Kirk Hammett Reveals 767 Fresh Riffs for Upcoming Metallica Album, Envisions Return to ’90s Sound

Kirk Hammett’s New Riffs for Metallica Album

Kirk Hammett revealed that he has composed 767 new riffs for the upcoming Metallica album, believing that they may return to their 90s sound in this record.

• READ MORE: Metallica – 72 Years.

Future Plans for Metallica

The lead guitarist for the legendary metal band voiced in a recent interview with Katya Stone that the band will not start working on their next album for “at least another year.” “I have 767 new ones for the next album,” he mentioned, referring to the riffs he composed for new material. “This is such a nightmare that passes through this material, and I am the one who is responsible for all this, and I cannot do this… I do not foresee us starting the next album for at least one more year, because we are still finishing the 72 Seasons tour.

“As soon as we completely finish this and visit all remote places such as Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, I think we will take a little break—not too long—and then return to it.”

Hammett’s Creative Outlook

Hammett also shared his thoughts on the potential sound of the new album, stating, “Who knows? We could just say, ‘Okay, let’s return to the nineties again.’ It’s not a bad idea! We haven’t discussed this yet, but it’s interesting because when Load and Reload were released, the negative reactions were strong. Nowadays, however, I encounter fans who love that era.”

“We play ‘Fuel,’ and people go wild. We perform ‘Until It Sleeps,’ and fans know every word. It reminds me of when I was a teenager; I listened to all the Led Zeppelin albums except for Zeppelin III because it was more acoustic, and I craved high-energy, aggressive music. Over time, I’ve grown to appreciate Zeppelin III and its beauty.”

The guitarist noted that at 62, he still feels he is climbing towards his creative peak, stating, “I haven’t reached the top of the mountain yet. I am still improving, and I have plenty of creative drive and energy.”

Looking ahead, he added, “Much of this is linked to personal health. I don’t feel that I’m winding down. Everything around me is still thriving, and I know I’m not the only band member who feels this way.”

Hammett also announced a new coffee table book titled Collection: Kirk Hammett, showcasing his guitar collection and life in music, alongside Metallica’s details about their “captivating” VR concert film created in partnership with Apple Vision Pro.

Additionally, Metallica has a performance scheduled for the final Black Sabbath show at Villa Park in Birmingham in July.