Metallica

Latest about Metallica

Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett on Gibsons, the magic of Greeny and why he thinks the age of active pickups is over

By Jamie Dickson Published

The Metallica lead guitarist discusses Peter Green's influence, the magic of a Gibson P.A.F. pickup, and how owning Greeny has been a life-changing experience

Guitarists
Close-up of pick-shaped logo sign at Guitar Center store in Emeryville, California with logo visible, November 12, 2025
Guitar Center CEO on why Stairway to Heaven was banned in guitar stores

By Janelle Borg Published

All roads – or stairways – lead to a scene from a certain 1990s comedy classic

Music Industry
Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs live for SiriusXM at Stephen Talkhouse to celebrate the launch of the “Maximum Metallica” channel on SiriusXM on August 28, 2025 in Amagansett, New York
Kirk Hammett adds Gojira guitarist's signature guitar to his touring arsenal for Metallica's London extravaganza

By Janelle Borg Published

Metallica wrapped up their mammoth M72 World Tour in London this weekend with two stadium shows – and Gojira as support on the first night

Guitarists
Kirk Hammett and Neal Schon comp
Kirk Hammett bought Neal Schon’s Les Paul for so little that he offered it back to his hero

By Phil Weller Published

The guitar sold for a five-figure sum, but Hammett feels it was a bargain

Guitarists
Metallica, portrait, Berlin, Germany, 9th October 1996
Kirk Hammett didn’t play rhythm guitar on Metallica's first five albums. That all changed with 1996’s controversial Load

By Janelle Borg Published

In an attempt to explore new musical directions, Hammett was summoned to share rhythm guitar duties with James Hetfield, helping to kickstart a new phase for Metallica

Guitarists
Kirk Hammett from Metallica performs at Marvel Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia
Kirk Hammett tumbles off stage as Metallica pay tribute to Thin Lizzy in Ireland

By Phil Weller Published

The band’s first of two nights in Dublin saw Hammett embark on some unplanned choreography during a thrash classic

Guitarists
American heavy metal band Metallica performing live at Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, on 10 February, 2018
How a late-night drinking session with Lars Ulrich almost ruined Robert Trujillo’s Metallica audition

By Nick Wells Published

Robert Trujillo was announced as Metallica's new bassist on February 24, 2003, following a two-day try-out for the metal giants

Bassists
(from left) Mark Gallagher, Rob "Wacko" Hunter, and John Gallagher, of the English heavy metal band Raven, pose for a group portrait at The Kabuki Theater in San Francisco, California on June 7, 1984
The thrash metal bands who deserved to make it – but didn’t

By David Konow Published

For every success story like Metallica from the ‘80s metal movement, there are countless bands who didn’t make it. Some of them never gave up

5 Comments
Bands
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth (L) and James Hetfield of Metallica perform during night four of the band's 30th Anniversary at The Fillmore on December 10, 2011 in San Francisco, California.
How James Hetfield wrangled Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax for metal's biggest reunion

By Brad Angle Published

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett explain the origins of the Big 4 shows – which united Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax on one historic bill

Guitarists
Jason Newsted
Jason Newsted explains how addiction struggles led to his Metallica departure

By Phil Weller Published

The bassist says he was a “horrible addict” and needed to leave the band for his own sake

Bassists
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives