Kirk Hammett: Why He’s ‘Bored’ of Playing the Solo on ‘Master of Puppets’
Kirk Hammett is one of the most popular guitarists in the world and in one of the biggest bands in history. However, even he sometimes gets bored with playing “the…
Kirk Hammett is one of the most popular guitarists in the world and in one of the biggest bands in history. However, even he sometimes gets bored with playing "the hits."
The Metallica guitarist touched on this in an interview with Total Guitar (h/t Guitar World.) He said, "What I’m going to say people are probably gonna hate, but it drives me nuts having to play that f-cking guitar solo in 'Master of Puppets' every time."
Hammett understands how much fans love that solo and the song itself. However, in the process of talking about the solo, he clarifies, "You know, I’m not bored of the solo; I just get bored of playing the same thing all the time."
Being bored of doing the same thing for literal decades is a reasonable point of contention. It's a good thing then that Metallica has a new album on the way titled 72 Seasons. The album comes out on April 14. It's available for pre-save here, while physical copies are available for pre-order at Metallica.com.
Four tracks from the LP have been previewed, so far. They include the title track, "If Darkness Had a Son," "Screaming Suicide" and "Lux Æterna."
Kirk Hammett: 10 Photos of Stellar ‘Guitar Face’
Kirk Hammett celebrates his birthday on November 18. While his work in Metallica has been celebrated for years, there's another aspect of his playing that also should be recognized: His "Guitar Face."
You know, all of those weird facial expressions guitarists tend to make when they're performing and are just feeling it. Some examples of "guitar face" are rather strange, but Hammett's "guitar face" somehow is like an effortless cool.
Want proof? Here are just ten examples of Hammett's variations of "guitar face."
The "Metal is Fun" Guitar Face
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesSAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Musician Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs a secret concert in celebration of "Metallica Through The Never" during Comic-Con International 2013 at Spreckels Theatre on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BB Gun)
The "Ah! I'm walking and playing at the same time" Guitar Face
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 24: Kirk Hammett of the band Metallica performs at Bridgestone Arena on January 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
The "Casual Rocking with the Bassist" Guitar Face
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett perform at I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell at the Forum on January 16, 2019 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The "Absolutely Thrashing with the Bassist" Guitar Face
Mauricio Santana/Getty ImagesSAO PAULO, BRAZIL - MARCH 25: Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett of the band Metallica perform live on stage at Autodromo de Interlagos on March 25, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)
The "I just saw a really gross spider and I don't like it" Guitar Face
Mauricio Santana/Getty ImagesSAO PAULO, BRAZIL - MARCH 25: Kirk Hammett of the band Metallica performs live on stage at Autodromo de Interlagos on March 25, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)
The "I just stubbed my toe but I like it" Guitar Face
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesINDIO, CA - APRIL 23: Musician Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs onstage during The Big 4 held at the Empire Polo Club on April 23, 2011 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The "I just hit my funny bone by mistake and it's not so funny" Guitar Face
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: Guitarist Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs during a stop of the band's WorldWired Tour at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The "Man, this is a cool angle photo of me" Guitar Face
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 15: Musician Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs at the Fonda Theatre on December 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The "I forgot how heavy a guitar can be until I play it like this" Guitar Face
Noel Vasquez/Getty ImagesIRVINE, CA - MAY 17: Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs at the KROQ Weenie Roast Y Fiesta 2008 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on May 17, 2008 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
The "That's right, I'm Kirk f-cking Hammett" Guitar Face
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesPASADENA, CA - JULY 29: Musician Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs onstage at the Rose Bowl on July 29, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
