Metallica

Latest about Metallica

Scott Reeder plays his left-handed bass (with right-handed strings) and wears a purple shirt. Lars Ulrich (right) points and holds two drums sticks in his hand.
Scott Reeder on the time he auditioned for Metallica – after Lars Ulrich cold-called him

By Jonathan Horsley Published

Reeder didn't get the Metallica gig but the stoner-rock bass icon got a helluva story out of it – and the silver medal in the metal Olympics

Bassists
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 Newsted (L) and Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform the finale at Day One of the bands' 30th Anniversary shows at The Fillmore on December 5, 2011 in San Francisco, California.
When Jason Newsted swapped bands with Robert Trujillo

By Karl Coryat Published

Why Jason Newsted got the call from Ozzy – and what lay in store for Robert Trujillo, who signed with Newsted’s old band, Metallica

Bassists
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
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
Mesa/Boogie’s Mark IIC++ was used by Metallica to shape the sound of 1980s metal – and now it’s been released for the first time ever

By Matt Owen Published

Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield's Crunch Berries amp, which was only ever made as an unofficial mod exclusive only to artists, gets its first-ever wide release

Guitar Amp Heads
American guitarist Tim Henson of the band Polyphia performs live on stage at the annual Rock Am Ring festival at Nuerburgring on June 09, 2024 in Nuerburg, Germany / Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich of Metallica perform at Levi's Stadium on June 20, 2025 in Santa Clara, California
Tim Henson addresses Kirk Hammett’s mixed response to his ‘boomer bends’ comments

By Matt Owen Published

Hammett recently had his own say on the boomer bends controversy, questioning how accessible the Polyphia virtuoso’s style is for casual listeners

4 Comments
Guitarists
Kirk Hammett of Metallica performing at Bergenhus Fortress on August 20, 2015 in Bergen, Norway. Photo of Cliff BURTON and METALLICA; Cliff Burton, posed, studio
Before Robert Trujillo and Jason Newsted, Cliff Burton set the musical bar for Metallica and established an indelible legacy

By Nick Wells Published

Cliff Burton’s playing style may have been an offbeat fit for the cutting-edge thrash of Metallica, but it worked perfectly

Bassists
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
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