I took lessons with Forest during the pandemic. Here's what i learned. He's an absolute virtuoso. He plays as fast the albums are recorded with ease and can switch techniques on a dime (no camera tricks). He keeps the index finger planted for barring (keeps 4ths in tune on fretless). He makes you practice left hand stretching, think across 6 frets in first position (i think his bass is 35" scale). His practice routine is a serious workout. And he's super nice and not arrogant at all.
Forest is one of those rare virtuosos who knows how to fuse mind-blowing technique and tasteful playing. It’s super technical, but he has memorable phrasing.
He's a really great guy, when they came to Aus I left my wallet on their merch table and he chased me down through the venue to give it back to me. Had a great chat with him after that.
This song was one of the first steps towards me loving death metal and fretless bass in it. And I love that you mentioned this song has an "anthem" feel to it. Even though its so fast and intense, there's a recurring melody. And its something I found myself humming in the shower and while I'm doing the dishes like I'm singing a familiar folk song. Its so nice to see someone else able to appreciate and validate how amazed I was by it a decade ago (fuck, I'm old lol). Thank you for your analysis and your channel, its been a huge help in motivating myself to start playing bass again.
I very distinctly remember seeing the music video for this when it was still relatively new, and spent the entire time just in awe of Forest the whole time. That entire album is loaded with insane bass playing.
If you ever do something from Forest again you've gotta do First Fragment - La Veuve & Le Martyr, that song is from the album they recorded after he joined and it really shows off his range, pretty much every technique under the sun.
This band is so underrated...those guys are amazing musicians. That's actually is probably the best bass I've heard in band. I mean the bass lanes are amazing 👏
It was so cool seeing him play live with first fragment for there first time in the us, an unreal experience having my face melted by his amazing tone. He uses a custom made bondinstruments bass
His plucking hand reminds of a finger style guitarist and the sweeps oh my geez are they're good. Danny Hauser of Veil of Maya has a similar sweeping style on a 7 string bass
Yeah, that's how I stumbled across them. They opened for Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death in Vancouver. First listen was live, and I was super impressed.
You didn't butcher his name. He's a Dutch player and you're correct: He's "Mr. Tone." Plays a five sting fretless and sounds great! He hates to tour, though, which was why he parted ways with Obscura.
Earthbound Evolution was one of the songs that really got me into death metal thanks to Forrest's part . Super sick. Saw Beyond Creation about 3 years ago but they had a new bassist. They refused to play that song. Still solid* all around though.
Although I've watched this numerous times when it was released, I stopped chewing my food numerous times while watching it tonight. The word "master" also jumped to mind just before you uttered it for the bridge/neck transition moves. I absolutely love the solo on this one. In my not so humble opinion, this is the best fretless bass performance you'll ever get to witness.
He is the reason I decided to build fretless basses. I saw this dude produce this sound and that was it. Also, he looks like an animatronic when he plays.
im a canadian metal drummer ive followed and also been privileged to share a stage with him opening for him when in quo vadis yrs ago the mans brilliant his composition and technique made me pick up bass too, cool you honed in on that bit about plucking at different pickups pushing different tines etc interesting.
Thanks mark!! Been telling SBL they need to get you on! You deserve the luv! And they posted a short of you today, hopefully they will invite you to be on the SBL podcast soon!
8:08 Us fretless players go up near the neck to get more "Muah," etc. when desired. And yes, it usually coincides with the desire to change timbre during a particular section.
Muting while sweeping on bass is so hard. I got some exercises from Dominic and watched your video about it. It made me realize that it was the perfect technique for a difficult passage in one of my band's song. But I have to admit that I am using a fret wrap for now, I don't know when I will be able to do it without "cheating".
Great video. Again. And not sure if it's been said, but Augury, can't forget one of Forest's original bands. Such a gem, and an icon in the Montreal Tech Death scene; First Fragment, Beyond Creation et al wouldn't have the sound they had if not for them.
The reason for the switching from neck to bridge is tension but probably not just for tone. When we play different styles especially going into heavier music and doing sideways picking hand type of picking higher tension is better than on an upward or backwards sweeping pick motion with your fingers. The difference intentions when picking the strings in different ways or configurations sometimes is not only about tone but efficiency of playing. I have an interesting finger-picking style that I've developed over thirty-seven years of playing. (Maybe I should say 30 I did quit for about five to seven years when I was raising my kids)
Another thing I notice is how most tapping is done by either floating the tapping hand or resting the thumb on the top of the fetboard but he doesn't do that: he actually places his thumb *behind the fretboard* which is probably why he can do so much extensive tapping so cleanly: he's got more leverage and more precision, which is probably something you really want if you try tapping notes on a fretless you're not going to be able to 'guess' the exact right intonation otherwise. Normally the switch in techniques would be quite a bit if he was plucking as any other bass player does but by having his hand in a more classical guitar position he can reach behind the neck to tap way more smoothly. He obviously thought about this plucking technique a lot and it seems to work pretty smoothly which well, kinda goes without saying when you constantly play so much crazy stuff.
The ghost castle on Super Mario Bros. 3 was the first time I heard fretless bass. I never knew it would work for metal until I heard this album back in 2012. "Social Disability" has the greatest breakdown I've ever heard, and the bass really makes it in my opinion. First Fragment is just next level, but for me this album takes the cake as an all-time great.
Finally, BC :) This is my one of two favourite songs (the second one is "earthborn evolution"). I was shocked when I saw it's possible to shred on fretless BASS guitar and play one big solo for the whole song :o Composition of solo section is also interesing - everyone has their own time to play sth. Dominic is a monster... I also, prefer BC over First Fragment, because is more melodic and less technical (still impossible to play for most ppl). I use 6-string bass - for me it's natural to use "bunny hooping" to mute strings. It's hard to keep them muted in any other way (I also use hand to mute lower strings when I play higher). Personally, I also prefer to use my index (sometimes middle) and pinky fingers to "catch" octaves. It's easier to play clean on fretless. Very good catch related to muting strings during tapping, I haven't seen that before!
For me Dom is special in our extreme world, organic, free... I changed to bass after 15 years playing guitar ❤ many interesting proyects in difrent ways. Check the intro bass solo from" In'El - First Fragment " That stuff is joy form the gods ❤🎉
I've been room mate with Forest, and i've been doing live sound for pretty much all his bands. I have to say that i don't know anyone as dedicated to the music as him. You should check out the album Gloire Éternelle by First Fragment.
I see some Ryan Martinie in his playing he’s such a beast!! Best fretless 😊 just so beautiful sounding!! His phrasing is top tier!! This whole album is a bass masterpiece!! Highly recommended it!!
Have you ever considered trying to contact him and do an interview for your channel? I've played a handful of with him over the years, and he's a pretty modest and humble guy. They are custom basses from Montreal (I think) called Bond Instruments.
One of the most freakishly talented humans on the planet. But no one’s ever heard of him cuz he plays metal. Damned shame. His work should be studied at universities across the globe.
I know this is an old video, but his bass in Simian Cattle by Augury is in my opinion the best fretless metal bass line out there. Highly recommend you give that one a go!
And those small adjusments on fretless for intonation are different on every single bass. You not only habe to master the nuances of fretless, but you have to learn how your bass. reacts. Fretless is such a challenge to be even 5% as talented forest. You should already be extremely comfortable with theory before picking one up. They are so beautiful. Especially fretless piccolo
I started playing bass to tunes like Good Times by Chic or Any Micheal Jackson which required me to use the one finger per fret, fretting technique. So my pinky was and still is used much more than my index. I have more dexterity and control in my pinky than I do my index
I probably like Steve DiGiorgio better if only because I've been listening to him for years and years, but Forest is a short breath behind him! We're talking two generations of freaky incredible fretless players! This guy is an absolute BEAST!!!!! I couldn't carry his jock strap! I've been following his work for years, as well. BTW, he got his nickname "Forest" because he comes from a small town called "Forestville" in northern Quebec.
+1 for Karnivool. There are videos of John Stockman explaining how he uses his pedals on the bass not only to shape his tone, but also from a composition standpoint. That blew my mind.
The lyrical basslines are Beyond Creation's thing. The current bassist, Hugo Doyon-Karout, continues this tradition, although it doesn't stand out quite as much due to their last album being mellower than the previous two
There are only 3 death-metal bassists, who really know their stuff around fretless bass: - Steve DiGiorgio - Dominic LaPointe - Jeroen Paul Thesseling Legends.
I took lessons with Forest during the pandemic. Here's what i learned. He's an absolute virtuoso. He plays as fast the albums are recorded with ease and can switch techniques on a dime (no camera tricks). He keeps the index finger planted for barring (keeps 4ths in tune on fretless). He makes you practice left hand stretching, think across 6 frets in first position (i think his bass is 35" scale). His practice routine is a serious workout. And he's super nice and not arrogant at all.
Dude that’s so bad ass!! Where was that at? Like what state? And where did you guys meet up at? What a Gem of a man to take lessons with 🙏🤘😎
@@bassimprovjams3772 online during the pandemic
@bassimprovjams3772 most likely province, not state. Forrest from Quebec
Legend
@bassimprovjams3772 Could be online lessons via zoom, or similar.
Forest is one of those rare virtuosos who knows how to fuse mind-blowing technique and tasteful playing. It’s super technical, but he has memorable phrasing.
yup. all the while making it seem like he's not actually playing.
He's a really great guy, when they came to Aus I left my wallet on their merch table and he chased me down through the venue to give it back to me. Had a great chat with him after that.
Wow. Standup guy! Super cool of him.
That fretless sound is just so haunting..
Right?! 🦇
So much better than "a bunch of clanking" you usually just hear in the background in a lot of Tech Death.
@@Lupine. yeah tech death is amazing on guitars and drums but the bass needs a bit more attention IMO
This song was one of the first steps towards me loving death metal and fretless bass in it. And I love that you mentioned this song has an "anthem" feel to it. Even though its so fast and intense, there's a recurring melody. And its something I found myself humming in the shower and while I'm doing the dishes like I'm singing a familiar folk song. Its so nice to see someone else able to appreciate and validate how amazed I was by it a decade ago (fuck, I'm old lol). Thank you for your analysis and your channel, its been a huge help in motivating myself to start playing bass again.
I very distinctly remember seeing the music video for this when it was still relatively new, and spent the entire time just in awe of Forest the whole time. That entire album is loaded with insane bass playing.
It’s absolutely amazing and beautiful!! Just jaw dropping basslines the entire time!
The bass on the next album, earthborn evolution is even better man forest is a beast.
If you ever do something from Forest again you've gotta do First Fragment - La Veuve & Le Martyr, that song is from the album they recorded after he joined and it really shows off his range, pretty much every technique under the sun.
all the bass solos there are written by Phil. Dominic only arranged them.
Beyond creation was actually written by forest though. He didn't write first fragment stuff
This band is so underrated...those guys are amazing musicians. That's actually is probably the best bass I've heard in band. I mean the bass lanes are amazing 👏
It was so cool seeing him play live with first fragment for there first time in the us, an unreal experience having my face melted by his amazing tone. He uses a custom made bondinstruments bass
That combo thumb/middle finger sweeping technique ~1:29 melted my mind, majestically...
Watching your sweeping vid, I guess it's not really a combo...
hell yeah. any and all Forest videos are 10/10
I love Forest . I immediately bought a 6 string Fretless after hearing him. Between Forest,Ryan Martinie,Steve Digiorgio these guys are my heroes.
Steve is a beast. Love his work on the Death albums and with Testament.
His plucking hand reminds of a finger style guitarist and the sweeps oh my geez are they're good. Danny Hauser of Veil of Maya has a similar sweeping style on a 7 string bass
I happened to see the video for this song on TV. I had no experience with this style of music but the bass line absolutely fascinated me.
Saw Beyond Creation once upon a time and they are the real deal. Solid live
Yeah, that's how I stumbled across them. They opened for Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death in Vancouver. First listen was live, and I was super impressed.
This is one of my favourite songs. Thanks for reaction Video
Can we get some Jeroen Paul Thesseling (and I probably butchered his name) because his work in microtonality is so interesting to me!
I agree. It was my introduction to fretless, the obscura album Cosmogenesis is a beast
Got a link for a video there?
ua-cam.com/video/snDfSqcPHWk/v-deo.html@@johangericke1492 -
You didn't butcher his name. He's a Dutch player and you're correct: He's "Mr. Tone." Plays a five sting fretless and sounds great! He hates to tour, though, which was why he parted ways with Obscura.
@@youthiswastedontheyoung
Ive seen him with a seven string fretless before
Earthbound Evolution was one of the songs that really got me into death metal thanks to Forrest's part . Super sick. Saw Beyond Creation about 3 years ago but they had a new bassist. They refused to play that song. Still solid* all around though.
My favorite bass player, got a fretless bass because of him 10 years ago or so. Fretless sounds so good in death metal.
Gnarly as hell tone from that fretless
Although I've watched this numerous times when it was released, I stopped chewing my food numerous times while watching it tonight. The word "master" also jumped to mind just before you uttered it for the bridge/neck transition moves. I absolutely love the solo on this one. In my not so humble opinion, this is the best fretless bass performance you'll ever get to witness.
Thank you for this amazing channel 🤘
He is the reason I decided to build fretless basses. I saw this dude produce this sound and that was it.
Also, he looks like an animatronic when he plays.
He looks human still...
Forest has motivated me to start learning to play bass love this band so much
You should!
im a canadian metal drummer ive followed and also been privileged to share a stage with him opening for him when in quo vadis yrs ago the mans brilliant his composition and technique made me pick up bass too, cool you honed in on that bit about plucking at different pickups pushing different tines etc interesting.
Forest is one of my all time best bassists ever ♡♡♡♡
Thanks mark!! Been telling SBL they need to get you on! You deserve the luv! And they posted a short of you today, hopefully they will invite you to be on the SBL podcast soon!
8:08 Us fretless players go up near the neck to get more "Muah," etc. when desired.
And yes, it usually coincides with the desire to change timbre during a particular section.
Can’t say enough about Forest. Dude is constantly blowing my mind
Respect points earned talking about Forrest.
Awesome reaction and break down of this beast. I’d love to further my bass playing under you
If your ever in Philly and wanna jam sayyyy the word lol. Got a little studio with the set up !
Muting while sweeping on bass is so hard. I got some exercises from Dominic and watched your video about it. It made me realize that it was the perfect technique for a difficult passage in one of my band's song. But I have to admit that I am using a fret wrap for now, I don't know when I will be able to do it without "cheating".
using a fretwrap isn't cheating.
@@x3-LSTR-512 no but in this case it’s to compensate for my lack of muting skills while sweeping
Most underrated band. The amount of talent in beyomd creation is just mindblowing
It's like watching Marty Friedman on guitar 😁 I love Forest's work and he'll forever be a great influence of mine 🎉
Earth born evolution by Beyond Creation is a banger on all instruments too!
I like moving back and forth between the pickups/neck like that because the higher notes get fuller when played/plucked closer to the neck.
more beyond creation please!!😅
One of my coolest guys ever.
He is in First Fragment now, and everyone in that band is amazingly skilled and amazingly cool. Go see them!!!
as an amateur bass player, i entirely blame Dominic for me falling in love with fretless bass
Great video. Again. And not sure if it's been said, but Augury, can't forget one of Forest's original bands. Such a gem, and an icon in the Montreal Tech Death scene; First Fragment, Beyond Creation et al wouldn't have the sound they had if not for them.
The reason for the switching from neck to bridge is tension but probably not just for tone. When we play different styles especially going into heavier music and doing sideways picking hand type of picking higher tension is better than on an upward or backwards sweeping pick motion with your fingers. The difference intentions when picking the strings in different ways or configurations sometimes is not only about tone but efficiency of playing. I have an interesting finger-picking style that I've developed over thirty-seven years of playing. (Maybe I should say 30 I did quit for about five to seven years when I was raising my kids)
Kind of a Gary Willis right hand technique.
Very sweet! Love the fretless with metal!
Another thing I notice is how most tapping is done by either floating the tapping hand or resting the thumb on the top of the fetboard but he doesn't do that: he actually places his thumb *behind the fretboard* which is probably why he can do so much extensive tapping so cleanly: he's got more leverage and more precision, which is probably something you really want if you try tapping notes on a fretless you're not going to be able to 'guess' the exact right intonation otherwise. Normally the switch in techniques would be quite a bit if he was plucking as any other bass player does but by having his hand in a more classical guitar position he can reach behind the neck to tap way more smoothly.
He obviously thought about this plucking technique a lot and it seems to work pretty smoothly which well, kinda goes without saying when you constantly play so much crazy stuff.
The ghost castle on Super Mario Bros. 3 was the first time I heard fretless bass. I never knew it would work for metal until I heard this album back in 2012. "Social Disability" has the greatest breakdown I've ever heard, and the bass really makes it in my opinion. First Fragment is just next level, but for me this album takes the cake as an all-time great.
jupp! He rule above others!! He has a feel to the tone thats one of a kind!!
Finally, BC :)
This is my one of two favourite songs (the second one is "earthborn evolution"). I was shocked when I saw it's possible to shred on fretless BASS guitar and play one big solo for the whole song :o Composition of solo section is also interesing - everyone has their own time to play sth.
Dominic is a monster...
I also, prefer BC over First Fragment, because is more melodic and less technical (still impossible to play for most ppl).
I use 6-string bass - for me it's natural to use "bunny hooping" to mute strings. It's hard to keep them muted in any other way (I also use hand to mute lower strings when I play higher).
Personally, I also prefer to use my index (sometimes middle) and pinky fingers to "catch" octaves. It's easier to play clean on fretless.
Very good catch related to muting strings during tapping, I haven't seen that before!
There are 3 playthrough videos Forest did from their most recent album that you should cover here. He constantly impresses me and blows my mind.
Forest also play in a band name Augury. Check out their track Simian Cattle. Great bass work
Even Jared Smith said that Dominic was a player who showed him the possibilities of bass
For me Dom is special in our extreme world, organic, free... I changed to bass after 15 years playing guitar ❤ many interesting proyects in difrent ways. Check the intro bass solo from" In'El - First Fragment " That stuff is joy form the gods ❤🎉
I've been room mate with Forest, and i've been doing live sound for pretty much all his bands.
I have to say that i don't know anyone as dedicated to the music as him.
You should check out the album Gloire Éternelle
by First Fragment.
Forest la machine.Super humble et ben gentil ce gars là 🤘🏻
thsnk you...hes brilliant .
I see some Ryan Martinie in his playing he’s such a beast!! Best fretless 😊 just so beautiful sounding!! His phrasing is top tier!! This whole album is a bass masterpiece!! Highly recommended it!!
Have you ever considered trying to contact him and do an interview for your channel? I've played a handful of with him over the years, and he's a pretty modest and humble guy.
They are custom basses from Montreal (I think) called Bond Instruments.
I plan to do interviews in the future - a few things lined up.......😇
@@LowEndUniversity well, that is just pure rad. I look forward to them.
His stuff in Augury is my favorite. Everyone in that band is an alien wizard of technical progressive death metal.
One of the most freakishly talented humans on the planet. But no one’s ever heard of him cuz he plays metal. Damned shame. His work should be studied at universities across the globe.
Is he using some kind of chorus pedal with it? Sounds super cool.
He’s gotta be using something! My Drummer asked me that same question and you really hear it and that very last “muah” of his solo just so brutal!
Joe Lester of Intronaut plays
Australopithecus solo on EMGtv
Have we done this one already?
I know this is an old video, but his bass in Simian Cattle by Augury is in my opinion the best fretless metal bass line out there. Highly recommend you give that one a go!
And those small adjusments on fretless for intonation are different on every single bass. You not only habe to master the nuances of fretless, but you have to learn how your bass. reacts. Fretless is such a challenge to be even 5% as talented forest. You should already be extremely comfortable with theory before picking one up. They are so beautiful. Especially fretless piccolo
Those two records with Forest Lapointe, Earthborn Evolution and The Aura, are no-skips for me. Complete listen throughs.
Please man, also check their current bass player from BC, good ol’ Hugo
I started playing bass to tunes like Good Times by Chic or Any Micheal Jackson which required me to use the one finger per fret, fretting technique. So my pinky was and still is used much more than my index. I have more dexterity and control in my pinky than I do my index
I probably like Steve DiGiorgio better if only because I've been listening to him for years and years, but Forest is a short breath behind him! We're talking two generations of freaky incredible fretless players! This guy is an absolute BEAST!!!!! I couldn't carry his jock strap! I've been following his work for years, as well. BTW, he got his nickname "Forest" because he comes from a small town called "Forestville" in northern Quebec.
You've got to do the band Karnivool it has a six string bass player
+1 for Karnivool. There are videos of John Stockman explaining how he uses his pedals on the bass not only to shape his tone, but also from a composition standpoint. That blew my mind.
Definitely take a look at primus playing live at Woodstock 94 especially those damned blue collar tweakers where Les Claypool channels Jimi Hendrix
Last I saw, he's still giving lessons.
Also if you haven't done any Watchtower songs yet - there's some monster bass action there.
The lyrical basslines are Beyond Creation's thing. The current bassist, Hugo Doyon-Karout, continues this tradition, although it doesn't stand out quite as much due to their last album being mellower than the previous two
Check out Forest with Beyond Creation on Earthborn Evolution
Interesting technique, you say? Have you reacted to Remco's Groove Lab on the channel? That guy has interesting technique.
I'd love to see some Trevor Dunn analysis! Mr bungle has many tangy bass bites per track. Ie: dead goon
Suggest you some artists that will surprise you : Jaron Evil, Jeroen Paul, Stephen Fimmers, Scott Plummer, Mike Flores,...
one of the greats in tech esth bass, right behind Tessling.
Jeroen Paul Thesseling from obscura please.
You should cover a Jared Smith video or a Mike Flores video
Kindof reminds me of the bass player in Obscura.
I believe he plays a custom Marleaux bass
Jaco Pastorius on speed lol Perfect!
You should do Equipoise
Check out Inferi’s bass playthrough
Selene by Michael Manring. All bass players as well, check it out.
The whole album is amazing, and tbh they havent been the same since his departure.
Review his playthrough for Pantheum
You should do this song next
DEVILOOF- 流乾 (Bass Plathrouth)
Still hoping for the CHON video, remember Anthony Crawford their studio bassist has uploaded multiple playthroughs to his channel!
dude, Hugo is just as good!!
I was very sad when he left Beyond Creation.
The best death metal bassist in the world.
I got a bass lesson from Forest when he came to my city. Magnificent. I'm already much better.
Dude, I’d love one. I’d love to just soak in his insight and approach.
He is using his index finder as a "bar chord" and mute. Maybe?
Just like Clifford Burton all feeling
Are you planning on reacting to any more Jinjer?
Oh yeah. Very soon!
@@LowEndUniversity Cool thanks!
Check back in the morning!
U must need to check "soif brulante" or "la veuve et le martyr".
Mejor bajista de Death metal progresivo, interpretando el mejor tema de Death metal progressivo, nada puede fallar
There are only 3 death-metal bassists, who really know their stuff around fretless bass:
- Steve DiGiorgio
- Dominic LaPointe
- Jeroen Paul Thesseling
Legends.
Chaoth from unexpect
Usage of both "tone" and "timbre" !?!?!?! Amazing communication, not entirely "guitarmans".
Skills
Teramobil had to be next I guess