Not only Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has been the target of ridicule and criticism for a long time-the musical skills of his bandmate Kirk Hammett are also repeatedly discussed. Reason enough to pursue the question: Is Kirk Hammett actually a good guitarist?
At the beginning, let’s devote ourselves to the counter question: Why should Kirk Hammett not be a good, maybe even a bad guitarist? Here are some points that Hammett-Hatern hears and reads again and again.
Kirk Hammett: This is what his critics say
Allegation 1: The foot constantly on the WAH pedal
Critics like to throw Hammett the same things. There is point one: just as Raser have his foot on the accelerator pedal, Kirk has his foot at the WAH pedal. That would not be problematic if he did not use the WAH effect constantly and therefore also tried to conceal only a little original guitar runs, you hear some mutton skeptics. That’s right: Hammett likes the wah pedal and often uses it. We think that he conceals a lack of ideas with it.
Allegation 2: Little inspired solos
Of course, Kirk Hammett can be heard on some of the biggest metal songs ever and also created some of the best-known solos of the genre. Again and again one reads from critics that Hammett’s best times were behind him, his original ideas were long ago, and of what Metallica has done since (here album xy) was not very remembered when it comes to Kirk.
Allegation 3: The riffs lost
When Metallica 2016 brought out “Hardwired … to self-destruct”, one thing was striking: Kirk Hammett was not in the credits in terms of songwriting. The musician himself explained the reason for this, said that he simply lost an iPhone with hundreds of reef and lick ideas. He had apparently not noticed it. Many agreed that this is only an excuse that he ran out of creative breath.
Allegation 4: no better
Kirk Hammett has been a guitar superstar since the 1980s. Many think that he had not developed in a playful way for many decades, had stopped or even got worse.
Allegation 5: He is constantly playing live
Yes, there is one or the other live video from Metallica, in which Kirk is playing. Where he forgets how “Nothing Else Matters” continued again. Many consider it to be a sign that Kirk Hammett sloppy around when playing.
Allegation 6: He always plays the same thing
This accusation is often read: in the eyes and ears of many, Kirk repeatedly repeats himself with his solos – and that since early days.
And now?
Let’s try to look at the location relatively soberly and as objectively as possible. There are numerous mega virtuosos in the metal area. They are subdivided into those who, above all technically shine, or those who are terrific technicians, but also have an incredible feeling while playing (here, for example, guitar artists Guthrie Govan thinks of his guitar skills, but also Hans Zimmer, but also with the Aristocrats and everywhere else). As with Lars Ulrich, Hammett also applies: there are definitely a large number of players who can easily get the water from him. Especially since social media, young guitarists have been seen who show technically perfect acrobatics exercises in which many old shred god can only watch jealously. Kirk Hammett is not a gifted technician. There are faster guitarists who play and compose the most owed solos, should be more varied … The series can be continued.
Kirk Hammett: influence for generations, famous soli
But that does not mean that the Kirk Hammett’s performance as a guitarist reduces in any way. With Metallica, Kirk laid the foundation for several generations of new bands that built up on what he and his bandmates did – and beyond.
Kirk Hammett has created many great solos. Just think of the lead guitar parts of “One”, “Battery”, “Master of Puppets”, “Fade to Black”-there are many of them. All of these songs would not be the same without his contributions; Hammett’s solos drive the songs ahead, ensure a climax. It is thanks to Kirk Hammett that thousands of kids have reached guitars.
Hammett itself is an enthusiastic guitarist after decades. “When I am depressed, I reach for my guitar. In times when I am really stressed or struggling with fears, I often just play until I calmed down, ”he said once metal. “If I have a feeling in myself that has to get out, the guitar helps me with it. It is a creative tool, but on the other hand, it is also a rehabilitation, emotional, spiritual tool that I use to nourish my interior, ”continues Hammett.
He himself also told himself that he was quite more technically versed and know more scales and the like than you think – only at Metallica it is about what fits the song.
Conclusion
So is Kirk Hammett a good guitarist? This question is subjective, but here is our take: Kirk Hammett is of course a good and, above all, important guitarist. Not mandatory technical, but as a total package. Kirk Hammett significantly shaped Rock and Metal, generations were inspired by him and grabbed guitars and founded bands because of his work. His solos, which are many decades old, are still great to listen and rousing and will probably still be in many decades. So again, yes, Kirk Hammett is definitely a good guitarist!