METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett was interviewed by Germany's Radio 21 November 2016 during the promotional tour for the band's new album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct". Check out my channel: ru-vid.com...
I think he just doesn't think of it in terms of "best", and he knows there's a lot of players out there who have a better grasp of the instrument - Satriani, Yngwie, Holdsworth etc.
@@hmpz36911 Why are you naming the likes of Satriani and the rest? Most guitar players in most metal bands are better than Hammett. Mustaine, Poland, Friedman, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and the rest are all better than this clown.
@@1977moonchild1 What kind of question is that? Lol. You cherry picked some of the best names in metal, to be fair. Most metal guitarists aren't as good as those guys. Kirk in his prime was still a great guitarist. Now, yeah, he's sloppy and lazy.
Kirk is definitely the anti rock star. Intelligent, humble, somewhat introverted (unless he’s talking about something he’s passionate about then he’s very outspoken). There needs to be a show dedicated to bringing famous musicians, actors, artists etc together with their idols/influences. A show like that would benefit everyone, the industry, the artists, the young budding kid that’s discovering their passion for the first time or their discovery would come from watching such a show. Ok so there’s a multi million dollar idea. Someone please make it and bring musicianship back to music again. Your awesome Kirk! Ride the Lightning was a game changer. It was like nothing else at that time. Thank you
If you haven’t, check out any of the videos of Metallica jamming with one of their influences, and all of them are just having the best time, and Kirk usually has the biggest smile. When they play with King Diamond, you see Kirk smile for like 12 minutes straight.
@Mr.SmithGNR Smith - There's two versions of the Suicide & Redemption song (a favorite) off of Death Magnetic, if you get the much better no frequency clipping and no compression Guitar Hero 3 version of the album the version with the Kirk Hammet lead as compared to the James Hetfield lead on this same song - Kirk Hammets version is better, better flowing, timed and hits a higher note at the end of this solo, i like it a lot.
i suppose you have a point but your original comment came off a lil douchy bro. mustaine's style just isn't really my cuppa tea. not a horrible band by a long shot i just prefer to listen to a lot more of metallica's catalog.
thrasher Metallica has simple chug chug riffs?? Have you even heard the album Dystopia? There's like 5 or 6 songs on the album that has simple open note chugging riffs as verses. Why does this always have to be on videos of Metallica? People like what they like, stop making everything a Megadeth vs Metallica argument.
But it has to be said... It's just the way it is. - Even I have issues with my joints and I'm not in my 30s yet. I think with all this intense Metal, and especially guys who play for long sessions and even tours like they do, there probably needs to be exercises and diets developed that fights that. But still, while the human body is resilient, it just wears down. It's a physical entity that only lasts for so long. And if guys like Lars and Kirk aren't careful and start using more proper techniques instead of ramming their instruments, they won't last as long as they hope.
Kirk is a kind soul, and I think when the band is at each other’s throats he’s their voice of reason. I think the guilt he carries for cliff is so heart breaking. He was the only one that was supportive of newsteads echo brain. And was actually kind to Jason after he left Metallica
Kirk is still a kid inside. Love listening to him telling a story. Like a five year old boy telling you about something he saw for the first time, big eyes and all.
Cool Goby Fish He DID?!? Wow...I’d have never known. He looks amazing, especially knowing he’s gonna be 55 in November😱He looks great & seems very happy now, must be the “I live in Hawaii, have a beautiful wife & 2 sons, surf everyday, and hey! IM IN METALLICA & a bazillionaire” attitude😂Kirk is & will always be my favorite guitarist. I have so much respect that he’s not trying to become plastic like so many other celebs👏🏻💜
Kirk is the man. I grew up on his solos. His guitar sounds are part of my brain development. Neurons are floating around in my brain right now that exist as a result of Kirk. Coolest guy ever, humble, yet still a metal god.
Its amazing how down to earth Kirk is, he could easily have the biggest ego and be the biggest douchebag, but he always comes off as a genuinely cool dude, him allowing the last question is a small example of that.
He actively made it his business to be the guy with the smallest ego in the band. I heard him say that in Some Kind of Monster, if I remember correctly. Could’ve been an interview, too, either way, he said it. Thank god for that because another gasbag like Lars would‘ve been horrible.
This interview has the least amount of stuttering from Kirk I've ever seen haha. Getting him started on the Scorpions obviously got him very comfortable haha.
Kirk is probably one of the nicest all-around guys in the business and probably anywhere - cool, honest, always humble. He was as much an influence on me when I was a teenager as Michael Schenker and Eddie Van Halen were on him - and I love those guys myself.
Kirk seems like a genuine dude. Also obviously very bright and creative. It makes you feel a little better about showbiz to know people like this can make it.
Hearing Kirk’s answer to the “political” question gives me more respect for him. Where other entertainers would’ve put their foot in their mouth, he obviously has a smart way of handling that. James, too! At the very least, why would you want to alienate a giant chunk of your audience? Clever lyrics are written in a way that the listener can connect & make it personal for them, regardless of what it may have originally been about.
And even if the author gives away the intended meaning, you can also give them your own meaning. Even the contrary of what the author meant. It's a thing of perspectives.
he wrote the memorable solos in scorpions. rock you like a hurricane, no one like you, those songs which scorpions fan can relate to easily. This is why i love him more, he's a cool and humble guy and doesn't care if he isn't given the attention. He has a real guitarist attitude.
People also praise Michael Schenker as a GOD but I prefer Mattias Jabs way more. He does so many creative things in between vocal lines. I think MJ doesn't get the praise because the SCORPIONS have way more killer songs than MSG/UFO and that overshadows MJ's playing. MSG/UFO don't have many iconic songs so the soloing stands out more to me.
The scorpions have never received the due credit that they deserve. From Michael to Jabs they have changed the guitar world. As a band they have inspired many bands and yet they have never received the recognition that they deserve. They have always been my favorite band and I have seen them every time they have been on tour since love at first sting tour.
Man I always love these interviews with Kirk because I can always relate to him in some way as a guitarist and a person. Thanks Kirk and all of Metallica for making great music and I aspire to be in a band like you guys one day. \m/
@Clinton Reisig Katy Perry has nothing to do with it. Scorpions were massive back in the 80s but they haven't put out a decent album for a loooooooong time. Just 'best of' and lots of farewell tours. You ain't gonna get the number one spot again like this.
"Don't want to associated with either side" - that is golden, that is someone who knows there job is to bring people together, to provide and escape, to rock your face off and just enjoy their music - 10/10.
Brother had the Justice album but it was the Garage Days cover album that got me interested in Metallica. The sound was so raw sounding instead of the clean studio sound. The solos on Helpless and The Wait were amazing. The black album had come out that same time and I was like this is the same band?! Been rocking out to Metallica ever since. Met the band in 1997 after their show on January in San Diego. Their music has helped me out through a lot of tough times.
@@phillyphilhouse79 That garage days cd was better than ajfa and everything after lol Crash course has some wicked guitar solo sound. Well placed notes/accents with great tone.
@@m42037 because they sing moslty in English and also why Berlin? Berlin is a long ways away from Hannover lol. Might as well say Munich or Stuttgart Köln ;)
Kirk is a nice guy. Can't argue with that. His lack of ego compared to some others is his best and worst quality. Makes him super nice to talk to. Downside is often , doesnt rehearse his parts often enough. I his solo more than anyones all the up to the Black Album. Beautiful melodies... and then it just sort of stops for the most part. I hope he'll do a very 'carefully constructed' set of solos fot their next album. That being said, I'll never not like Kirk. He and James are to me what the Scorpions are to him.
Old post , but....I guess when you know you've hit the apex of your career with TBA, because honestly, that thing as well know was a monster, you kinda rest on your laurels. Still Metallica i the band that inspired me to spend a small fortune and buy a Marshall amp and Jackson guitar and learn to play
Kirk is right, UFO and the Scorpions changed my life too. Scorpions at US Festival ‘83 were hands down the best band that day ! They’re like a well oiled machine live. Absolutely perfect.
I love that Kirk tells his manager/assistant, "yeah, give him one more" [question]. He could leave, be less invested in the interviews (& therefore in the interviewer), but his humility really shines thru when he does that. It's not just numbers/stats/acclaim, it's really about the people that got him where he is. Incredibly cool to see a person at the apex of fame really give back, & the Metallica guys seem to do this consistently & repeatedly. How inspiring!
I've been playing for 20+ years, and I'm still mesmerized by the 'Rock you like a hurricane' phrasing. The collective talent within the Scorpions is unparalleled. I love this interview with Kirk because of his profound level of authenticity. You can see the emotion...the tearing up...the reminiscing...the regrets...the up and downs...the admiration...his level of intellect...respect for his band...respect for other bands...his humbleness. He can hang with gangsters, politicians, the Pope, you or me. You could throw down some sloppy ass lick and he'd cheer you on. You challenge him and he'd respectfully waste you and apologize about it afterwards. Satriani instilled a discipline onto him that is transparent and obvious. I recall when Kirk won Guitarist of the year way back and got his ass chewed for being lazy in his approach to his solos on ...I think on MoPs. Could have been Black. Too much partying probably. But he squared up. Dude has been through and seen more in a lifetime than most of us could dream of. All that and not an ounce of arrogance. He's an amazing human being.
i agree with you. my favorite scorpions solo is the RYLAH solos. the phrasing and note selection is just superior to any other one. i love Uli, but i dont think he topped that one
dimebag Darrell that one was really good to. And still loving you always put chills up my back when I heard it. Even today. Shit ima listen to it now lol
Thank you Kirk for giving props where props are due . Ulrich Roth was the greatest guitar player of the 70's that nobody knew about until later. And Matthias also deserves credit - the solos in no one like you , rock you like a hurricane , coming home , arizona etc are all very well constructed melodic solos . Scorpions are the stuff !
Kirk you are 100% right. I’m 56 and and can’t stop listening to the Scorpions! I started listening to Metallica in 1985 in Hanau Germany! Blew my mind! I think, mind you I think my favorite song by you guys is Blackened! Then I like Master of Puppets! Obey you Master! Master! Kirk you are one of the best! You guys political view is beautiful! Keep it that way and don’t ruin the way anyone thinks about you guys!
@@jbird1224 fuckoff goof that clown has no originality his solos are boring ...and somebody needs to take his wah pedal away..he's told what to plays by Lars and James and that's a fact
You can see the passion in his facial expressions and demeanor overall, when speaking about UFO, Scorpians etc.... That sound indelibly rooted in his playing that he has passed on to everyone is such a natural occurance of the universal language. Awesomeness
He's an amazing musician, and I understand how he feels about playing guitar as an outlet for his anger. All that emotion is put into the amazing music that Metallica creates
Kirks Mother (Beautiful caring Woman) said in an interview Kirk is a very intense person~It shows all the time.....he is sincere in is interviews, NO BS~...
this is the best interview i've ever seen with Kirk ... and the most revealing of Kirk I've ever seen. THis is why it would be cool if they all wrote an album together again, like St. Anger. It would be cool to hear more melting of creative influences in the song structures. I love Metallica how they are, but i'll always be curious to hear them stretch ... like they did with Load etc. Kirk and Robert have a lot to offer in textures and such if they were encouraged to. Hmm.
i hear you but man the back lash they would get if they went back to a straight up Load type era hahahahah...they should create an alternate personality like what some other artists have done so they can create different styles of music. i like that they are mixing all the styles they've played in their music currently though but when they go back into thrash mode with songs like hardwired and spit out the bone just sound great coming from them. Personally would love to see Kirk and Robert do some solo projects because i agree they do have a lot to offer but of course for Metallica lars and james are the core so they control how much creative input the other two are allowed to put in.
energybengt Agreed. As much as I hated Lar's snare tone, the riffs were great and although Jane's vocals weren't the greatest they still had a lot of emotion.
Painting your nails has nothing to do with being angry? Kirk’s mostly the reason my brother and I paint our nails black, and we’re normally chill but when we’re angry we become new fucking people
@@D1ckGr4ys0n no it doesn't necessarily mean your angry I'm chill too for the most part...but for me I had anger issues twenty years ago and it was a way for me to control my anger like that or drawing stuff like that you know any kind of art really
Wow Kirk is so humble and down to earth. He is so clear in his message, my kinda guy. I love the way he plays i hope i can play like him one day. You are the fucking man Kirk.
He's absolutely right. I was around 14 years old when I first heard Master of Puppets. About to be 28 and it still gives me chills! My absolute favorite song!
The Scorpions are my all time favorite band. Love hearin Kirk talk about them and UFO. Master of Puppets is one of the best albums that came out in the 80s. Thats my favorite Album..From Metallica.
Oh Kirk ! The guy who got me playing guitar 9years ago when I was barely 12 years old. The memories , thank you for a life time of happiness with music\m/ .
He deserves more appreciation. He gets a lot of crap, but he is a solid guy and guitar player. He gets ridden hard over a wah but other players can use the whammy bar or Floyd... He can do fine without if people watched concerts, especially in their longer shows. He does so much good without bragging about it, too. Very humble, so humble it is that that probably keeps him at a certain level of recognition
Thanks so much for supporting my music, I’m so grateful and I hope you forever being my fan, I would like to honor you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you?
That part when he talks about anger.i relate alot to that.i never had a easy life and i know alot of us had or have it hard.but anger is a emotion i am used to going to.it may be a problem its not as bad as i was in my 20s but its still there.my music is very much threw my anger but not all.metallica was a huge reason why i picked up a guitar 22 years ago.music is a huge part of me.it helps me cope with things that i could not in other ways.its such a great way of expression its bigger than language its hard to explain.
This may be one of thd best interviews I have heard in years, if not in my entire life. Not only Kirk's answers, but let's give credit to the interviewer for the variety and quality of his questions, and then getting out of the way and affording Kirk the space in the conversation to respond naturally and thoroughly. The interviewer also asked good follow-ups that didn't seek to push Kirk's answers into a box that the interviewer wanted to hear, but instead helped the conversation be more interesting and insightful.
The only dude in metal without an ego....he always puts other artists in front of him....KIRK was always and will always be the perfect Lead-G for METALLICA. Perfecto.
Thanks so much for supporting my music, I’m so grateful and I hope you forever being my fan, I would like to honor you by giving you my personal information if that’s ok by you?
Nothing more true that Metallica's music informs you during your life, in which moment you are during a specific moment. It happened a lot of times to me.
great guitarist. i love how good he is live, his leads are challenging and physical, and so iconic that you can hear any mess up, but you never do, dude is always 100%, you can tell he takes his profession very seriously.
His comments on Puppets being a lifetime influence are so true. It was my favorite album when it was released and I still listen to it as if it had only been released last week. Personally, I'd put that album in the top 3 of all rock/metal albums of all time.
