I didn't want to fall into the trap of competing with all these other great guitar players. I just want to sidestep the whole thing and get out of the race.

I would have to say I'm bored with the standard rock, guitar solos, but I've done it for five albums now, and this time I wanted to go in a completely different direction. I wasn't interested in showing off any more.

Kirk Hammett, lead guitar and attempted vocals

Guitar players in the nineties seem to be reacting against the technique oriented eighties.

I didn't want to fall into the trap of competing with all these other great guitar players. I just want to sidestep the whole thing and get out of the race.

I'm very fortunate to be doing the thing I do best, which is play guitar. There aren't many other things I could do.