A Look Back At The Evolution of Metallica's Sound

The apocalyptic visions of songs like "The Four Horsemen," written by original lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, the violence rippling to the surface of "Seek and Destroy" and the hellfire of war depicted in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" were a perfect, bloody-knuckled pairing of lyrics plucked from the heart of human darkness and the angriest tones that could possibly be torn from Gibson Flying Vs, Gibson Explorers and Gibson Les Pauls pumping electric blood through stacks of Marshall amps. Much was made of the group's melodic approach to metallic wailing during Metallica's first decade and initial four albums � especially after six-string wrangler Kirk Hammett replaced Mustaine. And Hammett's and Hetfield's routes to melody were, indeed, worth noting, even if critics and fans exaggerated the strength of their content. Hetfield tended to play short, boldly written melodies that served as musical transitions. Hammett was more of a sprayer, thanks to his astounding chops inspired in part by his one-time instructor Joe Satriani.