Dave Mustaine’s Surprising Current Take on Kirk Hammett

the feud of Dave Mustaine as metallica lasted decades. Currently, even though he occasionally makes a slight provocation, the lead singer and guitarist of megadeth has greatly eased the discourse in relation to his former colleagues, who expelled him from the band in 1983.

This also counts for Kirk Hammett, guitarist who replaced him in the group from then on. In a relatively rare moment of mea culpa, Mustaine admitted in an interview with Guitar World who passed from the point of debauchery to Hammett, who never did anything directly to him and only took his place after invitation from the remnants: James Hetfield (voice and guitar) Lars Ulrich (drums) and the nostalgic Cliff Burton (low).

“I always made fun of Kirk. And unfairly, because he never did anything to me. Whenever I felt picked on or snubbed by James or Lars, it was all too easy to pick Kirk to pick on.”

Still in his statement, Dave revealed what makes him respect his instrument partner the most: the fact that none of his original solos were changed in the recordings of the album. Kill ‘Em All. Also released in 1983, the album features songs composed while Mustaine was still in the band, but Hammett was careful to preserve the solos created by his predecessor.

“The truth is, Kirk honored me by trying to play my solos on the first few songs the way he did. I think some people do it their way. So I thought it was honorable that Kirk took my solos and did his best to play them like I did.”

Kirk Hammett “constant” according to Dave Mustaine

Also during the interview, Dave Mustaine was asked if he had heard Metallica’s most recent album, 72 Seasons. The leader of Megadeth said no, but took the opportunity to praise Kirk Hammett in general, often criticized – including for his work on the current album.

“As for your new solos on the new Metallica album, I haven’t heard them so I can’t comment. But I will say that I find it sad how quickly people turn against each other. In the past Kirk has won every guitar contest in the world and I don’t think he has gotten better or worse as a musician. He was always really good. Kirk played well when he was in Exodus. And he’s been constant the entire time he’s been in Metallica.”

Even with his expulsion from Metallica in 1983, Dave Mustaine continued with his career. Motivated by revenge, he decided that he would put together an even heavier band than his previous one. Thus was born Megadeth, commanded by him since then. The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!the most recent album, came out in 2022. The expectation is that the group, today with the Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro in line-up, return to South America for shows between this year and next.