Kirk Hammett of Metallica Unveils His Debut Solo Album Plans: A Unique Fusion of Styles

Delve into the exciting journey of Kirk Hammett as he reveals his debut solo album, promising a fusion of diverse musical styles.

Exciting News from Kirk Hammett

Kirk Hammett, the renowned guitarist of Metallica, has recently shared that he is in the midst of crafting his first-ever solo album. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he expressed that this upcoming project will be "a fusion of all sorts of styles." This exciting revelation comes as he promotes his new coffee table book, The Collection: Kirk Hammett, which explores his extensive guitar collection and reflects on his musical journey.

A Blend of Styles

During the interview, Hammett elaborated on his creative process, saying, “I guess the best way to describe it is it’s gonna be a fusion of all sorts of styles.” He mentioned that his writing process has been quite eclectic lately, noting:

“All of a sudden I’m writing classical progressions, and all of a sudden I’m writing more heavy stuff and all of a sudden I’m writing like a funk thing.”

What’s more, he indicated that this album will feature vocals, a departure from his previous solo instrumental work. “There will be vocals because the songs that I wrote scream for vocals this time around,” Hammett stated.

The Mysterion and Vocal Collaborations

Hammett has a specific instrumental piece in mind titled The Mysterion, which he describes as sounding “like it’s 2000 years old.” The inspiration for this piece stems from his readings of ancient Greek texts, which have profoundly influenced his music. He shared:

“It’s amazing to me because I wouldn’t have had this instrumental if I didn’t start reading these ancient texts.”

As for the vocals, he’s uncertain who will take on that role, humorously adding, “I hope I’m not – I already have too much to do on stage.”

Metallica's Next Chapter

Aside from his solo endeavors, Hammett also revealed that he has written a staggering 767 new riffs for the next Metallica album, although he anticipates that the band won't start working on it “for at least another year.” Fans can still enjoy Metallica’s ongoing M72 World Tour, which kicked off in April 2023, and will resume in Syracuse, New York, in April. The tour is set to conclude on November 19 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Back to the '90s?

Hammett shared thoughts on the potential direction for the next Metallica album, saying:

“Who knows? We might just say, ‘Okay, let’s go back to the Nineties again’. It’s not a bad idea!”

He reminisced about the backlash that Load and Reload received upon their release, yet noted that many fans today appreciate that era of their music.

Exciting Ventures Ahead

In addition to his solo album and Metallica tour, Hammett mentioned that Metallica is partnering with Apple Vision Pro to create an “immersive” new VR film concert. They are also scheduled to appear in the final Black Sabbath show in Birmingham, England, in July.

As Kirk Hammett embarks on this thrilling journey of creating his debut solo album, fans can anticipate an innovative blend of sounds and styles. Which styles are you hoping to hear on his new project?

• What is Kirk Hammett's debut solo album about?
  It will be a fusion of various musical styles with both instrumental and vocal elements.
• Will there be vocals on the solo album?
  Yes, Hammett has mentioned that the songs he has written "scream for vocals."
• How many riffs has Hammett written for the next Metallica album?
  He has written 767 new riffs for the upcoming Metallica album.
• When will the next Metallica album be worked on?
  Hammett believes the band won't begin working on it for at least another year.
• What other projects is Metallica involved in?
  They are creating a new VR film concert with Apple Vision Pro and will perform at the final Black Sabbath show in July.

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