Kirk Hammett, the wah-wielding wizard of Metallica, has shredded countless solos that shaped the sound of modern metal. But when asked which solo he’s proudest of, he didn’t pick the iconic leads from “One,” “Fade to Black,” or even “Master of Puppets.”
Instead, Hammett gave the crown to a deeper cut from Death Magnetic — “The Unforgiven III.”
“It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done,” Hammett shared in a recent interview. “Every note counts, every note fits perfectly. It has melody, drama, emotion, and the phrasing just works.”
Released in 2008, Death Magnetic was a return to form for Metallica — a modern thrash statement after the experimentation of Load, Reload, and St. Anger. But it’s “The Unforgiven III” that gave Hammett a space to slow things down and deliver a soul-crushing, atmospheric solo, showing fans he’s as much an emotive player as a technical one.
🎧 Hear It Live on Metallica Live Radio – Every Friday Night on MetalManiaLive
You can catch rare live versions of “The Unforgiven III” and other Kirk highlights on Metallica Live Radio, airing every Friday night exclusively on MetalManiaLive. We dig deep into the archives to bring you:
- Raw Kill ’Em All-era shows
- Stadium-filling Black Album tours
- Deep cuts from Hardwired… to Self-Destruct
- …and of course, face-melting solos from Hammett himself
Hammett also reflected on how his relationship with solos has evolved. Back in the Ride the Lightning and Justice days, it was all about technical precision and speed. But now?
“It’s about serving the song,” he says. “I want each solo to tell a story. Not just be a showcase.”
So while fans will always worship the whiplash riffs of “Creeping Death” or the divebomb madness of “Battery,” Hammett’s choice reminds us that sometimes the heaviest thing a guitarist can do is feel every note.
🔥 Tune into Metallica Live Radio – Fridays at 10 PM (ET) on MetalManiaLive
It’s the only show where metal legends never sleep, and the solos never fade. Want the full schedule or to request your favorite deep cut? Just shout, and we’ll make it metal.
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