Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett has made no effort to hide his undying admiration for Black Sabbath. The California-born rocker, 62, shouts out Ozzy Osbourne & Co. any chance he gets. During a recent interview with Consequence, Hammett discussed the band’s singular guitar riff that he believes changed heavy metal forever. And his answer may surprise you.
Videos by American Songwriter
Metallica’s Kirk Hammett: This Riff “Literally Breathes New Life Into Heavy Metal”
Replacing Dave Mustaine as Metallica’s lead guitarist in 1983, Kirk Hammett cut his teeth on Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. So it’s unsurprising that he lists Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys and Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti as must-have albums for any guitar player.
And of course, Hammett says Black Sabbath’s first three albums “are like gospel” to metalheads. Specifically, the Exodus co-founder lists the 1975 song “Symptom of the Universe” as one that changed heavy metal forever.
Composed by guitarist Tony Iommi, the “Symptom of the Universe” riff “encapsulates the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and thrash metal as as we know it,” Hammett told Consequence.
“That song literally breathes new life into heavy metal,” Hammett said. “Just that song in terms of the attitude, the choice of notes, how it was played, and the fact that it was just the main part of the song and the hooks of it. Once you hear that riff, you’ll always hear it again and again.
He continued, “It’s just an amazing riff. That riff in itself shifted heavy metal and I have to give that album and that particular song a lot of credence.”
Metallica Will Honor Black Sabbath This Summer
On July 5, Black Sabbath will cap off a nearly 60-year career with the Back to the Beginning concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park. The original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will reunite onstage for one final time.
Along with Pantera, Slayer, and others, Metallica is also on the bill—and Kirk Hammett can’t wait to give the genre’s founding fathers their flowers.
“If it wasn’t for those four guys, man, we might still be just kind of like wandering around in the dark,” he said.
Continuing, Hammett added, “I love those guys. I have love for them for what they did. And I just want them to know that I’m just extremely thankful, ’cause my life would be extremely different if they didn’t do what they did.”
Featured image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.