The Gazette Bass Tabs: Play Their Best Songs with Power and Precision

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The Deep Pulse of J-Rock: Exploring Basslines in The Gazette’s Music

When we talk about The Gazette, what usually comes to mind first are their heavy riffs, dark aesthetics, and Ruki’s distinctive vocals. But behind the flashy visuals and roaring guitars lies a crucial foundation that often gets overlooked — the bass. Reita, the masked bassist of The Gazette, has been the silent powerhouse, providing groove, depth, and attitude to the band’s sound. Let’s dive deep into the world of The Gazette’s basslines, and why they’re a vital piece of the J-Rock puzzle.

Who Is Reita?

Before we dive into the music, let’s give props to the man behind the four strings. Reita (real name: Akira Suzuki) is the bassist of The Gazette, known for his trademark noseband and strong stage presence. Unlike many other bassists in visual kei bands, Reita doesn't just hide in the background. He plays a central role, both in performance and in the structure of many Gazette songs.

He’s been with the band since their formation in 2002, and over the years, his basslines have evolved from simple backing grooves to complex, expressive lines that sometimes drive the entire track.

Why Basslines Matter in The Gazette’s Music

In a band that blends metalcore, alternative rock, and even industrial sounds, the bassline serves as more than just background noise. It’s the glue that holds everything together.

Here’s why Reita’s basslines are essential:

• Rhythmic Foundation: Especially in heavier tracks, his playing locks in tightly with the drums, adding punch and power.
• Melodic Support: In softer or more atmospheric tracks, his bass weaves between the guitars and vocals, adding emotional depth.
• Unique Tonality: Reita often uses effects and techniques like slapping or picking that make his tone stand out, giving The Gazette a unique edge in the J-Rock scene.

Now, let’s break down some notable songs that showcase just how good Reita really is.

1. “Filth in the Beauty” – A Bassline That Hits Like a Freight Train

“Filth in the Beauty” is one of The Gazette’s most iconic tracks. The opening riff is pure chaos — in a good way. But if you listen closely, it's the bass that keeps everything from falling apart.

Reita’s bassline is heavy, distorted, and aggressive. It acts almost like a second guitar, but it’s tighter and groovier. When the chorus hits, his playing switches gears, locking into a more melodic groove that supports Ruki’s vocals beautifully. It’s a masterclass in dynamic bass playing.

Bass Highlight: That breakdown around the 2:00 mark where the guitar drops out and the bass takes center stage? Goosebumps.

2. “Hyena” – The Groove That Makes You Move

If The Gazette ever wrote a dance-metal track, “Hyena” would be it. It’s got swagger, swing, and an infectious rhythm that makes you want to nod your head.

And you can thank Reita for that. His bassline in “Hyena” is funky, tight, and constantly moving. He doesn’t just stick to root notes; he dances around the fretboard with fills and slides that add a ton of personality to the track.

Bass Highlight: The verses are all about groove, and Reita nails it with a playful, bouncing line that keeps things exciting.

3. “Leech” – Slow, Heavy, and Hypnotic

“Leech” is slower and darker than the previous two songs, and the bass reflects that mood. Reita’s tone is thick and muddy (in a good way), almost like molasses dripping into your ears.

He uses a lot of space in this song. Instead of playing fast, he lets notes ring out, creating a sense of tension and weight. The bass and drums work like a heartbeat here — slow, steady, and powerful.

Bass Highlight: Listen to the bridge section where the band drops into a quiet, eerie atmosphere. The bass hums underneath like a sleeping monster.

4. “The Invisible Wall” – Progressive Bass Brilliance

This is one of The Gazette’s more progressive tracks. It’s got tempo changes, time signature shifts, and a cinematic feel. Reita shines here because he’s not just playing along — he’s leading the charge.

In “The Invisible Wall,” the bassline often mirrors the melody, but also acts as a rhythmic anchor. Reita switches between fingerstyle and pick playing to match the song’s dynamic shifts.

Bass Highlight: The intro build-up is all about tension, and the bass is front and center. It’s subtle, but it’s crucial to the atmosphere.

5. “Red” – Emotional Depth Through Bass

“Red” is a melodic, emotional track — one of The Gazette’s more mainstream-friendly songs. While the guitars are bright and shimmery, Reita’s bass keeps things grounded.

His lines here are simple, but super effective. He follows the chord progression closely but adds little flourishes — slides, ghost notes, harmonics — that elevate the entire song.

Bass Highlight: The pre-chorus has a little walk-up line that adds just the right amount of tension before the chorus explodes. It’s subtle, but genius.

Bass Gear and Tone

Part of what makes Reita’s basslines so iconic is his gear. Over the years, he’s used a variety of bass guitars, most notably ESP models customized to his playing style.

• Basses: ESP Reita Signature models (usually with active pickups for more punch)
• Amplification: Ampeg heads and cabinets
• Effects: Overdrive, chorus, and sometimes envelope filters for a funky vibe

His tone is usually aggressive and mid-focused, which helps it cut through the mix. In some songs, he goes super distorted (like in “Filth in the Beauty”), while in others, it’s cleaner and more melodic.

Techniques That Define Reita’s Style

Reita isn’t just about tone — he’s a skilled player with a toolbox of techniques. Here are a few that show up across many songs:

• Pick Playing: Gives him that sharp, punchy sound. Perfect for fast, heavy songs.
• Slap and Pop: Not super common in visual kei, but Reita throws it in occasionally for flavor.
• Sliding & Harmonics: He uses these for texture, especially in intros and ambient sections.
• Syncopation: His rhythms often play off the drums in interesting ways, giving The Gazette’s music a complex groove.

Underrated Bass Moments

While we’ve looked at some popular tracks, here are a few underrated songs where Reita’s basslines deserve more love:

• “Before I Decay” – Fast-paced, punk-ish track where the bass is constantly driving the rhythm.
• “Burial Applicant” – Haunting and atmospheric, with a minimalistic bassline that sets the mood.
• “Derangement” – A chaotic song with a bass tone that sounds like it came from a horror movie soundtrack (in the best way).

Final Thoughts: The Backbone of The Gazette

Bass players rarely get the spotlight, especially in genres like metal and hard rock where guitars tend to dominate. But The Gazette wouldn’t be The Gazette without Reita.

His basslines are more than just background noise — they’re the heartbeat, the undercurrent, the thing that ties the chaos together. Whether he's grooving hard in a funky verse or holding down a thunderous breakdown, Reita brings style, skill, and soul to every note he plays.

So next time you throw on a Gazette track, pay a little more attention to the bass. You might be surprised at just how much it’s doing.

This is a collection of bass tabs from THE GAZETTE songs, you can visit our YouTube directly and get the PDF file for free on this website, hopefully it will be useful.

THE GAZETTE - HOLE

• Bass Guitar Type: 4 Strings
• Tuning: B D G C

Get the pdf file here

THE GAZETTE - DEVOURING ONE ANOTHER 

• Bass Guitar Type: 4 Strings
• Tuning: C D# G# C# 

Get the pdf file here 

THE GAZETTE - PARALYSIS

• Bass Guitar Type: 4 Strings
• Tuning: B D G C

Get the pdf file here