Metallica co-founders James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich have historically frowned upon other band members doing side projects. That stance was one of the key factors that led to the departure of former bassist Jason Newsted. But it certainly appears their stance has softened over the years, and guitarist Kirk Hammett has revealed he will release a solo instrumental EP, “Portals,” on April 23 to coincide with Record Store Day. The EP will release exclusively at independent retailers and in the Met Store at Metallica.com.
“Initially, before I even had the idea for a solo EP, I was inspired by the need to create some sort of soundtrack music to accompany The Kirk Hammett Collection for the first ‘It’s Alive’ exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, 2017,” explained Hammett. “I wanted to conceive music to play on a loop in the background as people walked through the exhibit. I sat down one night with a progression, and before I knew it, all the parts were there for ‘Maiden And The Monster’. The initial concept for ‘Portals’ started with that one song. Following that, I realized I could create different soundtrack moments. These songs are what I call ‘audio cinematic’; I’m creating sounds and pieces of music for the movies playing in my head. Hopefully they’ll create movies in other people’s heads in a similar fashion.”
According to Hammett, the EP is heavily influenced by classical music, soundtracks, horror movies, and Ennio Morricone. He wanted to EP to span the decades and touch upon all the horror movies and imagery he loves. “Portals” features the songs, “Maiden And The Monster,” “The Jinn,” “High Plains Drifter” and “The Incantation.” Two songs were co-written with Edwin Outwater, who contributed keyboards and led the orchestral players from the LA Philharmonic on “Portals. Outwater also worked on Metallica’s “S&M2.” Other players on the EP include drummers Jon Theodore and Abraham Laboriel, bassist Greg Fidelman, Emmy-winning arranger Blake Neely and former Metallica producer Bob Rock, although the EP is produced by Hammett.
