Metallica: Hear Kirk Hammett's Triumphant New Solo Song "High Plains Drifter" | Revolver

Metallica: Hear Kirk Hammett's Triumphant New Solo Song "High Plains Drifter"

From the guitarist's instrumental EP arriving next week

Next week, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett will release his first-ever solo project. Titled Portals and released under his own name, the four-song EP consists of instrumental compositions that're inspired by classical music, soundtracks, horror scores and the late composer Ennio Morricone. Today (April 15th), he's giving fans a taste of what it sounds like with a gorgeously expansive single called "High Plains Drifter." 

Given that Hammett is a noted cinephile and the project is directly inspired by movie soundtracks, this song's title is a likely reference to the 1973 Clint Eastwood western of the same name. Musically, it even has a dusky, wild west feel to it, spending the first couple minutes sounding like a sparse classical music composition before the drums and distorted guitar kick in and Hammett's unmistakable shredding paints the mix with triumphant leads. It's pretty fuckin' epic and you can hear it above via YouTube. 

Portals is out Saturday April 23rd via Blackened Recordings, with Record Store Day-exclusive vinyl available at local shops.