Kirk Hammett on Discovering Prog Rock & Having the First Metallica Solo Release
Kirk Hammett is nothing if not a storyteller. For over 40 years, Metallica’s guitarist has wielded his instrument like a brush, painting vast, thunderous landscapes in sound. But Portals, his first-ever solo EP, sees him shedding the thrash-metal skin to craft something uniquely cinematic, a collection of sprawling instrumentals that feel more like soundtracks to unmade films than songs.
Sitting down with Hammett, you quickly realize this isn’t just another side project. Portals came to life almost by accident, born out of his love for horror movies and a need for background music to accompany his 2018 horror movie poster exhibition. “It was supposed to be simple, moody stuff,” Hammett says, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and disbelief. “But then the ideas started flowing, and four hours later, I had multiple parts. Suddenly, it wasn’t just background music—it was a story.”
From those first sketches, the seeds of Portals began to grow. Two years later, while working on Metallica’s S&M2 project, Hammett met conductor Edwin Outwater, a kindred spirit in both music and horror. “We hit it off immediately,” Hammett says. “He loves horror movies as much as I do, and we started talking about collaborating. That’s how tracks like ‘Incantation’ came to life—layering classical instruments over these eerie, heavy riffs.”
Prog rock, too, played a surprising role. Hammett, a lifelong metalhead, dove into the genre relatively recently. “I just discovered Genesis and Yes a few years ago,” he admits. “I was blown away by how much they influenced early heavy metal. Their ability to tell stories without lyrics—it’s what I wanted to do with Portals.”
The EP is an atmospheric journey, with titles like “High Plains Drifter” and “The Jinn” evoking both mood and mystery. Hammett nods to influences like Ennio Morricone and classical composers but insists it’s not overly planned. “I don’t take myself that seriously,” he laughs. “This wasn’t me sitting down to make a solo album. It just kind of happened. One track turned into another, and before I knew it, I had enough for an EP.”
But Portals isn’t just a creative milestone—it’s a personal one. Sobriety, Hammett reveals, has given him the time and focus to explore new avenues. “I’ve been sober for seven and a half years, and suddenly, I have all this extra time. The hours I used to spend in bars or recovering from being in bars—I can use that for music, for collecting horror memorabilia, for surfing. It’s amazing.”
What makes Portals particularly significant is its place in Metallica’s history. Despite decades of side projects, this is the first true solo release from a member of the band. “Forty years ago, this would’ve caused drama,” Hammett says. “But now? We’ve got nothing left to prove. This doesn’t take away from Metallica—it adds to it.”
And Hammett isn’t stopping here. He lights up at the idea of performing Portals live, envisioning a nine-piece band complete with strings and horns. He even hints at future collaborations, maybe even a Santana-style album featuring guest musicians. “The possibilities are endless,” he says with a grin. “I’m just having fun exploring.”
For Hammett, Portals is more than a solo EP—it’s a glimpse into the mind of an artist who refuses to be boxed in. It’s cinematic, it’s expansive, and above all, it’s Kirk Hammett, unfiltered. “This is me,” he says. “And it feels great to share it.”
Watch the interview above and then check out the videos below.
