KIRK HAMMETT Opens Up About Comparing Himself To New Guitarists: 'Where Did I Go Wrong? I Should Be Much Better'
Kirk Hammett might have four decades with Metallica under his belt, but if you ask him, he’s not exactly resting on his reputation.
In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, the longtime guitarist was asked to reflect on how he sees himself as a player.
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His response? Self-deprecating, funny, and more grounded than you might expect from someone with billions of Spotify streams.
“I should be way better than I am,” he admitted, with a laugh. “I see these younger guitarists and think, ‘Where did I go wrong?’ Ha ha ha.”
Still, Hammett isn’t losing sleep over it. Far from obsessing over technical showmanship or fretboard gymnastics, he’s sticking to what feels right, his style, his energy, and the emotional weight behind every note.
“It’s hard for me to say where I stand in all of this,” he added. “But I really enjoy playing the way I play. I know that if I keep putting heart into it, someone out there will connect with it. I don’t need to show off or act like a jerk saying, ‘Hey, check out this three-octave arpeggio with tapping in the middle.’ I couldn’t care less. I’ve always played with a certain explosive flair. That’s how I’ve been since back when I was just jamming in my bedroom.”
Right now, Hammett is back on the road with Metallica, taking the M72 World Tour across the globe. The band is supporting their 2023 album, 72 Seasons, with a run of shows that continues to fill stadiums and parking lots with thousands of black T-shirts and air guitars.
For someone who’s been through it all, Monsters of Rock, Napster lawsuits, St. Anger snares, it’s refreshing to see Hammett treat the craft less like a competition and more like a lifelong relationship.
One with plenty of feedback, flaws, and, yes, fuzz pedals.
About Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett is the lead guitarist of Metallica, having joined the band in 1983 following the departure of Dave Mustaine.
Prior to Metallica, he was a founding member of Exodus, a key band in the Bay Area thrash scene. Hammett has contributed to every Metallica studio album since Ride the Lightning and is known for his use of the wah pedal, melodic solos, and improvisational style.
Beyond Metallica, he has pursued side projects, including the horror-themed Portals EP released in 2022.
Hammett is also recognized for his extensive collection of horror memorabilia and vintage guitars.
While often praised for his stage presence and tone, his technical skills have occasionally drawn criticism, which he has acknowledged in interviews.
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