Pantera pioneered the groove metal sound in the ‘90s, with Rex Brown laying down the low end. Regardless of how huge Dimebag Darrell’s guitar tone was, Rex helped fill out the sound to make Pantera so heavy. He also supplied the thunder for the sludge supergroup Down, featuring Phil Anselmo and a wealth of other New Orleans stars, and is currently focusing on Kill Devil Hill with drummer Vinny Appice. He has a knack for driving rhythms and bluesy playing with his unique feel.

Dan Lilker is one of the metal world’s busiest bassists. Following his departure from Anthrax after their debut album, he formed the thrash outfit Nuclear Assault, which achieved massive underground success with the albums ‘Game Over’ and ‘Survive.’ Lilker teamed up again with Scott Ian in 1985 to form Stormtroopers of Death, paying homage to their hardcore and crossover influences. He has also served as the only bassist in the highly influential grind act Brutal Truth, serving up a mixed dish of groove and spastic technicality to highlight his diversity.

Rex Brown or Dan Lilker?  Cast your vote for the Greatest Metal Bassist in the poll below! Voting for this round closes on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 11:59PM ET. Fans can vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure that your favorite metal musician wins!

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