Kirk Hammett vs James Hetfield Master of Puppets Riff

A comparison of Kirk Hammetts's original riff tape and the version that actually ended up on Master of Puppets (which was recorded, and probably modified by James). Obviously Kirk's is just recorded onto a demo tape, not into a studio like James's is, so obviously James will have a better tone and whatnot. That's not what I'm comparing. The overall style and feel of the riffs are also different, which is what I'm comparing. Kirk's sounds more early metal, kinda power metaly, whereas James's is more like proper Metallica. I just thought those two different styles of the riff were interesting. So to all of y'all being mad in the comments that it's an 'unfair' comparison, I'm not trying to compare which ones better, cause obviously the one recorded onto the song will be better than the one on a demo tape, I'm just comparing the different styles and feels of the two riffs. How the riff went from an early heavy metal, power metal kinda feel to proper thrash. And I do think Kirk's original version is pretty awesome, it just doesn't sound like proper Metallica. Just thought that the transformation of the riff was pretty cool and interesting and that it's pretty cool and interesting to hear how the riff originally sounded.
#shorts
#metallica
#jameshetfield
#kirkhammett
#masterofpuppets

[@themanguy189]

Kirk’s riff sounds VERY MUCH like Sabbath

[@BeaverStateOWS]

Yeah that tone is sick

[@lukemicsky3086]

I was gonna say the same thing, glad someone else thought the same

[@enricoagnelli369]

Nope, Maiden hallowed be thy name style

[@Edblue666]

​@@enricoagnelli369Maiden is very inspired by Sabbath and Deep Purple, much deeper purple than Sabbath, but both were inspirations

[@freddiesoverbite6162]

Sounds like Supertzar.

[@ElGrilledCheezus]

Kirk got that paranoid tone

[@zummazummabaccala]

bedroom amp vs multitrack full blown record

[@sbentsen2714]

One is a rough demo tape the other is the final finished product 😂

[@metaphoria3]

Those notes are kinda epicer tho

[@evanthorncraft8614]

Yes, because there is a slight adjustment in the tuning. So it might just be me, but if you're trying so shit on kirk's rhythm skills, maybe reconsider.

[@pm-1473]

You'r apsolutly right.Little stupid for compare,right ?

[@idorion9096]

​@@evanthorncraft8614 your projecting dude. He didn't try paint Kirk any way. Just highlighted that this is a demo and the studio version.

[@pm-1473]

@@idorion9096 Did you see the tittle ? James versus Kirk. So obviously ,poent is,dissallowing Kirk Hammet.

[@randomguy7895]

One is a demo and the other one is the finished product. Seems fair

[@user-ks7yi6lh5n]

Кирк хеммет и даже на студийных работах ужасно играет, раскройте свои уши бл

[@NoName-dz7ii]

​@@user-ks7yi6lh5nno one understands your barbarian language

[@user-ks7yi6lh5n]

@@NoName-dz7ii мне как-то пофек

[@daedrah2865]

@@user-ks7yi6lh5nugga bugga

[@ChupayaKun]

​@@user-ks7yi6lh5nunga unga buga buga

[@mcathawk1490]

Kirk’s sounds like an early riff tape

[@valntin9625]

it is

[@Melky_Man]

It literally is

[@mcathawk1490]

@@Melky_Man I know, that’s why I said that

[@joshuatyson1907]

@@mcathawk1490Then there was literally no reason to say it, stating it sounds like it implies you didn’t know what it is beforehand.

[@mcathawk1490]

@@joshuatyson1907 obviously, on a video that is comparing riffs between Kirk and James, it’s not fair to compare them when Kirk’s was a riff tape and James’ was the finished product. Get it?

[@lowe_the_showe202]

Kirk actually wrote that riff though

[@yassinbelkacem2545]

I think he'd just adjusted it

[@xXAscendingPhoenixXx]

@@yassinbelkacem2545No, that’s actually kirks riff

[@midnight347]

Yea the point is to compare the original ideal to what it became.

[@elkrumb9159]

@@xXAscendingPhoenixXxyeah but the final riff was the actual song

[@robmontoya42]

​@@elkrumb9159 reeally? 😅

[@user-fz4lx5le7f]

Kirk’s demo literally sounds like something Tony Iommi could’ve done in Paranoid album

[@robmontoya42]

Like 5 people already said that.😂

[@steveaustin106]

I think I have listened to this 500 times

[@jonathana9485]

Agreed

[@AMHoo-zy7cf]

Me too

[@Timetofly8888]

OCD Much ? Im guessing youre still trying to justify why each player is better than the other going in an Infinite loop!

[@hahdanghongha7810]

James is heavy, Kirk is more like poetry

[@salvadormeridian]

James is heavy, Kirk is poetry, Lars is dirty, Cliff is legendary 😁😁😁😁😁

[@Danumurti18]

Kirk's style is closer to Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante.. If he was in blues rock band or alternative rock, he will get much more respect.. I really like his variation in the third loop.

[@user-fo7zf9iv4w]

​@@salvadormeridianKirk is gay Roberts gay Lars is gay But the gayest is jaammeess.

[@Architect222]

Kirk’s has more adventure to it

[@GordonHeaney]

Poetry??? LOL

[@Always_in_C_standard]

I don't think I have ever heard Kirk's part solo'd before. Thanks!

[@ellis2890]

Sup, just to let u know the first part is the demo for that part of MOP and then the second one is the final release that was on the track. :)

[@Always_in_C_standard]

​@@ellis2890ahhh, got ya!

[@SamPlaysBass504]

Yeah sorry about the confusion. The riff is from Kirk's riff tapes, but James is the one who recorded it, and so I guess modified it to fit the song better. I thought it was interesting how it didn't always sound like how it does on master of puppets

[@Freddie_Jee]

I need a tab that was beautiful hahah

[@uGotSN1p3dB1cH]

There is no Kirk’s part lol he just did the solos

[@alienautopsy9326]

Say what you want about him now, but in the 80’s , Kirk was top ace , pushing the limits of the instrument with innovation like he did.

[@bushwxcker540]

That would be EVH no?

[@zedddddful]

Innovative and Kirk hammet are two words I'd never put together he's alright but you put him up against someone like Alex skolnick or Marty Friedman and the skill gap is laughably big.

[@Xplora213]

@@zedddddfulHammett has touched all but one or two of their best songs. One for example. It’s very much like Kerry King is recognised as Slayer by Jeff actually wrote all their best stuff.

[@Poop___6976]

one is recorded on an 8 track player, the other is recorded at sweet silence studio. Take a guess which one 😂

[@adameves5970]

The audio quality is not the discussion here.

[@Poop___6976]

@@adameves5970 its called a comment but you seem restarted

[@Augrills]

Both are awesome. Kirk has a little more finesse, James is a little tighter. And the tones go together

[@kirillmck]

Hhaha how beautifully you called the shitty game.... More finesse ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@Augrills]

@@kirillmck It is more finesse. There’s a whole different, more complex melodic fill at the end of the bar. The tone is shitty but when you hear it mixed, it’s what fits with James’s guitar, which has awesome tone because James is their rhythm guitarist and he’s louder in the mix for that part. Kirk is serving the song. It doesn’t sound good on its own, it sounds good in the context of the song. You can’t bust it out at guitar center and impress someone, but it sounds good on the record because it’s occupying a different space and makes James’s riff sound fuller People who played in bands get what Kirk does. Bedroom guitarists don’t like it because they’ve never served a song

[@kirillmck]

@@Augrills So this particular piece is not in the song, as far as I understood it from some demo recording where Kirk played. since they seemed to record the whole track at a slow pace on the record, then accelerated it on the tapes. I mean, according to this logic, almost any teenager who has been playing for about a year plays elegantly. After all, in terms of technique and attack, this is some kind of shit, crookedly played.(ps... sorry if it's not clear, I'm writing through a translator)

[@Augrills]

@@kirillmck if it’s a demo, that means Kirk came up with the riff, recorded it (not professionally) and James polished it then. Kirk has writing credit on the song and there’s like 5 riffs, so that must be his

[@aarongrimes6490]

​@@AugrillsJames recorded with both his and kirks guitar for master of puppets, Kirk just did the solo

[@dk_all_day9133]

That crunch. Fucking hell. Makes me smile and headband everytime

[@alexjandrogonzalesgomez2055]

Kitk Hammet s sound pre Thrash, like Merciful Fate, maybe Black Sabbath

[@josephdillard9907]

Kirk was the one who made and recorded the riff that part of the song was inspired by, that's what the first recording was. A rough recording on a 4 track, which he and James were both recording on constantly in their spare time. The second recording is the final version from the album after James tightened it up a bit and made it into a part of the song. For anyone who didn't already know.

[@austinjones8512]

You can all the talent is in Kirks left hand, but James has such a powerful and precise right hand, those chugs are undeniable, that’s why their riffs work so well, because together they cover both ends

[@ThePario1985]

Kirk Hammett tone is GOLD

[@kenk8072]

Sounds like a demo being compared to an actual recording so it's not really a comparison of the 2 guitar players.

[@omegaprowler3683]

Awesome, as always. I'm a huge action game fan and watch these kind of video is a joy. TYSM for all the hard work and love you put in your content.

[@BassPlayerCayden2009]

Kirk’s tone is amazing!!!!

[@silverspork86]

You joking

[@suleymanguzey1513]

First is Black Sabbath, second is Metallica

[@smb7647]

Love the raw right of the amp sound

[@40intrek]

They go good together, loved this song live back in those days..

[@blackraven7452]

James riff can take my soul

[@anderschristensen4072]

hetfeild are so tight

[@mattganci4731]

You type like you just discovered English

[@calzaperas]

The production*

[@yesseru]

It's the expansive recording equipment plus multitracking, Kirk is recording from home.

[@robmontoya42]

Hetfields are More simple to perform while singing

[@pieshot]

Both sound awesome. Very unique from one another, both their styles combined have created some of the finest music in history.

[@truthhurts79]

Difference is kirk plays it like a lead guitarist and James plays it like a rhythm player as they supposed to cuz that's how they play their positions

[@alanbadilla7003]

Kirk sounds like Tony Iommi.

[@Mechashiva76]

yeah, comparing a multi tracked studio recording to kirk's "riff tape" (where he was just jamming out the idea and probably improvising) is a good way to compare styles. smh so stupid

[@uome20bukz]

Not to mention Kirk’s playing in that riff tape is most likely a little on the sloppier, or less tight side BECAUSE of the fact that he was just jamming out a riff idea. If you’re coming up with new riffs you never have the finesse that you do once you’ve got the riff locked down and written as you intend for it to sound. You’re just mapping out the riff structure and notes, you don’t care about vibrato and really tight palm muting just yet. Kind of the same way as when I’m learning a song. I’m figuring out the notes and overall structure and getting used to playing it first. Adding the all the flair to it will come after.

[@Rajesh-tq6xq]

Kirk's riff combined with james' tone would be perfect

[@crocuscreekwoodworks]

They are Great together

[@shaneb203]

Definitely

[@Spartahhh]

James version is better as far as raw energy is concerned Kirks version sounds artsy nothing wrong with it just takes away from the ruggedness

[@jaredtandle2596]

James had to put some fuckin balls into the riff.

[@Girk_draws]

I'm gonna spend the next week just playing kirks one it sounds so lit

[@I.Have.No.Name.PorcoDio]

Kirk is my first time with the guitar tone and james is me with the master of puppets now

[@That80sGuitarist]

Kirks tone on this demo reminds of Michael Schenker, which makes sence because its one of his biggest influences 🤘 It sounds amazing

[@hideout2499]

the fact that kirk was just improvising when he created this one

[@danvpat]

Kirk’s is more rock and roll than

[@danielrabello1655]

That’s the first time I hear Kirk’s guitar that clearly!!

[@davidszachno2782]

Kirks riff was sick dude!

[@elschwanzos]

Kirks guitar philosophy: wah + pentatonic =👍

[@rodolforodriguez6230]

And your's what is ?

[@johnpaultrio]

They are a perfect duo because James is amazing on rhythm and kirk on solos

[@djhughes6406]

James is a hell of a guitarist

[@Cool_Guy_2437]

Now I want to play master of puppets thanks a lot for putting this song in my head

[@jacobfurst4266]

Love this and would love to see more if possible

[@metaphoria3]

Still in love with you is an epic classic

[@maxbesler7842]

How to get kirk tone on boss gt1😭😭😭

[@RoyMiller-kh2gisherbeare]

Hetfeild and hammet sound great TOGETHER!!!!

[@emilianolagos2305]

me encanta el sonido agresivo de james, pero la limpieza de kirk tiene su encanto

[@metaphoria3]

One of my fav solos 🔥🎸

[@animatedalbumcovers]

The most insane song and most intense riffs ever, Jesus Christ. What a title for a song, it’s the definition of Metal. No other song can surpass Master of Puppets. It’s freaking toxic. 🤘🏼❤️😂

[@Lucasl501]

I'd love to have the tabs for the early demo tape

[@timmzzzz88]

I'll work on it tomorrow. If possible I could send them to ya or something. It doesn't sound too hard. Beautiful though. I wonder now if he ever throws in some of his version every once in a while... 🤔

[@Lucasl501]

@@timmzzzz88 that would be awesome

[@WinnasVisionaryGuides]

kirk plays so much like a old sabbath song. holy crap id pay my soul to here master of puppets cover by ozzy and kriks riff itll sound so much like a lost sabbath song

[@xy914]

damn I really love music one of the few things in live that is always able to make me feel good I am gonna practice the MoP solo now, again and again and again since Idk man

[@lastprime10-11]

I like Kirk’s og riff but the simplicity of the update one is just simple that it works, but lowkey the og riff sound like a prelude to solo

[@Caramelo23606]

I like Kirk's demo, a chill, sabbath-like riff to smoke weed to. James was all about the grind!

[@jonathangerhardy4603]

Nothing like Rythm Guitar... You can hear the difference in tone!! But I still love Kirk Hammett 4 his guitar solos!!! Rock on My Brotha!!!💪💪🙏

[@rachelhicks5139]

Love the shirt James!❤

[@beejayduran3715]

Imagine Kirk stood in exodus , Dave never got fired , cliff would never have passed how would justice sound ?

[@colt5399]

FYI on the studio recording James played Kirk’s parts using his gear

[@ericlawhan7486]

The second riff appears to be the studio version but I kinda like the first riff too.😁

[@ritualafterlife]

Kirk's riff writing reference demo on an old school type cassette recorder the day he wrote it probably in the Kill Em All days when he was an infant. There's no vs. Its magic caught in a bottle for James to open and use on the most legendary metal song on the most legendary metal album.

[@kurt7331]

I realize now I messed up a lot in my coverage

[@wilhelmstubbe]

That Kirk's one, sounds like a riff you'd hear from Death's The Sound Of Perseverance, specially that 3rd repetition Sounds cool

[@F_G2309]

Kirk's is actually pretty cool ngl

[@adamsandstrom8470]

Kirk's riff was pretty sick!

[@barbaradykes7231]

Oh so so fine

[@Masontherizzer]

Kirks sounds like Black Sabbath and James sounds really metal James 🏅

[@AffinityAfflictionMusic]

I don’t think James has ever been out of time in his career 😂

[@Anon119]

Kirk has that sabbath bloody sabbath tone 💀

[@liamgordaneer5169]

Holy fuck that first one is tuff🔥

[@Ammargaming591YT]

That's was awesome, almost sound like N.I.B

[@joetroutt7425]

Both played together. Master(piece)

[@user-pd2ox6nj9q]

They are playing very cool

[@dan62273]

Kirks early solos were just amazing, but James definitely plays much tighter on the rhythm parts.

[@marcohammerdown]

The demo version is pretty epic, the polished one is ok for mainstream (cool anyway) stuff

[@satombff6010]

This should be a meme

[@Name-cp7oh]

Disposable heroes is so underrated 😭😭😭

[@gabrielteixeira7564]

Kirk has got all the medium frequencies James has scooped

[@terrystowers6085]

I look to Metallica for their contributions to the evolution of recording techniques. They worked with the greatest technicians and technological experts to get their sound onto various recording mediums, and they have been doing it for decades, so they are a bit of a scientific experiment that way. Listening here I can tell that the lead guitar has been stripped of its bottom end, which sounds like shit, until it’s in the mix and NOT adding unnecessary low end clutter. The rhythm section remains super chunky and tight, while Kirk just floats across the top of this pool of magma, with plenty of uncluttered frequency range to cut through. The overall effect is that the full recording is sonically balanced in various frequency ranges to create this full slab of sound that knocks you over and displeases your neighbors. 👍

[@grgadgo1307]

And thats why james is lead and kirk does the more complicated solos.

[@Petter_Rantala]

James is rythm??

[@lisaanderson7924]

Kirk is lead but sometimes James will play lead instead of rhythm.

[@exchlodus_]

dude its a demo tape its not gonna be the best standard. kirk can be a killer lead player

[@aerousops1806]

@@lisaanderson7924James played lead on like only 5 songs in metallica’s entire discography

[@lisaanderson7924]

@@aerousops1806 yes, that’s why I said James sometimes plays lead. I didn’t have the info to state an actual number but knew he’s the rhythm player. Thanks for sharing the number of songs with us. :)

[@luisgtz8725]

Even tho this is the same thing just one finished , James has said that Kirk is the one for solos while he likes to be melodic , anyways the two of them are gods .

[@jonathanryan2915]

The lead guitar demo track VS finished studio Rhythm guitar track

[@JakeStrange66]

Even though the part that's supposedly played by Kirk is a different version, it you insolate guitar tracks from the finished album they probably sound just as different. Because when a band has 2 or more guitar players, it wouldn't sound all that great if all of them had the exact same tone going on. (& sometimes it sounds really bad.) A guitar with a different tone, or that is EQ'd different than the other guitar (or both ) helps each guitar stand out in a mix a little bit better. Hope I explained that in a way that makes sense (just came out of surgery a while ago, still feeling whoosy) 😂

[@demonicon1]

Fuck....that mesa tone though!!

[@emmaxdd]

KIRKS RIFF SOUNDS LIKE SABBATHWHAT

[@miguelfaraco-940]

Bro 1:27 is a masterpiece

[@tio1000yo]

Que bien suenan las dos❤❤

[@RickyPunihaole-fo4hq]

James plays every rhythm guitar part on every Metallica record ever since Kill'em All. All Kirk does is come in and plays the solos. Facts.

[@scorpions1965]

Nice Samhain shirt

[@MaxHenson-lv2ov]

Hettfields is the remaster version I think but with the other sounds removed

[@TheDukeEsquire]

Together sound great

[@sonicultiva8817]

El tono de Kirk es impresionante 😍

[@jerrytoro4739]

What an asinine question Kurt Hammett made it perfectly clear but he's the lead guitar player in Hatfield is the rhythm guitar player and Hatfield plays rhythm better than Kurt Hammett does that's for damn sure but it feels not a lead guitar player but what it is is Kurt said my right hand is for leads and the left is Hatfield's rhythms which are extraordinary bottom line is is that Metallica works together as a unit not as individuals that are judging each other or having people I've heard Kurt Hammond talk about James hetfield and vice versa and they have a mutual respect for each other and they've worked phenomenally together all these years and all I can do is wish them the very best because they've paid their dues they've earned what they've got and they're the best metal band on Earth

[@Meddlingidiot78]

Love demo tapes 🔥🤙

[@Rednax_Official]

I love the demo tbh

[@user-zg9yo8ml7h]

Demo VS. Studio

[@PteropusAlecto]

James took all the life out of Kirk's riff honestly.

[@johnnywinford7789]

James is f*cking awesome 🤘😎🤘