As we celebrate Guitar Week on MetalMania Live, there’s no better way to honor the art of shredding than by diving deep into the mind of a true guitar icon: Kirk Hammett of Metallica. Over the last four decades, Hammett’s style has become an essential pillar of heavy metal guitar playing—melodic, fierce, and full of fire. But even legends start somewhere, and during his formative years, Kirk looked to the sounds of guitar titans from the ’70s to shape his path.
In a special collaboration with Heavy Consequence, Hammett shared 11 essential albums that shaped his musical development as an up-and-coming guitarist. From the soul-crushing riffs of Black Sabbath to the technical wizardry of Al Di Meola and the progressive stylings of Journey’s early days, this curated list offers a rare look into what inspired the young axeman before he became part of metal history.
To top it off, tonight’s MetalMania Live feature is a blistering live Metallica show from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL, part of their massive WorldWired Tour, performed on May 7, 2017. This monumental concert is the perfect soundtrack to pair with Kirk’s influential picks. So strap in—this is a deep dive into the music that forged a legend and a live show that proved Metallica still reigns supreme.
🎸 Kirk Hammett’s 11 Must-Have Albums for Guitarists
In no particular order, here are the albums that Kirk says every guitarist should spin—and why they mattered to him:
1. UFO – Strangers in the Night (1979)
This live record showcases the fiery brilliance of Michael Schenker, a key influence on Kirk. Schenker’s lead work is equal parts melodic, bold, and explosive. According to Hammett, this album is a masterclass in crafting solos that leave a lasting impact. “He’s at the top of his game,” Kirk notes, recommending it as a go-to record for players wanting to make statements with their solos.
2. Jeff Beck – Wired (1976)
Before Kirk ever picked up the guitar, this album mesmerized him—he thought everything he heard was guitar, including Jan Hammer’s synth parts. That confusion only added to the mystique. While Blow by Blow may get more acclaim, Kirk feels Wired is more energized and daring. It’s Beck pushing boundaries, and Kirk was all in.
3. Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy (1977)
When Kirk was 14 or 15, Elegant Gypsy sounded like an alien language. But that only drew him in more. Blazing speed, Latin textures, and precision made it unforgettable. It also connected to Kirk’s roots—being from San Francisco’s Mission District, he saw parallels between Di Meola’s Latin flair and Carlos Santana, who came from the same neighborhood.
4. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975)
This double LP is a songwriting tour de force. Hammett hails “Kashmir” as his all-time favorite Zep song, with “In the Light” and “In My Time of Dying” close behind. These tracks, for him, represent Zeppelin’s grandiosity and spiritual depth. A must for those who see guitar as storytelling.
5. Van Halen – Van Halen I (1978)
An absolute essential. Kirk puts it plainly: “Everyone should own this album.” Eddie Van Halen didn’t just play guitar—he reinvented it. His tapping technique, harmonic tricks, and riffing brought guitar playing into a new era. His upbeat, almost major-scale sensibilities gave Van Halen a unique “party-metal” vibe that’s never been duplicated.
6. Journey – Next (1977)
Before Steve Perry joined, Journey was a progressive rock band steeped in fusion, and Next is a hidden gem that showcases those experimental roots. Kirk, always proud of his San Francisco ties, connected deeply with early Journey’s ambitious musicianship. The complexity and fire in their guitar work make this one a surprising, rewarding listen.
7. Scorpions – Taken by Force (1977)
Uli Jon Roth’s playing on this album, especially on “The Sails of Charon,” left a major imprint on Hammett. Roth’s European style—using Phrygian dominant and harmonic minor scales—was ahead of its time and deeply influential on early metal’s evolution. Roth, like Schenker, belongs in any serious guitarist’s pantheon.
8. AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
Kirk praises Angus Young as one of the most emotional and feel-driven players in rock. Often underestimated due to the band’s party image, Angus brings bluesy grit and swing to his solos. Hammett emphasizes that every Angus solo means something—he’s never just filling space.
9. Black Sabbath – Sabotage (1975)
While Sabbath’s first three albums are often hailed as the genre’s blueprint, Hammett singles out Sabotage for its technical and compositional evolution. The game-changer here? “Symptom of the Universe,” a riff so vital it arguably kickstarted the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and thrash metal itself.
10. Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys (1970)
Hammett describes the song “Machine Gun” as a dark, atmospheric journey where every note carries weight. Hendrix’s live tone was unique—pitched somewhere between E-flat and D—and figuring it out took Kirk real effort. That attention to detail paid off, as Hendrix became a spiritual compass for mood and expression.
11. Tony Williams Lifetime – Lifetime: The Collection (1992)
Fusion drummer Tony Williams teamed up with Allan Holdsworth on these mid-’70s recordings, and the result was jazz fusion with the intensity of heavy metal. Kirk is in awe of Holdsworth’s reach—literally. With massive hand stretches and fluid interval choices, Holdsworth created harmonic shapes no one else could replicate. Even Eddie Van Halen took cues from him.
🔥 Featured Live Show: Metallica at Camping World Stadium, Orlando – May 7, 2017
Tonight’s MetalMania Live feature dives into an unforgettable performance from Metallica’s WorldWired Tour. On May 7, 2017, the band thundered through Camping World Stadium in Orlando, delivering a career-spanning setlist that left no doubt: Metallica is still at the top of their game.
Here’s a full breakdown of the night’s sonic assault:
Opening Ritual
- “The Ecstasy of Gold” (Ennio Morricone) – A sacred opener, Metallica’s traditional curtain-raiser.
Main Set
- Hardwired – A blast of modern thrash to ignite the show.
- Atlas, Rise! – Aggressive and intricate; proof Metallica’s still innovating.
- For Whom the Bell Tolls – The iconic bell tolls, and the crowd roars.
- Fuel – High-octane fury from Reload.
- The Unforgiven – Haunting and emotional, balancing heaviness with reflection.
- Now That We’re Dead – Featured a tribal drum segment with all band members joining Lars.
- Moth Into Flame – A newer classic with ferocious riffs and precision.
- Wherever I May Roam – A crowd favorite, rich with Eastern flair.
- Halo on Fire – An atmospheric epic, showcasing Metallica’s dynamic range.
- Kirk and Rob Doodle – A fun jam session that sampled Le Freak, I Disappear, and Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth).
- Hit the Lights – A return to the Kill ’Em All era; raw thrash energy.
- Sad but True – Thick, pounding grooves shook the stadium.
- One – Pyros. Solos. Power. Enough said.
- Master of Puppets – Arguably their most definitive song—delivered flawlessly.
- Fade to Black – Dark, moving, unforgettable. Introduced with a Through the Never film clip featuring Eye of the Beholder.
- Seek & Destroy – Crowd in full singalong mode. Total thrash celebration.
Encore
- Fight Fire With Fire – Opened the encore with blazing speed and chaos.
- Nothing Else Matters – Emotional and intimate; a global fan favorite.
- Enter Sandman – Closed the night with a bang, complete with a surprise Frayed Ends of Sanity outro.