Battery
Metallica, 1986, from Master of Puppets. Solo by Kirk Hammett.
After a classical acoustic intro, Hammett's solo is a sprint at full thrash tempo.
Battery opens Master of Puppets with a deceptive, classical-sounding acoustic introduction, harmonised guitars that suggest something stately before the band detonates into full thrash tempo. When Kirk Hammett's solo arrives, it is a sprint: fast pentatonic runs, sharp tremolo passages and wah-inflected phrases that ride the relentless riffing without ever easing the pace. The solo is short and focused, matching the song's theme of unstoppable force. It set the tone for one of metal's most admired albums. Listen for the contrast between the gentle opening and the violent main section, and notice how Hammett's solo keeps pace with the rhythm guitar rather than pulling back, adding to the sense of relentless speed.
Battery by Metallica is ranked #369 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Kirk Hammett and the song was released in 1986. It appears on 1 lists, placing as high as #83 (Guitar Solo Legends).
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Thrash Guitar Solos — #11
- The Best Kirk Hammett Guitar Solos — #9
- The Best Metallica Guitar Solos — #10
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Battery?
Kirk Hammett played the solo on Metallica's Battery (1986).
Where does Battery rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#369 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 1 of them.