Out Now: Listen to ‘Portals,’ a New EP of ‘Soundtracks to the Movies in Your Mind’ from Metallica’s Kirk Hammett

This quote, from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett regarding the conception of Portals, his debut solo EP released this past weekend for Record Store Day, sums up the project quite well:

“This music was created with what I describe as an Audio-Cinematic approach. They’re soundtracks to the movies in your mind.”

Over the years, Hammett has become known as much for his riffs in the thrash-metal legends’ catalog as his outside interests — such as movies. As a result, the four tracks on Portals span more than 27 minutes in accumulated length, fleshed-out compositional adventures that really allow Hammett to breathe, creatively speaking, free from the constraints of the “band mentality” that no doubt goes into Metallica studio sessions.

Thanks to everyone for the help and support on this one. My. @Metallica family and my #metallicafamily ! And thanks to https://t.co/SE6gT9HeUW for the animated excellence ! https://t.co/LNEWABayIW

— Kirk Hammett (@KirkHammett) April 22, 2022

Accompanying Hammett on the songs are contributors Abraham Laboriel, Greg Fidelman, Emmy-winning arranger Blake Neely and Bob Rock, as well as Kirk’s collaborator Edwin Outwater, who previously was a key figure in Metallica’s S&M2 live concerts and albums.

More from Kirk Hammett on the Portals project:

“Initially, before I even had the idea for a solo EP, I was inspired by the need to create some sort of soundtrack music to accompany The Kirk Hammett Collection for the first “It’s Alive” exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, 2017. I wanted to conceive music to play on a loop in the background as people walked through the exhibit. I sat down one night with a progression, and before I knew it, all the parts were there for “Maiden and the Monster.”

The initial concept for Portals started with that one song. Following that, I realized I could create different soundtrack moments. These songs are what I call ‘Audio Cinematic;’ I’m creating sounds and pieces of music for the movies playing in my head. Hopefully they’ll create movies in other people’s heads in a similar fashion.”

Stream it below.