Riff precision 99.8% - James Hetfield was NOT human in his prime!

In the mid-late 80s, James Hetfield reached his peak as a rhythm guitarist. The tightness and precision of his guitar tracks were almost unhuman (given that it was all on tape, no Pro Tools). James still got it, but Master of Puppets and And Justice for All will remain his top riff jobs ever. Made with the isolated guitar tracks available on Youtube.

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#metallica #jameshetfield #guitar

[averagegatsby]

I've read that James Hetfield's goal was the be the greatest drummer as a guitarist.

[hugolafhugolaf]

Imagine getting the timing right DESPITE having Lars as a drummer and being drunk!

[rivalx]

This guy was literally the Greek god of the rhythm guitar

[louismaynard]

The fact he can play this, without looking, while singing, absolutely blows my mind.
Let alone creating it.

[lyjaugs]

The fact that he sing while playing those riffs is even more impressive.

Edit: I'm not even comparing James to anybody but damn megadeth's clowns have enough salt for everybody🤣.

[FaithfulReasoning]

He sang so many difficult songs while playing perfectly most time without even looking

[Accuratetranslationservices]

Underrated skill: his ability to consistently palm mute/unmute individual 16th notes without brushing the next one

[PitfallHarry]

He's like a machine. It's not just his picking speed, which is phenomenal in and of itself, it's that he can sustain it without any hint of tiring. The man is a rhythm guitar god. Unmatched.

[luskebus]

The blackened main riff is the reason i haven’t played guitar for a week

[YuengsNwings]

Hetfield seems like he listens to Metallica when he’s not playing it. I’ve always gotten the impression that he actually likes the music he plays more than most successful musicians do.

[hishamelfangary]

Honestly, the whole band during the early years were straight up animals. Even Lars and Kirk were beasts, Lars' timing was head on and Kirk actually wrote and played kick ass leads.

[zigsrig]

Totally underrated skill: being Kirk Hammett, having to learn all those riffs and keep up with James!
🤘🏻🤘🏻

[ethanhunter]

I don't think people realize how impressive this is

[derekmartinez]

James Hetfield is one of THE most rock solid rythym guitar players ever. How he plays AND sings songs like Creeping Death, Damage Inc., Battery...like fuck. Long live the Het.

[JoeyBullet]

I respect James so much for not being one of those vocalists that run around too much on stage then miss vocals and throw it to the crowd cuz they're out of breathe like Chino from deftones. James stands, plays, and sings loud and clear.

[sandwich-breath]

Cliff Burton and James Hetfield were something to behold. Early Metallica was earth shattering.

[Ilshatey]

Considering it's all original it's 100% precise.

[ImDembe]

inhuman riffs, superb lyricist, underrated singer, diverse musician, trendsetter = arguably the best frontman in rock/metal.

[paultrottier]

Just saw them last week in Buffalo . Not a note missed by Kirk or James the entire set. I play guitar, if you can call it that, I can’t fathom how they play so fast yet incredibly precise. Blows my mind. BTW just as good in 2022 as when I saw them in 1989 and 1992.

[na-tvrn]

Master of Puppets is the pinnacle of heavy metal and I will never be convinced otherwise. It's just everything that metal should be, done better, more powerful and with lyrical connect that nobody could touch then or has since.