Bassists lay down the killer low end that puts the "heavy" in our favorite rock and metal songs. We've got a wealth of qualified candidates for the Best Bassist of 2013 honor in the 3rd Annual Loudwire Music Awards and you get to crown the champ.

There's iconic metal vets, familiar bass icons starting new bands and a few up-and-comers who are ready to leave their mark on the music world. Scroll down, check out the nominees for the Bassist of 2013 honor and vote for your favorite at the bottom of the post.

  • Facebook: Suffocation
    Facebook: Suffocation
    loading...

    Derek Boyer

    Suffocation

    Death metal favorites Suffocation returned in a big way with 'Pinnacle of Bedlam.' Bassist Derek Boyer found the pocket with new drummer Dave Culross taking over full-time and their power can be heard on tracks like 'Cycles of Suffering' and the title cut.

  • Ethan Miller, Getty Images
    Ethan Miller, Getty Images
    loading...

    Rex Brown

    Kill Devil Hill

    Pantera legend Rex Brown remains one of metal's all-time greats, and Kill Devil Hill just continues his legacy. The band's sophomore set 'Revolution Rise' featured such standouts as 'Crown of Thorns,' 'Why?' and 'Where Angels Dare to Roam,' and Brown's influence can definitely be felt.

  • Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
    Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
    loading...

    Geezer Butler

    Black Sabbath

    One of the year's great comebacks was Black Sabbath with their '13' album, and Geezer Butler's imprint can definitely be felt. Songs like 'God Is Dead?,' 'End of the Beginning' and 'Loner' just solidify the bassist's impeccable reputation as one of metal's icons.

  • Relapse Records
    Relapse Records
    loading...

    Paul Kelland

    Ulcerate

    Bassist Paul Kelland also fronts New Zealand death metallers Ulcerate, whose 'Vermis' album was a violent, hard-hitting juggernaut. Songs like 'Clutching Revulsion' and 'The Imperious Weak' cut right to the bone with their crushing heaviness and Kelland is right at the center of the fury.

  • Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    loading...

    Lemmy Kilmister

    Motorhead

    Yes, Lemmy fronts Motorhead, but his bass skills should never be overlooked. This year Motorhead returned with one of their most vital records to date, 'Aftershock,' and songs like 'Heartbreaker' and 'Going to Mexico' lead the way, while 'Lost Woman Blues' shows a bluesy side.

  • Season of Mist
    Season of Mist
    loading...

    Colin Marston

    Gorguts

    The return of Gorguts was a welcome one in 2013 and their 'Colored Sands' disc wowed metal fans. Colin Marston, who has been toiling in Krallice, lends his low end mastery on tracks like 'Le Toit du Monde,' 'An Ocean of Wisdom' and 'From Wisdom to Hate.'

  • Larry Busacca, Getty Images
    Larry Busacca, Getty Images
    loading...

    John Myung

    Dream Theater

    Dream Theater are widely regarded as one of the most technically sound acts in prog metal, and bassist John Myung is a big part of that. Myung brought his talents to Dream Theater's self-titled disc on cuts like the single 'The Enemy Inside,' the opus 'Illumination Theory' and more.

  • NewstedHeavyMetal.com
    NewstedHeavyMetal.com
    loading...

    Jason Newsted

    Newsted

    We knew Jason Newsted was a talented bassist, but he also showed his vocal chops with his self-titled band on their 'Heavy Metal Music' album. Living up to the album's title, Newsted and company brought the heavy to songs like 'Soldierhead,' 'Heroic Dose' and 'King of the Underdogs.'

  • Ethan Miller, Getty Images
    Ethan Miller, Getty Images
    loading...

    Billy Sheehan

    The Winery Dogs

    The Winery Dogs was one of the year's more intriguing new bands, and the talented and respected Billy Sheehan held his own alongside Mike Portnoy and Richie Kotzen. Songs like 'I'm No Angel,' 'Elevate' and 'We as One' allow fans to see exactly how much Sheehan can cover a gamut of sounds and excel at each.

  • Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    loading...

    Jeff Walker

    Carcass

    Extreme metallers Carcass added to their legacy with the 'Surgical Steel' album, and Jeff Walker's amazing bass and vocal work is all over it. 'Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System' and 'The Granulating Dark Satanic Mills' are among the albums standouts, showing Walker's ability to balance the heavy with some catchy.

More From Loudwire