Metallica’s Kirk Hammett Talks Guitar-Smashing Writer’s Block and How He Broke the Habit

While watching Metallica reach iconic levels of stardom over the years, Kirk Hammett gained high praise for his talents with a guitar. Rolling Stone even placed him on their list of Greatest Guitarists of All Time. But while Hammett continued to showcase his talent on and off the stage, the musician recently discussed the process of writing a song. Just like any other songwriter, Hammett struggled with writer’s block. And letting it get the best of him, Hammett admitted the process made him want to smash his guitar. 

Sitting down with Total Guitar magazine, Hammett gave fans a look into the writing process and how he learned to let it happen naturally. “Don’t think about the past or what has been done. Don’t think about the future and what you need to do. Just see what you can grab in the moment. That’s how I write music, and it has turned me into a more prolific composer because I don’t get stuck like I used to. I used to get writing blocks for months and months and months, and not write a riff for months, and get frustrated about it, and think about smashing my guitar. That doesn’t happen anymore.”

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Kirk Hammett Insists There Are No Bad Guitar Solos

Once worried about the music and wanting to entertain fans, Hammett explained how he took notice of his surroundings. While believing some songs didn’t hit the mark, the musician said, “If you’re out there and you’re touring, and you’re making albums, and you’re recording, there is no way you suck. And so I can’t stop being bewildered by all these people who say, ‘This guy sucks! That guy sucks!’ Hey, I’ve got news for you – you don’t get to where you’re at if you f****** suck! Okay? These people are talking on 10 percent of what they see in all of these people musically. It’s incredible. I don’t think anyone really sucks.”

While falling into the trap of negativity in the past, Hammett insisted there are no bad guitar solos like in the 60s.  “I don’t think bad guitar solos even exist anymore because everyone is just so much better than they used to be. Like, in the ’60s there were bad guitar solos.”

 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)