In more evidence that time is, indeed, a flat circle, the year is 2023 and people are arguing over a Kirk Hammett guitar solo.
Hammett’s shredding on the new Metallica single “Lux Æterna” has inspired a wide range of reactions, including from YouTubers who record their own version of the solo with video titles such as “Metallica ‘Lux Æterna’ But the Solo Doesn’t Suck.”
As Hammett tells Total Guitar, he’s unconcerned with the criticism.
“Yeah, my f****** friends down the street could probably play a better solo than ‘Lux Æterna’ — but what’s the point?” Hammett says. “For me, what’s appropriate is playing for the song and playing in the moment.”
“I could string together like six or seven three-octave arpeggios in 16th notes, sit there every day and practice it and go, ‘Hey, look what I can do!"” he continues. “But where am I gonna put it? That won’t work in any Metallica song!”
While not everyone is on board with Hammett’s “Lux Æterna” solo, at least some people are — the single hit #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. And hey, at least there’s a solo at all.
“Lux Æterna” is the lead single off Metallica’s upcoming album 72 Seasons, due out Friday. The metal titans are celebrating the record’s upcoming arrival with a weeklong residency on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!
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