Metallica's Kirk Hammett Declares Judas Priest the True Founders of Heavy Metal
He praises Judas Priest’s influence, challenging Metallica-centric views on heavy metal’s beginnings.
- Kirk Hammett credits Judas Priest as the true architects of heavy metal, pushing back on claims that metal started with Metallica.
- During the Power Trip festival, Hammett and Hetfield were spotted jamming and singing along to Priest’s set, just like any other fans.
- Hammett expressed how rare it is to catch other bands live, but the chance to see Priest, Iron Maiden, and others made for an unforgettable experience.
Kirk Hammett isn’t here to play revisionist history with metal. When the drummer Carmine Appice tossed out the claim that heavy metal only began with Metallica, some folks had a field day. Fans and critics alike rolled their eyes, rattling off names like Black Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, and Deep Purple—legends who were tearing it up well before Metallica even got started in 1981.
But recently, Hammett himself weighed in, and he didn’t mince words. According to him, if there’s a single band that can claim the title of “heavy metal’s architects,” it’s got to be Judas Priest.
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During a Q&A session at the Metallica: The Black Album in Black & White event in Munich last May, Hammett, joined by bassist Robert Trujillo and photographer Ross Halfin, shared a little behind-the-scenes admiration.
The trio discussed a snapshot of Hammett and James Hetfield jamming along like any other diehard fans during Judas Priest’s set at the recent Power Trip festival. The image captured them, air guitars out, mouthing the lyrics—two metal icons acting just as awestruck as any fan in the crowd.
With unfiltered enthusiasm, Hammett explained, “We were worshipping at the altar of Judas Priest. Their music means so much to us. And the way Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing played the guitars—these guys are the architects of what we now call heavy metal, to put it bluntly. And James and I, we love Priest.”
He continued, “We don’t often get the chance to actually watch other bands at festivals—usually, we’re backstage, either doing press, preparing for our own set, or rehearsing. But Power Trip? We showed up early, a good few days ahead, just to take in the other bands. Seeing Iron Maiden, Priest, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses… that was something else. It was a blast.”
Of course, Appice’s comments came out after Hammett’s declaration, yet the debate keeps evolving, depending on who you ask. Each musician’s take adds a fresh twist to the story, though one thing remains: heavy metal isn’t the creation of a single band but a genre shaped by everyone involved. It thrives on the dedication of fans who, like Kirk and James, still show up early, blast their favorites, and worship at metal’s untamed altar.
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