Metallica Guitarist Kirk Hammett Announces First Solo EP

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Kirk Hammett, the guitar-maestro of Metallica, has just announced his first ever solo EP titled Portals! The four-track EP is a departure from Hammett’s work in Metallica, offering a more atmospheric, soundtrack-like quality from the brilliant thrasher. Available in a variety of formats, and available to purchase at the Met Store and local independent retailers, Portals will be released April 23rd in celebration of Record Store Day. The EP can also be purchased via Metallica.com.

In a statement on Metallica’s website, Hammett shares that, “Initially, before I even had the idea for a solo EP, I was inspired by the need to create some sort of soundtrack music to accompany The Kirk Hammett Collection for the first ‘It’s Alive’ exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, 2017. I wanted to conceive music to play on a loop in the background as people walked through the exhibit. I sat down one night with a progression, and before I knew it, all the parts were there for ‘Maiden and the Monster.’”

He continues, “The initial concept for Portals started with that one song. Following that, I realized I could create different soundtrack moments. These songs are what I call ‘Audio Cinematic;’ I’m creating sounds and pieces of music for the movies playing in my head. Hopefully they’ll create movies in other people’s heads in a similar fashion.”

Portals looks to be a soundscape of Hammett’s passions; influenced by his love for classical music, soundtracks, horror movies, and partially inspired by that of the late Italian composer Ennio Morricone. Featuring musical guests performing alongside him, Hammett’s Portals looks to be a unique view into the musician’s creative mind. We may not hear much of his iconic thrashing, but rather, be invited into a captivating, chilling world of cinematic music.

Portals tracklist:

“Maiden and the Monster”

“The Jinn”

“High Planes Drifter”

“The Incantation”

Metallica

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Words by: Michael Pementel