Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has released a new solo track from his first solo album Portals.
This new single title High Plains Drifter was inspired by Clint Eastwood’s 1973 Western of the same name.
This song is also the first new release of Hammetts new album, which he described as “soundtracks to the movies in your mind”. The record is to be released via Blackened Recordings this weekend (April 23).
Excited to announce that there’s an excellent video for High Plains Drifter! It’s going to hit my YouTube this Friday, April 22, 2022
There’s a countdown in my stories, and the YouTube link is in my bio, so you can set a reminder!#highplainsdrifter#portals#recordstoreday2022 pic.twitter.com/7oJO1PMome— Kirk Hammett (@KirkHammett) April 20, 2022
Check it out for yourselves below.
The album will also feature four instruemental tracks. These songs include The Jinn on Side A, Maiden And The Monster, backed by High Plains Drifter and the Incantation co-written by Edwin Outwater.
Outwater also worked with Hammett on Metallica’s S&M2 concerts and releases.
“nervous”
Earlier this month, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett also spoke about stepping out on his own, and releasing his first solo album.
“Usually when there is an album release — it’s the four of us [in METALLICA]. We all have each other’s backs. We are all supporting each other, because it’s kind of a nerve-wracking sort of emotional and mental thing”, Hammett said.
He continued, “Usually, during this time, we have each other to talk to about any sort of insecurities or whatnot. But now that I have put out a solo album, I am the guy who bears the whole burden of all that”.
“I said to James [Hetfield, METALLICA frontman], ‘This is weird. I have an album release and usually I have you three other guys. But it’s just me and it makes me feel insecure and nervous.’ And James only had one reply: ‘This is a growth and learning experience for you, bro.’ And I go, ‘Thank you for saying that because I didn’t see it like that”.
Hammett excited to “stand alone”
Kirk Hammett also shared an insight into how this album will “stand alone” from his work with Metallica.
Speaking about Portals, Hammett also added, “I made a very conscious to have this music stand alone. [‘Portals’]) doesn’t sound like METALLICA. It really doesn’t. I should say, okay, I thought 95 percent of it does not sound like METALLICA. Just by proxy of who I am, as a member of METALLICA, some of it is going to be reminiscent of that. But that’s the five percent that is kind of instinctual — it’s kind of like bred into me. It was important to have a different vibe and a different approach”.
“With this music, the vocabulary is wide open. There’s a huge classical influence. There’s also a flamenco influence. There’s a little jazziness here and there. There are chords in this music that I would never think about using in METALLICA”.
“[‘Portals’] breaks down the doors. I’m way into classical. I’m way into jazz, bossa nova, blues. I love old country”.
“The sky is the limit at this point. And it’s a pretty beautiful thing”, he added.
Last year, Kirk Hammett also spoke about the famous Metallica Black Album following the thirtieth anniversary of its release.
