HARD ROCK
FORUM
Post by Monsters of Rock on Mar 28, 2021 20:39:46 GMT 10
James Hetfield
James Hetfield may not be one of the flashiest guitarists on this list, but when it comes to pummeling thrash, the Metallica frontman has the rhythm spot locked down. While his counterpart, Kirk Hammett, plays the sizzling leads, Hetfield is busy busting out timeless riffs found on “Fight Fire With Fire,” “Master of Puppets” and so many more classic ‘Tallica tracks. With a steady right hand, he anchored the band’s rhythmic attack as even bassist Cliff Burton was playing lead melodies on his four strings.
Loudwire
There were precedents for the palm-muted, ultra-percussive chug James Hetfield gave Metallica (Judas Priest, Motörhead), but he made it the gold standard of Eighties metal. He's never been a monochromatic headbanger, though, delving early on into the delicate picking of "Fade to Black" and later embracing the more nuanced hard rock of the Black Album. "I wonder if James Hetfield knows how to play the drums," Dave Grohl once said. "Because basically he's taking care of the percussion and melody of Metallica's songs with his guitar. And it's great."
Key Tracks: "Seek and Destroy," "Master of Puppets"
Rolling Stone
James Hetfield may not be one of the flashiest guitarists on this list, but when it comes to pummeling thrash, the Metallica frontman has the rhythm spot locked down. While his counterpart, Kirk Hammett, plays the sizzling leads, Hetfield is busy busting out timeless riffs found on “Fight Fire With Fire,” “Master of Puppets” and so many more classic ‘Tallica tracks. With a steady right hand, he anchored the band’s rhythmic attack as even bassist Cliff Burton was playing lead melodies on his four strings.
Loudwire
There were precedents for the palm-muted, ultra-percussive chug James Hetfield gave Metallica (Judas Priest, Motörhead), but he made it the gold standard of Eighties metal. He's never been a monochromatic headbanger, though, delving early on into the delicate picking of "Fade to Black" and later embracing the more nuanced hard rock of the Black Album. "I wonder if James Hetfield knows how to play the drums," Dave Grohl once said. "Because basically he's taking care of the percussion and melody of Metallica's songs with his guitar. And it's great."
Key Tracks: "Seek and Destroy," "Master of Puppets"
Rolling Stone
