Dave Mustaine defends Kirk Hammett's playing
But adds that he hasn’t heard Metallica’s new album yet
Last updated 27th Jul 2023
Dave Mustaine has spoken up to defend Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett’s playing.
The Megadeth frontman and guitarist was speaking to Consequence about his new signature Gibson Collection when he was asked about his relationship with Metallica.
He replied: “It took a while for James and Lars and I to kind of come around and become friends again.
“But I would say we’re probably better off now than we’ve been for a long time. And it comes and goes. I think the emotions between all of us, it’s probably understandable for a lot of people who break up with someone, it’s like a marriage and you part ways and sometimes you try and justify in your head the decision that you make.”
Commenting on the criticism Hammett received in some quarters over the solo on Metallica’s recent single ‘Lux Æterna’, he added: “I heard that people are taking the p--- out of Kirk.
“But Kirk’s a really good guitar player and I think that people forget real quickly he was winning every single guitar contest there was for 30 or 40 years…I have not heard their new album, but I’m sure it’s great.”
Watch: Metallica 'Lux Æterna' music video
He also recently told Guitar World: The truth is Kirk did me an honor by trying to play my solos on those early songs the way he did… Well, I think that some people would have just started over again. So, I thought it was honorable that Kirk took my solos and did his best to play them as I did. That couldn't have been easy.”
He continued: “He's always been really good. Kirk was a good player when he was in EXODUS. And he's been steady the entire time he's been in METALLICA. But does that mean Kirk Hammett is Dave Mustaine? No. And is Dave Mustaine Kirk Hammett? Also, no."
Mustaine also spoke about original Metallica bassist Ron McGovney during the new interview.
Watch: Metallica 'Hit The Lights' live with Mustaine and McGovney
McGovney had recently tweeted about Metallica’s legendary early demo ‘No Life ‘Til Leather’, saying: “Dave Mustaine just kills it on this tape…He leaves the rest of us in the dust.”
Mustaine said: “I’ve always liked Ron and I hated the fact that he got in between trying to protect James when I popped him in the mouth. But we’ve stayed friends ever since.”