Kirk Hammett Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett says he believes the band warned people that streaming services “wouldn’t work” as a new form of business.“We warned everyone that this was gonna happen,” Hammett told Classic Rock in a new interview. “We warned everyone that the music industry was gonna lose 80 percent of its net worth, power and influence.

Metallica bandmates during an on-stage speech in Brazil last week, saying that their support “means the world to me”.The frontman made the remarks while addressing the crowd at the band’s gig at the Estádio do Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on Thursday (May 12).Ahead of performing their song ‘Sad But True’, Hetfield spoke to the crowd by initially joking about the Metallica fan who recently gave birth during the band’s show in Curitiba, saying: “Maybe we’ll have a Metallica birthing section at our shows, especially in Brazil! It’s amazing, isn’t it? It’s crazy. We are so blessed.”Hetfield then spoke candidly about receiving support from his bandmates prior to going on stage in Belo Horizonte.“I’ve gotta tell you, I wasn’t feeling very good before I came out here,” the frontman said.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticFace the facts: you are never, ever getting that Taylor Swift exclusive Record Store Day release that is coming out today. Fifty million Swift fans can’t be wrong, and about a tenth of them seem bent on landing the 10,000 copies of a 7-inch single of “The Lakes” that is going on sale at indie retailers today as part of the annual holiday for music geeks.

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett has released new track ‘High Plains Drifter’ from his debut solo EP ‘Portals’, which is out this Friday.The music on ‘Portals’ is intended to be “soundtracks to the movies in your mind”, although – whatever might be screening in your mind right now – ‘High Plains Drifter’ takes its inspiration from the 1973 movie of the same name.“[The song] was not meant to be specifically music for that film, but it was once it was written, I immediately thought it conveyed the same sentiment as the film, so the piece was christened accordingly”, says Hammett.“The music for ‘High Plains Drifter’ initially came from a Flamenco piece I had written”, he goes on. “It was a two-and-a-half-minute piece, and I really liked it, but it was one of those riffs that would be hard to integrate into Metallica.

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has shared a new solo single this week – listen to ‘High Plains Drifter’ below.The track is taken from his upcoming solo EP, ‘Portals’, which is released on April 23.In a press release, Hammett said the song shares inspiration with a 1973 film that has the same name as the track.“[The song] was not meant to be specifically music for that film, but…once it was written, I immediately thought it conveyed the same sentiment as the film, so the piece was christened accordingly.“The music for ‘High Plains Drifter’ initially came from a Flamenco piece I had written. It was a two-and-a-half-minute piece, and I really liked it, but it was one of those riffs that would be hard to integrate into Metallica.”He continued:, “I knew I wanted to do something with it, even though it came out spontaneously.

Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation has donated $500,000 (£382,000) to help feed Ukrainian refugees.The foundation set up by the metal legends announced yesterday (April 4) that it was making a donation to the World Central Kitchen, which is providing meals for those who have fled Ukraine as the result of the ongoing conflict with Russia.“The work that Chef José Andrés and the dedicated World Central Kitchen cooks do on the frontlines in a humanitarian crisis is nothing short of incredible,” drummer Lars Ulrich said of the donation.“We are inspired, humbled, and beyond proud to support their teams currently in six European countries serving the millions of Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their homes.”Ulrich continued, “WCK represents everything that Metallica and our All Within My Hands Foundation stand for by providing meals with dignity and hope worldwide.”World Central Kitchen was founded by Chef José Andrés to provide “meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises”.The band have said they’d like to raise even more money for the cause, with a goal of $1million over the next two months. To help reach the goal, Metallica are selling a new t-shirt designed by artist Andrew Cremeans.

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett is set to publish his first comic book, Nights of Lono.The comic, which will launch this year but has yet to receive a firm release date, was announced on Monday (March 1), along with the news that AMC Networks is launching a new book publishing arm, AMC Networks Publishing.For Nights of Lono, Hammett – a longtime horror enthusiast – will be teaming up with writing partner Marcel Feldmar. The comic book will be set in 1989 Hawaii, and will explore themes within the supernatural, mystery and adventure genres.Per AMC Networks Publishing’s official description, Nights of Lono will tell the tale of “a troubled female detective who is hired to find King Kamehameha’s tomb before it is discovered by an unscrupulous occultist fro the mainland”.The comic is also described as a “self-aware journey through standard detective tropes and cliches that are sharpened and given new life with fresh takes on the myths and folklore of the Hawaiian Islands”.Following the news of AMC Networks Publishing’s launch and Nights of Lono, Hammett took to social media to say: “Excited to partner with award-winning creatives & companies to further engage [AMC’s] passionate fanbases with the stories & characters they love”.A post shared by Kirk Hammett (@kirkhammett)Besides Nights of Lono, Hammett is set to provide a foreword for AMC Networks Publishing’s first title, Shudder’s Creepshow: From Script to Scream, alongside Stephen King.Nights of Lono will mark the second book that the Metallica guitarist has written, following his 2012 coffee-table book, Too Much Horror Business, which detailed his horror collection and memorabilia.

Metallica’s first-ever recording of ‘Hit The Lights’ from 1982, featuring former bandmate Dave Mustaine, is set to receive a reissue on vinyl this April.‘Hit The Lights’ will feature on Metal Blade Records’ 40th anniversary reissue of its ‘Metal Massacre’ compilation, which was available from 1982 to 1984. The reissue – set to release on April 22 – will mark the first time that the rare recording has been made available since 1984.The 1982 recording of ‘Hit The Lights’ includes a guitar solo performed by Dave Mustaine, who played in Metallica for 11 months before being kicked out of the band shortly before they recorded their 1983 debut album, ‘Kill ‘Em All’.

Metallica have announced that their annual ‘Metallica Night’ event with the San Francisco Giants baseball team will be returning for an eighth year.The event, which has previously seen Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield perform the national anthem and drummer Lars Ulrich throw out the ceremonial first pitch, has been cancelled for the past two seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.This year’s ‘Metallica Night’ will take place on May 24 at Oracle Park – formerly AT&T Park – in San Francisco, as the Giants take on the New York Mets. Tickets are on sale here.“It’s a tradition that we’ve missed the last two seasons, so we’re really excited for the return of Metallica Night at Oracle Park with our hometown baseball team, the San Francisco Giants,” the band said in a statement.“This year marks the eighth time we’ll take the field for the National Anthem, first pitch, and a few other pre-game shenanigans, and it all takes place on Tuesday, May 24th against the New York Mets.”A post shared by Metallica (@metallica)Special packages for the event include a ticket to the game and a limited-edition Metallica/Giants T-shirt; a portion of the proceeds from every Metallica Night Special Event ticket sold will benefit the band’s All Within My Hands foundation.In 2020, Metallica‘s All Within My Hands Foundation donated $350,000 to a series of charities providing aid and care during the coronavirus crisis.“In the wake of the spread of the coronavirus, the most vulnerable people in our communities need help now more than ever,” Metallica said in a statement at the time.

RELEASESMetallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has announced that he will release his debut solo EP, ‘Portals’, on 23 Apr. “This music was created with what I describe as an audio-cinematic approach”, he says. “They’re soundtracks to the movies in your mind”.

Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett has announced details of his debut solo EP, ‘Portals’.The guitarist will release the four-song instrumental EP on April 23 via Blackened Recordings across digital platforms, CD and as a Record Store Day Exclusive Ocean Blue Vinyl EP.‘Portals’ was produced by Hammett and includes songs that were co-written with California conductor Edwin Outwater, who also contributed keyboards and led the orchestral players from the LA Philharmonic on ‘Portals’. Hammett previously collaborated with Outwater on Metallica’s ‘S&M2’ shows in 2019.Drummers Jon Theodore and Abraham Laboriel, bassist Greg Fidelman, arranger Blake Neely and Bob Rock have also contributed to ‘Portals’ – the artwork and tracklist for which you can see below.1. ‘Maiden And The Monster’2. ‘The Jinn’3. ‘High Plains Drifter’4. ‘The Incantation’‘Portals’ was recorded in multiple locations ranging from Los Angeles to Paris to Oahu, and is described as being “both the result of musical and metaphysical journeys; an invitation to inner worlds accessible only by music and the psyche it fuels”.“This music was created with what I describe as an audio-cinematic approach,” Hammett said in a statement about his record.

Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo have linked up to deliver their rendition of The Edgar Winter Group classic ‘Frankenstein’.In a video for Blackened Whiskey shared via Kerrang!, Hammett and Trujillo can be seen jamming to the 1972 track in two separate locations.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorRock legends Metallica are now holding forth in their first-ever internet class.In their online course, offered through celeb-oriented learning company MasterClass, the group’s foursome — James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo — will reflect on four decades of their partnership.The course comprises 15 individual video lessons, spanning 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett has revealed that when he first sat down to write ‘Enter Sandman’, he wanted to make the next ‘Smoke On The Water’ by Deep Purple.Speaking in a new interview, the guitarist went into detail about the classic song’s creation and how the riff was inspired by Soundgarden.“I sat down and I said to myself, as I always do, ‘I want to write the next ‘Smoke On The Water’,’ And I just started messing around,” Hammett told Guitar World.

Metallica’s Grammy winning the Black Album is one of the best-selling records of all-time. But it wasn’t such a huge hit with everyone.

Metallica fan Kurt Cobain was.Speaking to Classic Rock Magazine,  Hammett looked back on the release of ‘The Black Album’ (1991) and its subsequent impact as the record nears its 30th anniversary (Nirvana released their seminal second album ‘Nevermind’ that same year).“Kurt Cobain came to one of our shows in Seattle, on the Black Album tour,” he said. “I knew Kurt kind of well, and I hung out with him quite a bit.

Metallica album, saying he hopes it will “cut through the division” in the world.The band have been working on their new album during the coronavirus pandemic, with James Hetfield confirming that the band wrote 10 songs together over Zoom in quarantine.In a new interview with Metal Hammer, Hammett discussed his hopes for the next record, saying it comes with a hope for unity.“Metallica has always been about bringing people together through music,” he said.

Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett has reflected on the bands 40th anniversary in a new interview.Along with bassist Robert Trujillo, Hammett spoke to George Kontos about the band’s four decades and their plans for the future.Via Blabbermouth, Hammett told Kontos: “Man, it’s crazy when I think about four decades. ‘Cause I swear to God, it seems like just yesterday that we were on a tour bus somewhere in the middle of America, just trying to keep up with everything…40 years passed so quickly.

Kamasi Washington is a contributor to the forthcoming Metallica tribute compilation ‘The Metallica Blacklist’, and now the saxophonist has performed his cover live with members of the band themselves.Washington debuted his rendition of ‘My Friend of Misery’ live at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo joined him onstage, along with bassist Thundercat.Watch the performance below:Washington is one of 53 artists to contribute to the star-studded covers

Fleetwood Mac‘s seminal hit ‘Need Your Love So Bad’ has been released, featuring vocals from the late Peter Green and a newly recorded guitar track from Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour.The new take on the 1969 hit is one of two new versions of Fleetwood Mac classics that have been recorded to celebrate the release of Peter Green – The Albatross Man, a new book in tribute to the late Fleetwood Mac guitarist which arrives in October.The second track, meanwhile, sees Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett playing

Metallica‘s classic single ‘One’ has sold for $112,500 (£82,000) at auction.The ESP 400 series instrument, which was described as being ​in “excellent” condition, was purchased yesterday (April 11) by an anonymous buyer via Heritage Auctions.Hammett’s signature appears in silver ink at the bottom of the natural solid body, with the guitar also coming with a signed certificate of authenticity and original hard case.An official description reads: “Very clean and all-original ESP Strat-style

Metallica‘s classic single ‘One’ has gone up for auction.The ESP 400 series instrument, which is said to be ​in “excellent” condition, is now available to bid on through Heritage Auctions for a limited period. Its current bid price is $26,000 (£18,900).Hammett’s signature appears in silver ink at the bottom of the natural solid body, with the guitar also coming with a signed certificate of authenticity and original hard case.

Metallica gave the U.S. National Anthem some attitude just before the Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett has reflected on how notorious US serial killer Richard Ramirez was on death row when the band filmed their ‘St Anger’ video at California’s San Quentin prison.The band filmed the acclaimed video at the prison in 2003 while Ramirez was serving a death sentence after being found found guilty in 1989 of 43 crimes, including 13 counts of murder.Recalling the shoot to Kerrang!, Hammett reflected on how he even received a memento which was linked to the notorious killer.“I

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has said his bandmates James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich don’t remember the first time they met him.Hammett joined the metal titans in 1983, and prior to that he played in the band Exodus.In a lengthy new interview for Gibson’s ‘Icons’ series, Hammett remembered meeting the pair for the first time when Exodus supported Metallica, an encounter his bandmates have no memory of.Hammett explained: “[Exodus] got booked on [a] show because we were friends with the

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has remembered going to see the band live for the first time before he joined.Hammett joined the metal titans in 1983, and prior to that he played in the band Exodus.In a lengthy new interview for Gibson’s ‘Icons’ series, Hammett remembered being dragged to a Metallica show by Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff.“I remember we were just sitting around one day, and the singer of Exodus, a guy named Paul Baloff, who was an absolute maniac, he walked into the rehearsal and

Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett played a 1959 Les Paul guitar which was previously played by Fleetwood Mac‘s Peter Green.Hammett delivered a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown)’ at a tribute concert for Green which was held at The London Palladium in February – joined by an all-star cast including Mick Fleetwood.Taking place only months before Green’s passing in July 2020, the concert also saw contributions from the likes of Noel Gallagher, David Gilmour,

Eddie Van Halen during its virtual ceremony last night (November 7), with a powerful performance led by Guns N’ Roses‘ Slash, Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett and Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello.The legendary guitarist died last month after losing a long battle with throat cancer. His passing was confirmed by his son, Wolfgang.“Eddie Van Halen was a tremendously gifted musician,” Slash said at the ceremony.

Metallica guitarist has been collaborating with Edwin Outwater, the composer who has worked on the band’s ‘S&M2’ live performance show/album, for new material separate from the band.Hammett told Metallica’s fan club magazine So What! that he feels his new instrumentals have got the potential to be his career-best, adding that they play out “like movies”.Two of the four total tracks have been written with Outwater, and Hammett believes they’re “the best fucking things I’ve ever done”.“I recorded

Metallica is keeping their American patriotism alive without a live crowd.