

Kalmah and Amon Amarth--Viking metal!!
They're both melodic death metal bands, so they may not suit the tastes of any non-vikings, though they're very norse-mythical sounding, so I enjoy them.

Mastodon--my favorite band, progressive/sludge and a whole lotta other stuff, write only concept albums, amazing music and concepts like Melville's Moby Dick...new album coming out 24th of march, more stoner classic rock, can't wait!!

Gojira--been described as a French Mastodon, though sounds completely different...very heavy, interesting music.

Neurosis, Procupine Tree -- probably most people know, I really enjoy them though.

Opeth- a league above all other bands, simply amazing.

ah.... an honorable mention for Protest the Hero, or august burns red? VERY mathematical shit

yes august burns red is very technical and they play their instruments very well




however i am shocked and appalled that no one has mentioned tool.....they are objectively the most talented group of musicians out there

its one thing that their songs all sound amazing when they play together but if you really truly listen deeply to their songs you realize that each individual instrument on its own is brilliant and youd be satisfied just listening to that one instrument by itself....even if maynard sand a capella it would be a mindfuck

they each play their instruments better and more creatively than any bands that have been mentioned or will be mentioned and im sorry thats not my opinion, its just a fact

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stemis516

yes august burns red is very technical and they play their instruments very well




however i am shocked and appalled that no one has mentioned tool.....they are objectively the most talented group of musicians out there

its one thing that their songs all sound amazing when they play together but if you really truly listen deeply to their songs you realize that each individual instrument on its own is brilliant and youd be satisfied just listening to that one instrument by itself....even if maynard sand a capella it would be a mindfuck

they each play their instruments better and more creatively than any bands that have been mentioned or will be mentioned and im sorry thats not my opinion, its just a fact

---

:S2:

You're a funny guy Sully...that's why I'm going to kill you last.

Yea, Tools alright, I forgot to mention them, they're pretty cool; their material gets a bit repetitive and boring though after a while, even when you're baked...or on...some other stuff :D hehe.

For the likes of jazz and metal and everything combining the two, check out these bands because all of them are pretty damn amazing..

First off, check out my good friend's music.

dan k on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Also:
-Cynic
-Scale The Summit
-Exivious
-Textures
-Chon
-Meshuggah

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stemis516

yes august burns red is very technical and they play their instruments very well




however i am shocked and appalled that no one has mentioned tool.....they are objectively the most talented group of musicians out there

its one thing that their songs all sound amazing when they play together but if you really truly listen deeply to their songs you realize that each individual instrument on its own is brilliant and youd be satisfied just listening to that one instrument by itself....even if maynard sand a capella it would be a mindfuck

they each play their instruments better and more creatively than any bands that have been mentioned or will be mentioned and im sorry thats not my opinion, its just a fact

---

Tool has some damn good musicians, but you can't say it's a fact that they're the greatest group of virtuosos in rock history. I would say Led Zeppelin were a band of infitinitely more power and versatility, and I'm sure others would agree. Come on, you're really saying Tool's guitarist is better than Hendrix, Page or Clapton?

me, on rock band 2

Yeah to say TOOL is basically the most technical, bestest band ever is just insanely ignorant. There IS more than is played on your local hard rock radio stations, as some of you know.

Obviously more of the harder stuff is what comes to mind first, and I definitely have to agree that Dragonforce is a freak of nature as a unit.

I'd say that a couple of the *current touring bands* that I'd rank up there are Widespread Panic & Umphrey's McGee. Both bands possess stellar members that know their way around a guitar/keyboard/kit/whatever.

I will say that I don't necessarily think Pink Floyd and its members were all that impressive musically. Innovative, yes. But they really don't compare to the likes of Zeppelin, Frank Zappa & the Mothers, or even Cream or King Crimson when it comes to technical skill.

And is this live rock or album rock? Led Zep was probably the best album rock but they are not really very good live unless Jimmy hires more backup guitarists, because he dubs his albums soooo much to get that marvelous guitar sound he has. Probbaly the best live rock band I've seen is AC/DC but there's is not a real technical arrangements. Pretty easy stuff but sounds amazing. Never cared for live Rush, Moody Blues or Pink Floyd. Again they are just too technical to sound good live but sound great on the album.
I really prefer live artists. Thats where you seperate the men from the boys.
Heart was a great live band.

lol didnt know there were so many tool haters


aight ill leave you clowns alone


led zepplin is oner of the most overrated bands in history if you ask me

I like Tool but not everything. I don't think you judge musicianship with how fast someone plays, live performance, or how long they've been around. What is the best to 1 person might be complete crap to another person. If you youtube LZ you will see they "borrowed" quite a few lyrics and song bits that could be considered unoriginal. I love LZ and they're in my top 10 but I think musical taste/opinion of musicianship is variant upon the individual judging. I mean I could say Tom Petty should be considered. Big fancy fast solos? No but I've never seen a stoned guy write so many consecutively great tunes, to this day. That takes talent. Any NIN album you hear is all Trent Reznor himself except for maybe drums. Musical genius. You have never heard NIN until you listen to The Fragile start to end or the instrumental Ghosts album or the emotional Still album. Def Leppard did harmonies so good and how many people didn't own Hysteria in the 80s? Awesome album. They're often overlooked as just another 80s hair band but I thought the production value of their work was awesome . Rock Brigade, Switch 625, etc etc. Van Halen I actually don't care for but the fact that Eddie taught himself guitar and is as good as he is ("Eruption" anyone?) impresses me.

surprised no 1 said the Beatles, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Zakk Wylde, Metallica, etc All bands in the first post I agree with too, Cream and The Who, legends.

Derek Trucks Band!!!

Together for 15 years.. (he must of started at 10 years old..).

Check him out with the Allman Brothers Band too..

Peace.

Moody Blues, David Gilmour's bands, Peter Gabriel, Jeff Beck (all his bands) ... pure musicianship with all :thumbsup:

weird...right as I was reading this post Moody Blues-Tuesday Afternoon came on my ipod, it's on random. Great choices.:D:stoned:

You guys need to listen to more music. Fuckin' Potheads and their classic rock, get over it. stuck in the past, Listening to classic rock is like flying a confederate flag. You guys make me look bad in public.., cant believe im associated with such ignoranus'. i left this forum for more than a year and nothings changed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metaphor

You guys need to listen to more music. Fuckin' Potheads and their classic rock, get over it. stuck in the past, Listening to classic rock is like flying a confederate flag. You guys make me look bad in public.., cant believe im associated with such ignoranus'. i left this forum for more than a year and nothings changed.

---

Who do you listen to? You hate the forum and yet take time to read and post...lol You give intelligence a bad name. I hope you learn that music is more than the year it came out.:thumbsup::hippy:

The Fall of Troy
Thomas Erak is rediculous with the guitar

Parkway Drive
Hardcore Metal band with a sick rythyms. My fav drummer ive heard so far

Led Zeppelin
I think they are one of the best, but mainly because of their ability to play diversely

TOOL hands down

Maynard has had enormous success with both TOOL and A Perfect Circle, both incredible and original bands

Adam Jones is truly one of the best guitar players of all time, hes so underrated... i love music, and theirs is the music i love the most

also, check out their videos, also hands down, simply the best

JMO

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SeNsEmIlLa

TOOL hands down

Maynard has had enormous success with both TOOL and A Perfect Circle, both incredible and original bands

Adam Jones is truly one of the best guitar players of all time, hes so underrated... i love music, and theirs is the music i love the most

also, check out their videos, also hands down, simply the best

JMO

---

adam jones is more of a creative guitarist than a technical one but both are qualities of musicianship in my opinion

and cmon, danny and justin are easily one of the top 2 or 3 drum/bass combinations that has ever existed both creatively and techincally...some of the timings that they use i cant even tap out on my desk with my hands

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metaphor

You guys need to listen to more music. Fuckin' Potheads and their classic rock, get over it. stuck in the past, Listening to classic rock is like flying a confederate flag. You guys make me look bad in public.., cant believe im associated with such ignoranus'. i left this forum for more than a year and nothings changed.

---

and the funniest part is, you weren't missed, or invited back, anyway :S2:

The Pat Metheny Trio with Pat Metheny, guitar, Christian McBride, bass and Antonio Sanchez, drums. They are virtuosos who play incredibly tight jazz, prog rock, and other types of music. I saw them a year ago in concert at Town Hall, NYC., and one number was very psychedelic - it included special colored lights, and sound effects by Pat Metheny.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FourTwenty4Life

Def Leppard

---

This is unforgiveable

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by the image reaper

and the funniest part is, you weren't missed, or invited back, anyway :S2:

---

Well said. I remember well the pretentious anti-classic rock man who would periodically tell everybody what to listen to. Enjoy your math rock and leave the rest of us in peace.

To whoever said Led Zeppelin wasn't much of a live band...you, sir, have not heard "How the West Was Won." "The Song Remains the Same" was a recording of a couple of off-nights that should never have been released (let alone re-released), but How the West is pure magic. It's not polished and layered like studio Zeppelin, just the four guys doing their thing on a stage.

Alright fellas. you can hate on me for hating on you but two wrong dont make a right. i hope your advanced musical tastes and integrity lead you to an inner peace far greater than i could ever achive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by suhl

This is unforgiveable

---

lol Phil Colleen of DL is phenomenal on guitar and I own his Jackson PC1 guitar. I admit the band doesnt fit but they were better than anything else that spawned in the early/mid 80s. RUSH was the first one to pop in my head though. No one can deny the outstanding high quality musicianship of Alex, Geddy, and Neil. Their song XYZ, especially when live, is one example of their expertise.:hippy:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metaphor

Alright fellas. you can hate on me for hating on you but two wrong dont make a right. i hope your advanced musical tastes and integrity lead you to an inner peace far greater than i could ever achive.

---

I don't consider my tastes to be more advanced than yours, just different. You seem to dislike most of my favourite music, but I'm not going to give you shit and say you give all our kind a bad name and an ignoramus image. I can respect the taste of anyone who listens to music outside the populist trash, which you clearly do, so well done there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FourTwenty4Life

lol Phil Colleen of DL is phenomenal on guitar and I own his Jackson PC1 guitar. I admit the band doesnt fit but they were better than anything else that spawned in the early/mid 80s.

---

Not true. I'd take Van Halen over D.L. any day of the year. Personally Collen is nothing more than a footnote at best as far as great guitarists go. So many other names seem to overshadow his, at least in my mind.

I will agree with you though that Rush is downright sick. YYZ (;)) is a true masterpiece.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Its a Plant

Not true. I'd take Van Halen over D.L. any day of the year. Personally Collen is nothing more than a footnote at best as far as great guitarists go. So many other names seem to overshadow his, at least in my mind.

I will agree with you though that Rush is downright sick. YYZ (;)) is a true masterpiece.

---

I respect Eddie Van Halen because he taught himself guitar however DL had better melodies/more raw rock sound in their pre Hysteria days. "On Through the Night" and "Pyromania" are amazing DL albums if you listen to the songs besides their hits. Live performances lend a different perspective to how well a guitar player is and I've seen DL about 7 times now. You're right though, his name isn't too well known as being in the top 10 guitar players or anything. I love the sustainer/overdrive on the PC1 though.

Blah thanks the for the Rush fix, I type high sometimes :stoned: Rush are one of my favorite bands ever. I've seen them three times and everytime was just one big musical mind fu**. lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FourTwenty4Life

... RUSH was the first one to pop in my head though. No one can deny the outstanding high quality musicianship of Alex, Geddy, and Neil. Their song XYZ, especially when live, is one example of their expertise.:hippy:

---

Yeah, RUSH was the first to pop in my mind, too. I've seen them several time and I'm always blown away. Just how can three dudes put out so much music live. Especially Geddy, playing the bass, singing and playing keyboards with his feet. :smokin:

I saw Eddie and crew last year and thought they still rocked! I was impressed. I've yet to hear anything that tops Eruption and Eddie can still nail it live. :pimp:

Also Robin Trower, one of my fav guitarist and, as mentioned, Jeff Beck are both incredible. And Mark Knophler, too, is one of my all time favorite guitarist and singer and Chris Cornell one of my favorite singers.

yeah, neal peart is fucking god

subdivisions for the win

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat

The Pat Metheny Trio with Pat Metheny, guitar, Christian McBride, bass and Antonio Sanchez, drums. They are virtuosos who play incredibly tight jazz, prog rock, and other types of music. I saw them a year ago in concert at Town Hall, NYC., and one number was very psychedelic - it included special colored lights, and sound effects by Pat Metheny.

---

This is one of the greatest guitarist i have ever heard. What about lamb of god?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FourTwenty4Life

lol Phil Colleen of DL is phenomenal on guitar and I own his Jackson PC1 guitar. I admit the band doesnt fit but they were better than anything else that spawned in the early/mid 80s. RUSH was the first one to pop in my head though. No one can deny the outstanding high quality musicianship of Alex, Geddy, and Neil. Their song XYZ, especially when live, is one example of their expertise.:hippy:

---

I have no complaints with the mention of rush. they are about as tight as a group of musicians can possibly get though i am not a big fan of their music i will never say they aren't insanely talented. i do with def leppard. There was nothing unique about his guitar playing, let alone the band as a whole. they were the same as a lot of the other bullshit that came through the 80s. better than ratt, not even as good as motley crue. there were many functioning bands and guitar players that were better than def leppard.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by suhl

I have no complaints with the mention of rush. they are about as tight as a group of musicians can possibly get though i am not a big fan of their music i will never say they aren't insanely talented. i do with def leppard. There was nothing unique about his guitar playing, let alone the band as a whole. they were the same as a lot of the other bullshit that came through the 80s. better than ratt, not even as good as motley crue. there were many functioning bands and guitar players that were better than def leppard.

---

I guess it depends how you define musicianship. Playing fast doesn't make someone an outstanding musician IMO. Motley Crue's Vince Neil sounds like someone squeezing his balls when he sings. You have to know the songs besides what's played on the radio and also see a band live in concert to get a true taste for their abilities. I was at Cruefest last year and they goofed on a few songs and even had to restart one of them lol, not what I would call musicianship. I already stated DL probably shouldn't be in this list but musicianship taste is individual . I might say Tom Petty belongs here...doesn't have crazy solos but has written catchy song after catchy song and has tons of fans, still sells out when he tours and is a master of hit songs. A lot of great bands listed here so far, keep it up :stoned::hippy: