FuturePublishing QUAYHOUSE,THEAMBURY,BATH,BA11UA Tel: 01225 442244 Fax: 01225 822763 Email:totalguitar@futurenet.com Website: www.totalguitar.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor: Chris Bird GroupArtDirector: GrahamDalzell SeniorMusicEditor: JasonSidwell ContentEditor: PaulElliott ProductionEditor: Stan Bull MusicCo-ordinators: Zoe Maughan, Natalie Beilby CONTRIBUTORS Stuart Williams, Jenna Scaramanga, Amit Sharma, Ellie Rogers, Rob Laing, Charlie Griffiths, Jon Bishop, Jonathan Horsley, Richard Barrett, Nick Guppy, Alex Lynham, SimonYoung MusicEngraver: Simon Troup and Jennie Troup Photography: Neil Godwin, Olly Curtis, Phil Barker, Kevin Nixon ADVERTISING Phone: 01225 442244 Fax: 01225 732285 ChiefRevenueOfficer: ZachSullivan, zach.sullivan@futurenet.com UKCommercialSalesDirector: ClareDove,clare.dove@futurenet.com AdvertisingSalesDirector: LaraJaggon,lara.jaggon@futurenet.com AccountSalesDirectors:AlisonWatson,alison.watson@futurenet.com GuyMeredith,guy.meredith@futurenet.com MARKETING HeadOfMarketing: SharonTodd SubscriptionsMarketingManagers: Faith Wardle, Rachel Wallace PRODUCTION&DISTRIBUTION ProductionController: FrancesTwentyman HeadofProductionUK&US:MarkConstance Printed in theUKby:William Gibbons & Sons Ltd on behalf of Future Distributedby:​ Marketforce, 2nd Floor, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf London,E145HU Overseasdistribution by:​ SeymourInternational HeadofNewstrade:TimMathers CIRCULATION TradeMarketingManager: Michelle Brock 0207 429 3683 SUBSCRIPTIONS Neworders: www.magazinesdirect.com, phone orders: 0330 333 1113, email:help@magazinesdirect.com Renewals: www.mymagazine.co.uk, customer service: 0330 333 4333, email:help@mymagazine.co.uk INTERNATIONALLICENSING Total Guitar is available for licensing and syndication. 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The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome… “The best Metallica album of the century.” That’s what TG contributor JennaScaramanga excitedly announced of the band’s latest release 72Seasons following her VIP listening session in London in February. Of course, Metallica haveadistinct sound thanks to an arsenal of recurring techniques and harmonic approaches that feature throughout their music. But, despite the existence of a definite Metallica recipe, the band’s mixing bowl of creativity is still being stirred, if you see what I mean. Now into their fifth decade, Metallica are not resting on their laurels. In this month’s exclusive interview, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett tells TG of the incredible energy the band felt upon reuniting after the Covid-19 lockdowns. He also speaksabouttherhythmicimprovisationattheheart of his solos on 72Seasons, and how that spontaneity feeds into Metallica’s live shows. We also speak to bassist Robert Trujillo. Together he and Kirk take us on a deep dive through the new album, track by track, revealing the inspiration and musical approaches behind each song. And producer Greg Fidelman outlines the recording process, the gear used and how the band set about capturing a live feel. It feels like a great time to be a Metallica fan, and this issue is a big celebration of a band we all love here at TG. If, like us, you’re feeling inspired to plug in and play, make sure to follow our Metallica technique tutorial on p68 and take a look at our riff lessons on three of the band’s greatest songs, too. As ever, I really hope you enjoy the magazine. It’s been a blast putting it together! See you next time. 03 ChrisBird Editor Total Guitar (ISSN 1355504) May Issue 370, is published monthly with an extra issue in July by Future Publishing, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA, UK The US annual subscription price is $181.87 Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named World Container Inc., c/o BBT 150-15 183rd St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Brooklyn NY 11256. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Total Guitar, World Container Inc., c/o BBT 150-15 183rd St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA Subscription records are maintained at Future Publishing, c/o Air Business Subscriptions, Rockwood House, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3DH. UK MAY 2023 TOTAL GUITAR