Metallica’s Kirk Hammett recently talked to Rick Beato about his bandmate James Hetfield, saying that Hetfield is pretty much the same in this regard, more, Hammett explained the difference between him and James Hetfield’s way of playing.
Here’s what Hammett said:
“James is the same way, and it’s always been that way. It’s always been that way for him, and it’s always been that way for me.”
“And you know, the fortunate thing when James and I first started playing together as we basically came come from the same musical places. You know, it’s just like Sabbath. You have fall, you know, Aerosmith kiss, Van Halen. And then Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, New Wave of British Heavy Metal Motorhead.”
“We like the same stuff. We like the same guitar sounds. Him and I basically, you know, even though he grew up in Southern California, and I come from Northern California, we’re very, very similar players.”
Hammett added:
“The only difference is I play more leads. That’s the only difference you know, and his route is right hand is so precise. You know, my left hand, I got a lot of my precision in my left hand, his precision is in his right hand.”
“And we’ve learned so much from each other. And you know, James, I love him. I love him as a musician. I love him as a brother, but it’s hard being a band with him.
”Because sometimes he shows up, and he’ll play something. I’m like, ‘Where did that come from?!’ I’ve never heard anyone play something like that. And it’s still coming!”