Kirk Hammett
Latest about Kirk Hammett

The guitar gear secrets behind James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett’s tones on 72 Seasons
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Metallica co-producer Greg Fidelman reveals how the new album was made with the help of a Marshall modded by Eddie Van Halen’s amp wizard and a rack full of battle-hardened guitars, including one that makes Hetfield “immediately want to play fast riffs”

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett: “With 72 Seasons, I improvised 20, 30 solos, gave them all to Lars and Greg Fidelman, and went, ‘You guys edit them!’”
By Jenna Scaramanga published
Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo draw back the curtain on the metal album of the year: the gear shakeups, the Angus Young and Ritchie Blackmore-inspired guitar approach, and the response to critics of Kirk’s improvisational soloing approach

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett debut new ESP and Gibson guitars at first show of M72 world tour
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Papa Het has a fresh Vulture, while Hammett’s uber-rare ’59 Les Paul got its first-ever runout for the set’s surprise opener

Kirk Hammett explains why he uses wah so much: "I can't think of anybody who uses the wah pedal as much as I do – I'm not ashamed of it"
By Jackson Maxwell published
The Metallica guitarist addresses criticism of his frequent use of the effect and explains what it unlocks in his playing

Kirk Hammett reveals the truth about that burned guitar on Metallica’s 72 Seasons album cover
By Matt Owen published
Is it a Fernandes Stratocaster copy? Well, not exactly

Cliff Burton wrote one of Metallica’s heaviest riffs on a de-tuned classical guitar
By Nick Wells published
Kirk Hammett: “To this day, I think: ‘How did Cliff write that?’”

Guitarist who re-recorded Metallica’s Lux Æterna solo responds to Kirk Hammett’s defence: “The solos sound lazy and completely throwaway”
By Matt Owen published
In a blunt rebuttal of Hammett’s comments, YouTuber Bradley Hall – who first criticized the song's solo by remaking it – labeled the lead playing as having “super-regurgitated, boring, lazy phrasing”

Kirk Hammett reveals the secret weapon behind his guitar tone: “I can’t believe I’m telling you about it!”
By Matt Owen published
The elusive piece of gear has sonic ties to Eddie Van Halen, AC/DC and Pink Floyd, and featured throughout new Metallica album 72 Seasons
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