“The idea is Kirk was gonna play rhythms along with James. That changed everything, and some people don’t like it”: Bob Rock says Metallica's divisive Load album redefined the Hetfield-Hammett guitar partnership
Phil Weller
created: Aug. 5, 2025, 8:39 a.m. | updated: Aug. 10, 2025, 3:44 a.m.
Now Bob Rock, who produced both those albums, has said it was a record that reshaped James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett’s guitar-playing relationship.
“Jason wasn't playing bass like a bass player.
He was just doubling the guitar,” Rock explains.
Jason wasn't playing bass like a bass player.
And we're really splitting the guitars now to get some really different things going on.
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