Top 5 Worst Kirk Hammett Solos - AHDB

He's part of the biggest metal band in the world, and written some killer solos in his career. However, Kirk Hammett has had his share of bad solos and Andyb gives you his 5 least favourite.

[@d.a.5161]

I dissagre with the Devil Dance's Solo, it really fits well with the song.

[@Taxable_Trophy]

Agreed.

[@huntzzio]

Me too! On its own, it’s not a great solo but it goes well with the song. It definitely could be better though.

[@eraz9587]

Outlaw torn outro solo is really good and fits the song even if it makes the song longer

[@guitaraholic83]

That was James.

[@dansch19]

People always look at me funny but I always thought James was the better soloist. No he can't touch 10% of Kirks technique but he is the soul of the music of Metallica and his solos show he has musicality and taste even if he lacks solo chops. Kirk reached a peak with his style soloing with AJfA over fast thrash riffs and lots of changes but from Black on he doesn't have a single solo that fits the music the way the solo from Nothing else matters or Thorn within does. I'll take James soloing any day.

[@shred9475]

Yeah about that that's james

[@Ashtin18]

Literally I struggled with the picks in this vid, but he said outro solo for Outlaw Torn, right? Won't judge someone for their feelings but, not Kirk and it's amazing. One of my fav songs for 20+ years

[@murk4552]

​​@@dansch19you're a nincompoop, 5 albums of mostly melodic solos you practically ignored just to suck Jame's dick. Maybe that's why everyone looks at you funny. Kirk's Unforgiven solo is way better than any of Jame's solo, including that gorgeous interlude that Kirk also does before his infamous, dirtier solo comes in. Tell me how the fuck James has ANY solo as good as Kirk on "Ride The Lightning", "Creeping Death", "Disposable Heroes" "Welcome Home", "One", etc. Maybe I'll give you a point, which would be never. Kirk's slow solo in "Sad But True" is even better than all of Jame's slow solos.

[@robbieclark7828]

I can’t believe how many absolutely integral riffs Kirk wrote for the band. The chorus riff of Fade To Black, the breakdown in Creeping Death, the pre-chorus from Master of Puppets, the verse riff of Disposable Heroes, the breakdown of Damage Inc, Enter Sandman, the chorus riff of The Unforgiven, the breakdown of Through The Never. Some of my favorite riffs are there, and for some, in the case of Creeping Death, Master of Puppets, Damage Inc. and Through The Never, they are pretty much the best parts of the songs.

[@scriptureexamined4664]

James: I need a solo! Kirk: wah?

[@emmit4259]

The end of the Line solo is basically just every kerry king solo

[@Shadow.w]

what the outro solo to outlaw torn is james not kirk. and kirk's solo is A+ material.

[@phantom_wolf5274]

I think the problem is that Kirk probably doesn’t have the greatest sense of creative freedom in Metallica, they seem to want him to play more lively sounding stuff which makes sense considering live performances is what Metallica is all about and what makes them so great, but at this point it’s gotten too much, and too prove that Kirk Hammett is still an amazing and capable guitarist, his solo instrumental EP called “Portals” he sounds amazing, he really shows what he’s capable of and can probably do even better if he wanted to, Metallica needs to give him more creative freedom in the band and allow him to let his creativity run wild

[@otto10000ify]

The Carpe Diem Baby solo is also played by James on the Reload record.

[@risoju]

I´ve always said that Death Magnetic its so cool and underrated despite the loudness, and The End of the Line its a great song that I really like, but the guitar solo its just terrible... Probably the worst guitar solo from Metallica.

[@dimlightbulb10]

Wah wah wahwahwah wah wah wah wah wahwahwah *fiddly guitar noises*

[@tankista5885]

Imo End of the Line solo is pretty good

[@BhomiaG]

Suicide and Redemption has great solo....idk for the wah on that it just fits!!

[@jugularmusic]

That noodling at the end of The Outlaw Torn is James Hetfield!

[@TotalMeltdown2]

I actually like that melody from Judas Kiss. One of the highlights of the song for me

[@brandonmartin8305]

He doesn't get writing credit for solos so why put much effort in it?

[@enzorodrigues9735]

Yeah, why would a musician like writing music, right?

[@brandonmartin8305]

@@enzorodrigues9735 I guess if you include kicking the wah on and improvising a solo in Em pentatonic "writing" He really hasn't contributed much as far as actual writing is concerned since the inception of the band. His writing credits are few and far between.

[@brandonmartin8305]

@@oyc7946 A handful of riffs over 40 years isn't contributing much. Highly praised or not. Sorry to burst your bubble. And by metallica standards, as stated before, solos don't get writing credit. 98% of the time they're just improvised. Doesn't matter if it's highley praised or not.

[@richardroberson2564]

@@brandonmartin8305 "handful of riffs" bruh. Also no that's bullshit. Watch the making of the black album. Those solos are not improvised.

[@kaliyuga4312]

@@brandonmartin8305 Hammett wrote enough to justify his place in the band. "Handful of riffs" is an extreme thing to say. He plays in a band with 2 of music's biggest egomaniacs. Not a comment on their ability, but certainly a comment on the aggressive measures Ulrich and Hetfield have always taken to get ahead. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_recorded_by_Metallica And re: comments on the writing credits of solos - if it's as simple as stepping on the wah and improvising on the pentatonic, find some Metallica tracks and edit out the solos, then add your own solos in their place. Upload it so we can hear what Metallica would sound like without Kirk's solos. Improvising is not random. It comes from years of work and learning how to treat notes as language. Not writing the notes down on a piece of paper doesn't make it reasonable to exempt him from writing credits. He writes the solos in his head, in real time (improv). No, he's not a technical wizard. But he works with ruthless people, I'm 100% sure they'd both have kicked him out in a heartbeat if he didn't pull his weight.

[@willtsam171]

Love the video, and also love Kirk, but I can't help but laugh at the ways you describe his playing lol!

[@gabziu3161]

It is a good video. Why it has no likes and views?

[@madzangels]

because it sounded like he recorded his voice track in a toilet

[@scottycunningham1413]

The big problem with Kirk when he tries to just rely on pentatonic stuff is the fact that he had a very poor sense of intonation and a bad vibrato. On the older stuff he seemed to actually work out his solos so they were more musical.

[@emanuelrayvillaflores7759]

not all solos on reload are bad fuel and the memory remains had great solos in my opinion

[@soundofreality]

I didn't knew about that Suicide And Redemption James Hetfield version. Nice video!

[@boremnogueira1659]

Hahahahah loved the video, even tho i really like Kirk's soloing. But both solos in the outlaw torn are great, was really surprised to see them. The solo from "that was just your life" is great too, nobody talks about it

[@thebatman1482]

Your Outlaw Torn take was outta pocket.

[@jasonsheets2694]

Shitting out wah-drenched notes.......he's been doing that for 40 years. I've never been a fan of his solos.

[@ImPhynsa]

Outlaw Torn and Devil Dance's solos are great.

[@smarkmalark]

Was weird seeing you use a random riddle school clip to represent you lmao. Love it gives me nostalgia

[@H.E.M.]

I have the James only suicide & redemption and man is what should’ve been on the album.

[@marcthedashergd6321]

I am pretty sure outlaw torn and carpe diem baby are james'

[@edms3656]

72 seaons could easily fill up this list

[@OkOk-bj6nn]

Sad but true 😞

[@tythompson4794]

Some may find Kirk maybe repetitive and some may hate his wah…..I’m not “some” people.

[@douglasmartins4688]

I once saw a meme of "Kirk Hammett's car", and there was the accelerator pedal, break, clutch and a wah pedal. I laughed more than I like to admit

[@GibsonFender]

James is the only real brilliant talent in the band after cliff passed, but without lars and the others he would never have got there

[@dangleeballsii8034]

8:38 I wonder what that sounds like without wah

[@edduworm]

Lux Æterna have the worst solo in heavy metal history

[@ivenstein]

I totally disagree with your list! Load and Reload has a lot of great solos, they brought some fresh wind into their songs. But every following album has Metallica's worst solos on it... total uninspired and boring!

[@c-LAW]

So much agreed. Since 1984 when I first heard the wonderful Metallica, as a guitarist, I asked: who ruined this great music? Kirk Hammet. Imagine if Dave Mustaine would have never been thrown out of the band. Kirk is a slave to pentonic wahwah like a 11yo learning how to shred.

[@Low.Key.Music01]

Kirk Hammett is the reason I practice so much. Not because I aspire to play like him but to avoid being as terrible as him

[@tonyheckenlively5110]

Good luck with that! I’m sure some day you’ll be super successful

[@joekkez93]

@@tonyheckenlively5110 being talent has nothing to do with being successful. You can be a virtuoso unpopular.

[@justbenelson]

Harvester of Sorrow is one of the strongest songs on AJFA, but it has the weakest solo. It feels like Kirk had no idea what to do with it. So boring.

[@chewylord]

Wait til this dude listens to the new album...

[@trick9037]

that is intresting cuz S&R is one of my fav of his solos

[@jakedemetrius_official]

Make more of these lists, and you’ll prob get more subs every second haha

[@zgamer1154]

Carpe Diem Baby is James so that doesn't really count. Also honestly surprised that you said Devil's Dance is worse than Murder One.

[@huntzzio]

5:34 To be honest, a bad solo really doesn’t bring down the song for me because they usually don’t overpower Metallicas mix. It’s just kinda there. But a good solo can really elevate a song. That’s maybe why I really enjoy a lot of the songs on this list like ManUnKind and Devils Dance.

[@tritotrofo]

bro carpe diem baby is literally a james’ solo

[@A7Tones]

Now you gotta do another one for 72 seasons

[@sniperguyAZ]

I disagree with most of the picks, but End of the Line absolutely deserves to be number one (maybe some of the new ones from 72S)

[@danielahlstrom9923]

Imo Kirk's solos on Load Reload are really cool

[@skyguy501st]

when you can do better, we can talk......

[@jesseoreilly1792]

The solo on Carpe Diem Baby was played by James.

[@Ysoserious1]

Carpe Diem Baby is my favorite song from Reload

[@huntzzio]

9:43 Are we counting EP’s? Because if so, Hate Train must be mentioned. The second solo is so laughably bad that it almost improves the song!

[@Aresmusic.official]

My friend of misery could be the perfect song from Jason Newsted until Kirk ruined it with his second wah wah wah solo

[@marcen12]

Glad All Nightmare Long was not on this list, Not even on the honorable mentions. Love that solo.

[@Tomversal]

I don't think Kirk wrote any of his solos on Hardwired did he? I thought it was Lars

[@thedancingguy828]

I fucking hate the Harverster Of Sorrow solo, i mean its one the coolest and heaviest standard songs ever but that solo sucks

[@DestinyHunter]

The outlawy torn outro solo is from James.

[@H.E.M.]

Why the hate on outlaw torn solo? Is James just jamming and it fits well.

[@reemsreg]

All nightmare long has to be kirks laziest solo hands down

[@UnchainedEruption]

What kind of sick monster listens to metal and doesn't love Kirk Hammett?

[@isaach.7324]

oh god please keep this fella from ever listening to slayer solos

[@Gabrostil]

The only one that i don't agree it's the judas kiss, the other ones, pretty accurated

[@Metallicafan.kirkhammet]

i like the end of the line

[@YetAnotherStupidyoutubeUpdate]

I wonder if you ever heard his solo on the song Dragon from Lulu, that takes the cake for me.

[@scottycunningham1413]

You can tell he kinda quit caring after a point. I don't exactly blame him seeing as they don't exactly give him much of a voice.

[@Prometheus4096]

I believe Hammett is tone deaf and I have pointed this out. But mostly my context is the solo's on the old albums. I don't know this new material. There solo's are really really bad. I thought the point of selling out was to become more musical and less thrashy? I really hope he did have some decent ones on the album as well. This is really, worrying... This is simply unacceptable. How do the other band members accept this?

[@Chuckichanly]

metallica realy should have kicked kirk after black album, it just seems that he doesnt even like playing anymore he just does whatever so he can call it a day and get the money

[@breshkotashmal7362]

Hello from January 2024. If you thought he's recent stuff sucked, just wait until you hear _72 Seasons_.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Narrator is that flake from that one rock channel. Don't rem it exactly but has rock in the name. Dude wears the most disgusting eye makeup too.

[@joshuagibson2520]

"Rocked" is his channel. He's awful.

[@diabeticmonkey]

@@joshuagibson2520 They're not the same person. They just sound very similar. Also, we get it, you don't like Rocked. Cool, i guess?

[@joshuagibson2520]

Ugh. I forgot about that nightmare 3 months ago. Thanks for reminding me of the gross eye makeup.

[@ixa-3140]

Not classical music

[@H.E.M.]

9:27 I understood that reference

[@masteryoda6988]

They should've stopped at load. Also 7:47 was kirk playing a headless guitar?

[@Gabrostil]

He plays with a headless sometimes

[@nicksnetwork6726]

He played it with judas kiss live a lot

[@johnmcminn8288]

i noticed on ...And Justice , Kirk is asked to solo over things that are pretty unsolo-able , just sayin'...

[@theartofpablo0110]

this video would be much better if the actual songs were played. Exposition makes everything so much worse

[@bekfasttime7001]

End of the line and suicide and redemption’s solos are both godawful

[@Ysoserious1]

Not quite Carlos Santana, WTF!!!

[@mybluguitar6051]

I wouldve included Atlas Rise! The song is good, but jesus, that solo is horrible and really ruins the song

[@wewlad2917]

all the solos from hardwired

[@pisceandreams5893]

I forgot what youtube video I seen this comment on,,, but some guy says that kirk hammett isn't really the guitar player for metallica and he's just there to play the part. The guy went on to say that the real guitar player doesn't want to be in the limelight or a celebrity, so he and the band decided that he would play the concerts from backstage. I really wanna find that guy and ask him what he was talking about and where the Fuxk he heard that from,lmao!! If anyone knows anything about this message me!

[@samueljansen6372]

Lmao it's Pantera playing backstage

[@thomallom5906]

Not even Joe Satriani can help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Metallica has an odd distinction: the drummer isn't the best drummer in the band, and the lead guitarist isn't the best guitarist in the band.

[@Miist3rDuce1]

Yea he is, Dummy, you other drummers deserve to be in Metallica except lars

[@Miist3rDuce1]

And what are you trying to say that mustaine was the best guitarist in Metallica

[@truthcantbesilenced4533]

LOL. They are 60. A+ record for age 60

[@nikosmj1]

The worst solo of Kirk which is not include on this video it's the solo of Murder One

[@anderschristensen4072]

enter sandman...very poor solo

[@portuguesebeer5069]

I liked the way you did the video, but i dont agree with you in some ideas. I do agree that Load's SUCKS all the way. My favourite solos from him, in a general way, are the justice álbum ones. Cheers from Portugal 🍺🤘🇵🇹

[@juanrezende4914]

Load é um ótimo album! Mas você ainda não está preparado para essa conversa hahaha.

[@portuguesebeer5069]

@@juanrezende4914 Vai gozar com o CARALHO! Ainda andavas tu nos colhões to teu avô já eu era fã de Metallica. Além disso, aprende a falar português! 🖕

[@juanrezende4914]

@@portuguesebeer5069 ja aprendi a falar português, seu merdinha. Sou brasileiro!

[@prestonshawn7148]

Kirk didnt stop caring just ran out of awsome mustaine licks

[@mybluguitar6051]

Explain to me how his solos for songs like ride the lightning or disposable heroes sounds anything like mustaine? Great mustaine solos like my last words or in my darkest hour sound nothing like Kirk's best solos. I love megadeth, but I can't stand mustaine and his dumbass fans acting like everything amazing about metallica is due to him. Master of puppets had nothing to do with him and its their best album. Hell, the best parts of the ride the lightning album aren't his riffs; it's the riffs from kirk and cliff

[@coldboisebee]

listen to the Lulu album

[@michaelsotomayor5001]

Crazy how die hard the fans are. I wish Metallica had better solos. The songs would be untouchable.

[@Chuckichanly]

i love seek n destroy but the solo is pretty anti climatic and boring sounds like an exercise a little bit

[@Kneith]

I cant stand that he keeps playing th C natural in the fade to black solo. It can be a cool note but not the way he uses it..

[@Chuckichanly]

7:52 that went perfect with the song ahhahaha

[@ToneD5150]

Say what you will..., as he smiles🤑 on his way to the bank...$$$$$$$$$$🤘

[@adamwarlock3530]

Funny how you're trying to be all analytical when describing Hammett's soloing. He plays in the key of S most of the time. He's tone deaf and you must be too if you find him any good.

[@mellotune_4398]

I feel that playing meaning less solos also makes meaning, the meaning of madness, it sounds crazy, i love meaning less solos, if they are looked as meaning less, but are actually meaning full madness solos❤️ love kirk hammet, the great kirk hammet❤️❤️

[@davidelkington6342]

I stopped listening after the Black album , they ditched the "Tent Of Doom " and their sound suffered.

[@edgabrielocay3376]

How about top 20 of the worst Lar's drumming.

[@Miist3rDuce1]

Lars is not the worst so stfu and leave him alone

[@ruledtrendy5066]

Have they done twenty albums?

[@nadjimansouri8360]

Kirk hammet has peaked in the 80's I know,but this vedio made me love Kirk even more....don't judge me.

[@barrymcguire7987]

Wanna hear sum bad solos listen to aerosmith

[@dermilos.6930]

Where’s the frayed ends of sanity solo? I thought it was pretty shitty

[@Urohpls]

this does such a dogshit job of actually showing the solos.

[@gigachad2276]

Stop hating on him me

[@justsomeguyfromedolas321]

Kirk WAHmmet

[@bassemkarame2510]

i agree with the end of the line. garbage solo. also you gotta remember, ww are talking about metallica, not dream theater or megadeth or avenged sevenfold or opeth. the best metallica solo is like a 7/10. so 60% of their solos are gonna be mediocre at best

[@juanrezende4914]

No

[@christianpargarini1586]

fake guitar player ? maybe ? NOOOOOO shure

[@joecremeno1078]

You are incorrect. Get out of silver, I dare you. You need to brush up on your ability to read the song.