Portals
| Kirk Hammett
Portals
Portals is the first solo extended play (EP) by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, released on April 23, 2022 through Blackened Recordings. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Pitchfork
The first-ever proper side project from a Metallica member indulges the guitarist’s cinematic aspirations over sweeping compositions that could accompany zombie westerns or apocalyptic sci-fi.
-
Ultimate Classic Rock
Ironically, Portals achieves its most epic grandeur on its most concise track, the sub-five-minute lead single "High Plains Drifter." With its evocative string arrangement, playful piano flourishes and gorgeous, soaring guitar solo, "High Plains Drifter" stakes its claim as the most dynamic piece of music Hammett has written in the past 30 years. It's also remarkably, almost disconcertingly, similar to "The Ecstasy of Gold," the Ennio Morricone composition that's been opening Metallica concerts since 1983. It's hard to fault Hammett for being influenced by what he knows — and it's mighty impressive that he came within striking distance of the master on his first try.
-
Wall of Sound
But far from a rehash of his Metallica contributions, Portals really shows what Hammett can do as a composer and guitarist, with different moods and tones from song to song. Each represents a different scene or even film, the lack of lyrics and vocals giving listeners space to interpret their resulting daydreams as they see fit. If you enjoy instrumental albums then Portals is well worth checking out, though it probably won’t hold the attention of most Metallica fans, it is a rewarding sonic experience that I will be returning to when the mood strikes.
-
Sputnik Music
overall, however, Hammett's passion project asserts itself as a perfectly valid and highly enjoyable curve-ball from a musician usually accused of staying in his artistic comfort zone, and who – at nearly sixty years of age, and as a part of one of the most successful bands in rock and metal History – really had no need to ever leave it. Good thing he did, though, as the result of his efforts could well come to be seen as the best Metallica-related release in almost two and a half decades.
-
The Mic Magazine
The EP as a whole feels remarkably continuous, and I must commend Hammett on this, as for his first ever proper release without Metallica this feels very well put together, well thought out, and above all enjoyable to listen to. My favourite track would have to be the single, High Plains Drifter, purely because the transition on it from slow to fast just hit all the right spots in my brain and I absolutely loved the energy throughout, however there isn’t a bad moment on this EP. Whether this is an excellent start to what may be a budding solo career, or a great one off effort, if you’re at all interested in Metallica, Kirk Hammett, instrumental music or just trying something cool I would definitely recommend you give this a go.
-
Metal Forces Magazine
Portals – unlike Metallica over the past couple of decades – doesn’t rehash or feel false. Instead, it floats with ease, casting off vapours in daydream swirls while applying spicier metallic chunks. This isn’t quite the portal to another dimension I was expecting, but more of a fleeting glimpse of wonder and ease; expressive yet still kind of predictable, but engaging enough for its duration.
-
Stereoboard
Although fans will drool over Hammett’s use of pedals, modal scales and phrasing, his playing is never gratuitous. Whether in unison with scything cellos, playing call and response with his orchestra, or sagely sitting back and letting them culture the atmosphere, everything here services songs that, courtesy of judicious twists and strong repeated motifs, are perfectly paced.
-
BraveWords
Portals plays out like mini-movies, or soundtracks to a theatrical film. Kirk shows an adept ability to string notes together that blend magnificently with the softer and symphonic parts of the songs. There’s almost a ‘70s progressive bent to the tracks as Hammett is freeform and just goes for it as he's clearly having a ton of fun putting this beast together. I want this Kirk on future Metallica releases!
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments