I agree Kirk is pretty good, But Kirk definitely has very sloppy Rhythms I've noticed James is a lot more consistent. Watch him do My Apocalypse for Guitar Centre (I believe) here on youtube. Its pretty bad.
I'm the king of downstroke. Its not by choice. I just can't keep time when I alternate pick. I have no idea why. But I'm not famous so ot doesn't matter
Exactly; Kirk is there playing many of the same riffs, plus having to solo. Kirk is a tremendous guitarist but many think he is not much or just shadow him much like Newsted was shadowed by Cliff.
People, there is a reason Kirk is up there with James and for all these years.
Yes, Kirk commits to smaller moves which helps stamina and speed. I'm sure his lead abilities seen him having to make alot of small moves and navigate accurately between strings whereas Hetfield's big moves at that speed makes him the Mike Tyson of the guitar world with the Iron Wrist.
It's also known that Papa Het has admitted he is struggling more and feels he cannot do as he once did which may be showing why the Hammster is alternating to fill in certain gaps. Both feeding off each other to give each other more rest as needed. Just some thoughts.
I've thought about this for a long time being a super-nerdy Metallicafan since more than 20 years. Kirk is the only downpicker that competes with James but not with even a percent of the cred. Good video!
Scott Ian (Anthrax/Mr.Bungle/ex-S.O.D.) totally belongs on this list. Kind of surprised you didn't even mention him. Kirk's rhythm playing is overshadowed by his decline in soloing, as well as the fact that James tracks all rhythm guitars on their studio albums (except Load-St.Anger as well as Lulu – their worst albums). My first pet cat as a kid was named after Kirk though!
Has anyone ever entered Tom Maxwell of Nothingface into the downpicking argument? He's claimed that 95% of his playing is downpicked. I have found his rhythms to be quite fast, though I'm not a guitarist, so I have never taken the time to compare the two to each other.
Always nice to see Kirk getting the spotlight. He catches a lot of shit for his (overuse?) of the Wah, but I think that's also because most of us believe he can bring a lot more creativity and style.
If anyone could give James a run for his money as the down picking king, I'd cast my vote for Eric Peterson of Testament, Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth, and this insanely good YouTube guitarist named Kevin Frasard.
I've seen so much hate for Kirk, never understood it… So he fluffs a solo every now and then? he comes from an era that pushed and then redefined the boundaries, with Metallica being at the edge of that envelope; he operates, for 2 to 3 hours at a time, at the edge of the envelope of what his generation thought possible. And he ain't getting any younger either… Breakdown like this shows exactly what a calm, seasoned, hyper skilled pro in the choir brings to support his brother struttin' his feathers at the front of the stage.
This is when not doing a little research shows…James said it himself that now that he's older he doesn't down pick like he used to…cause….he's older lol
Dave Mustaine recently gave his opinion on the best down stroking. He listed off James as the top but he also mentioned Kerry from slayer. What do you think of his playing?
…too bad his tone kinda sucks (go listen to "Satan" off of the Spawn soundtrack).
Not to take away from what you noticed about Kirk, but James has to play, sing, and be bandleader, and he's "loosened up" tastewise over the years, so it might just be the flair he puts on it now.
Dave Linsk and Merritt Gant of OVERKILL have, do and ALWAYS WILL blow these weakings away. And Dave Murry on the first 3 Iron Maiden albums was OUTRAGEOUS
Now let's talk a bit more serious. John Gallagher of Dying Fetus, Terrance Hobbs of Suffocation and Matt Sotelo of Decrepit Birth are hands-down the greatest masters of downstroke. Also Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman had been playing arm-breaking downstrokes in most of the Slayer songs. Behind The Crooked Cross is an example which they also avoided to play it live.
Ever heard of the name jon schaffer
Scott Ian pretty good
https://youtu.be/KHxnhiogzjc the whole Album is full of fester downstrokes
I agree Kirk is pretty good, But Kirk definitely has very sloppy Rhythms I've noticed James is a lot more consistent. Watch him do My Apocalypse for Guitar Centre (I believe) here on youtube. Its pretty bad.
Jon Schaffer, Iced Earth
Page Hamilton from Helmet is another great down stroker
I'm the king of downstrokes.
Next episode : featuring the Hettfield Wah Pedal
I'm the king of downstroke. Its not by choice. I just can't keep time when I alternate pick. I have no idea why. But I'm not famous so ot doesn't matter
Kerry king
Vogg
Creeping death live was fucking wild
no love for Scott Ian?
Exactly; Kirk is there playing many of the same riffs, plus having to solo. Kirk is a tremendous guitarist but many think he is not much or just shadow him much like Newsted was shadowed by Cliff.
People, there is a reason Kirk is up there with James and for all these years.
Yes, Kirk commits to smaller moves which helps stamina and speed. I'm sure his lead abilities seen him having to make alot of small moves and navigate accurately between strings whereas Hetfield's big moves at that speed makes him the Mike Tyson of the guitar world with the Iron Wrist.
It's also known that Papa Het has admitted he is struggling more and feels he cannot do as he once did which may be showing why the Hammster is alternating to fill in certain gaps. Both feeding off each other to give each other more rest as needed. Just some thoughts.
Kirk’s a beast ❤
Johnny Ramone was great!
Once that's settled, I'd like to know who's king of the upstrokes.
Wow I never noticed that.
Yes James is the king of Riffs, but Kirk seems to be the king of working smart, not hard!
Don't forget about Max Cavalera in the 90's
I've thought about this for a long time being a super-nerdy Metallicafan since more than 20 years. Kirk is the only downpicker that competes with James but not with even a percent of the cred. Good video!
and that wah too
Sorry, but no Scott Ian? Surely lacking
Ahhhh a fellow guitarist who appreciates James Hetfield and Assassin's Creed…
Scott Ian (Anthrax/Mr.Bungle/ex-S.O.D.) totally belongs on this list. Kind of surprised you didn't even mention him. Kirk's rhythm playing is overshadowed by his decline in soloing, as well as the fact that James tracks all rhythm guitars on their studio albums (except Load-St.Anger as well as Lulu – their worst albums). My first pet cat as a kid was named after Kirk though!
Mick from Slipknot.
Has anyone ever entered Tom Maxwell of Nothingface into the downpicking argument? He's claimed that 95% of his playing is downpicked. I have found his rhythms to be quite fast, though I'm not a guitarist, so I have never taken the time to compare the two to each other.
Great vid! Kirk Hammer's it home always.
Always nice to see Kirk getting the spotlight. He catches a lot of shit for his (overuse?) of the Wah, but I think that's also because most of us believe he can bring a lot more creativity and style.
Downstroking is my arch nemesis when it comes to guitar lmao when im tryin to do it my wrist just gives up
Finally! m/
Jon Schaeffer Iced Earth
Jon Schaffer would have to be a top contender as well if not nominated one of the absolute greatest down pickers
John Browne – Monuments is King of the Downstrokes
If anyone could give James a run for his money as the down picking king, I'd cast my vote for Eric Peterson of Testament, Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth, and this insanely good YouTube guitarist named Kevin Frasard.
I've seen so much hate for Kirk, never understood it… So he fluffs a solo every now and then? he comes from an era that pushed and then redefined the boundaries, with Metallica being at the edge of that envelope; he operates, for 2 to 3 hours at a time, at the edge of the envelope of what his generation thought possible. And he ain't getting any younger either… Breakdown like this shows exactly what a calm, seasoned, hyper skilled pro in the choir brings to support his brother struttin' his feathers at the front of the stage.
This is when not doing a little research shows…James said it himself that now that he's older he doesn't down pick like he used to…cause….he's older lol
Dave Mustaine recently gave his opinion on the best down stroking. He listed off James as the top but he also mentioned Kerry from slayer. What do you think of his playing?
…too bad his tone kinda sucks (go listen to "Satan" off of the Spawn soundtrack).
Not to take away from what you noticed about Kirk, but James has to play, sing, and be bandleader, and he's "loosened up" tastewise over the years, so it might just be the flair he puts on it now.
Iommi …?
Dave Linsk and Merritt Gant of OVERKILL have, do and ALWAYS WILL blow these weakings away.
And Dave Murry on the first 3 Iron Maiden albums was OUTRAGEOUS
Now let's talk a bit more serious. John Gallagher of Dying Fetus, Terrance Hobbs of Suffocation and Matt Sotelo of Decrepit Birth are hands-down the greatest masters of downstroke. Also Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman had been playing arm-breaking downstrokes in most of the Slayer songs. Behind The Crooked Cross is an example which they also avoided to play it live.
no mention of dimebag?
iM NOT EVEN GONNA PLAY THE VID AND ANSWER THE QUSTION THERE IS NOBODY THAT CAN DO IT BETTER THAN PAPA HET
Kirk the goat