![\"Kirk](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kirk-Hammett-Metallica-Far-Out-Magazine-1140x855.jpg\")
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(Credit: Rodrigues\/Andres)<\/p>\n
Wed 8 October 2025 3:00, UK <\/p>\n
When a gig as big as Metallica lands on your doorstep, the last thing you\u2019re going to do is turn it down. Just ask Kirk Hammett<\/a>.<\/p>\n Metallica\u2019s transition from new kids on the block to metal gods is one for the books, especially when you take into account some of the more sceptical reviews from those James Hetfield admired. Rudolf Schenker, someone Hetfield once described as \u201cthe best at what he did\u201d, once had some choice words to say about his fellow rock guitarist. <\/p>\n He essentially felt that Metallica burst onto the scene without much know-how, especially when it came to their instruments, which he felt they played pretty poorly. Eventually, though, he watched as they learned how to play them \u201cextremely well\u201d, excelling in their field at a speed like no other. What worked for them in the beginning might not have been their abilities, at least as far as Schenker was concerned.<\/p>\n What worked for them was actually their eye for talent and dedication to bettering themselves at every turn. It\u2019s sort of how they got Hammett on board. A member of Exodus at the time, it\u2019s almost like Hetfield knew the amount of chemistry he\u2019d share with Hammett before he even became an official member. A suspicion confirmed when he came in and absolutely smashed the audition<\/a>.<\/p>\n But like countless other revolutionaries, Hammett had to crush some dreams before he officially made the move over. Recalling the situation with leaving Exodus during an interview with Howard Stern, Hammett made light of the situation. But perhaps unsurprisingly, the remaining members were pissed at his decision to step into Dave Mustaine\u2019s shoes. <\/p>\n