James Hetfield

Latest about James Hetfield

Dave Mustaine of Megadeth [left] plays his signature Gibson Flying V live. On the right, an archive pic of Metallica frontman James Hetfield playing his white V copy, in his element circa 1984

Dave Mustaine reveals why Megadeth are covering Metallica on their final album

By Jonathan Horsley published

Megadeth's new album will find Mustaine and co playing a Metallica classic, co-written by Mustaine in the early days, and MegaDave promises us we've never heard Ride the Lightning like this before

Guitarists
James Hetfield of Metallica during K-Rock DFP-7-Tarium at Giants Stadium in E. Rutherford, New Jersey, United States.

Meet Dino Muradian, the pyrographer who makes a living burning artwork into stars’ guitars

By Phil Weller published

Defecting from his home country by flying himself over the border, the Romanian pilot wound up making guitar art for Metallica, B.B. King and the ESP Custom Shop

Guitars
A still from a YouTube video featuring Kirk Hammett in a white T-shirt with "Let's Go" written on the front. Guitar amps are in the backgound.

Metallica spark Mesa/Boogie mystery as unidentified amp spotted in ESP Guitars video. Could this be a James Hetfield signature?

By Jonathan Horsley published

Speculation surrounding this unidentified chugging object has been ongoing since 2017 when it was spotted in Metallica's studio

Guitar Amps
Jason Momoa and his James Hetfield OGV replica: Mamoa plays a red-orange Fender bass guitar and wears his trademark hat. His heavy relic'd Metallica replica guitar rests beside its case and against an old station wagon.

Jason Momoa orders super-gnarly replica of James Hetfield’s iconic white Elektra OGV

By Jonathan Horsley published

Momoa's downstroke game better be on point because Krupi Guitars went to town on recreating the guitar that made Metallica

Electric Guitars
Joe Duplantier ESP

Joe Duplantier explains how he started playing ESP guitars – and why he’s still playing Charvels

By Janelle Borg published

The Gojira guitarist stunned gearheads with his custom ESP at last year's Paris Olympics opening ceremony – now, he's explaining his relationship with the guitar brand

Guitarists
Metallica, portrait, NECArena, Birmingham, UK, 29th August 1996.

Bob Rock says Metallica's divisive Load album redefined the Hetfield-Hammett guitar partnership

By Phil Weller published

New influences, a change in production methods, and moving away from thrash led to the pair switching up their tandem

Guitarists
Cory Wong wears a green tracksuit and plays his blue Highway Strat. James Hetfield plays his white Flying V copy on a stage lit up in green.

What funk maestro Cory Wong learned from James Hetfield

By Cory Wong published

Papa Het has got a brand new bag when it comes to downpicking, and it’s full of lessons for the funk guitar player

Artist Lessons
Wes Borland and James Hetfield

Wes Borland cosplays as an ’80s-era James Hetfield while opening for Metallica

By Phil Weller published

The attention to detail, right down to his guitar of choice and the 'mod' he's made to it, needs to be applauded

Guitarists
Gary Holt with arms out wide as Exodus play Alcatraz Metal Fest, Belgium. He plays his signature ESP single-cut.

Gary Holt on his thrash metal redemption, balancing Exodus and Slayer – and why even Hetfield cheats on downpicking

By Jon Wiederhorn published

Exodus and Slayer mainstay Gary Holt reveals what compelled him to finally roll up his sleeves and unflinchingly tell his life story

Guitarists
American songwriter, guitarist, lead vocalist and founding member of Metallica James Hetfield performs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Pavillion in Chicago, IL on April 5, 1986.

Want to play Master of Puppets the right way? Here's how to get faster at downpicking so you can chug like James Hetfield

By Jamie Hunt published

Downpicking is a fundamental and powerful pick stroke, and one of the mainstay techniques in metal and punk

Techniques
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