22 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time
2. Kirk Hammett
Lars might be the face of Metallica and James the shuddering persona, but Kirk Hammett is the sound that thrash metal was really built on. His solos are the stuff of legend, and there's so much variation in his playing style that it almost defies classification: swooping for tender emotional acoustics to ridiculous, face-melting flailing.
Without a doubt, Hammett's strings are what made thrash a mainstream concern.
Key Track: "Master Of Puppets"