1. “Enter Sandman” – Main riff by Kirk Hammett
Yep, the iconic Sandman chug-chug was actually Kirk’s baby. Producer Bob Rock and Lars helped tweak it, but it was Hammett who birthed the riff that launched a thousand mosh pits.
2. “The Day That Never Comes” – Intro riff by Kirk Hammett
That beautiful, soaring clean intro? That was Kirk flexing his melodic side before the track morphs into classic Metallica ballad-to-barrage mayhem.
3. “To Live Is To Die” – Main riffs by Cliff Burton (posthumous)
Built from Cliff’s leftover demo tapes, this instrumental is a haunting tribute using his unused riffs. A final farewell from the bass wizard. 🖤
4. “Cyanide” – Riff contributions by Lars Ulrich
While Lars isn’t a guitarist, he’s known to hum and bang out riff ideas to the band. On “Cyanide,” he helped shape the groove alongside the rest.
5. “My Friend of Misery” – Intro and bass riff by Jason Newsted
This haunting, slow-burning intro was originally a full instrumental by Jason — his biggest compositional credit on the Black Album.
6. “The Call of Ktulu” – Many riffs by Cliff Burton
The eerie, cosmic madness of Ktulu owes a lot to Cliff’s love of Lovecraft and classical influences. He co-wrote many of the track’s progressive shifts.
7. “Orion” – Most midsection riffs by Cliff Burton
The hypnotic midsection, especially that gorgeous bass harmony part? Pure Cliff magic. ✨
8. “Suicide & Redemption” – Clean intro and solo riff by Kirk Hammett
This instrumental from Death Magnetic was Kirk’s playground — finally giving him room to breathe with longer solos and riff writing.
9. “Frantic” – Riff and song structure by Lars Ulrich
Love it or hate it, Lars had a big hand in “Frantic” — one of the rawest tracks from St. Anger. Yes, that Frantic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic one.
10. “Am I Evil?” – Cover riff by Brian Tatler (Diamond Head)
OK, Metallica didn’t write this — Brian Tatler of Diamond Head did — but Metallica made it theirs in legendary fashion. A riff so heavy it broke the Earth’s crust.
11. “Stone Cold Crazy” – Cover riff by Queen
Another cover, another killer riff! Originally by Queen, Metallica beefed this one up into a thrash metal face-smasher. Cheers, Freddie. 🎤👑
12. “The Unforgiven III” – Orchestral motifs and piano riffs by Greg Fidelman & Lars Ulrich
Unforgiven goes cinematic! Lars and producer Fidelman shaped this beast with layered strings and mood — more symphony than shred.
13. “I Disappear” – Chorus riff by Kirk Hammett
That slick, movie-ready chorus riff that made it into Mission: Impossible 2? That’s Kirk turning the volume up to 11 in a Hollywood moment.
14. “No Leaf Clover” – Orchestral backbone by Michael Kamen
While James did write some riffs, the orchestral metal blend was hugely shaped by Kamen’s arrangements and Lars’ vision.
15. “Ronnie” – Twangy intro riff by Kirk Hammett
That southern-tinged, clean-tone riff on Load? Yep, that was Kirk getting all swampy and bluesy on us.
16. “ManUNkind” – Intro riff by Robert Trujillo
Trujillo brings the funk-metal thunder with a twisted, almost Primus-like intro riff. Big creepy vibes — and it slaps. 💀
17. “All Within My Hands (Acoustic)” – Reworked arrangement by Kirk & Lars
The acoustic charity version gets a totally new identity, mostly rearranged by Kirk and Lars. Less thrash, more feels.
18. “Bleeding Me” – Mood riffs by Kirk Hammett
That hypnotic groove? Kirk helped set the tone for this emotionally charged slow-burner from Load.
19. “Low Man’s Lyric” – Mandolin and clean riffs shaped by Bob Rock & Kirk
Yeah, there’s a mandolin. Kirk and Bob brought that dusty, folky weirdness to life — an oddball riff journey.
20. “Some Kind of Monster” – Chunky intro riffs by Lars & Kirk
St. Anger again? Yep. The monster jam session format saw Lars and Kirk just riffing until it stuck. Pure garage chaos.
🎤 C’MON BUTT, WHAT’S OCCURRING?
So next time someone says “James Hetfield is Metallica,” you can raise a skeptical brow and whip out this list. Sure, he’s the king of the down-pick, but Metallica’s legacy is bigger than one man — it’s a swirling riff cauldron of creativity, chaos, and the occasional Lars cowbell. 🥁
Let us know your fave non-Hetfield Metallica riff down in the comments — or scream it from the front row.
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Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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