What Kirk Hammett Thought of Rick Rubin's Work on Metallica's 'Death Magnetic' (Part 2)

**What Kirk Hammett Thought of Rick Rubin's Work on Metallica's 'Death Magnetic': 'He Was Never Around'**

In a recent interview, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett opened up about his experience working with legendary producer Rick Rubin on the band’s 2008 album, *Death Magnetic*. While the album marked a return to Metallica’s thrash metal roots and was widely praised by fans and critics, Hammett revealed that Rubin’s hands-off approach left him with mixed feelings.

Hammett candidly shared, “Rick Rubin was never around.” He explained that Rubin’s production style was more about delegating tasks to his team rather than being physically present in the studio. This absence was surprising to Hammett, who expected more direct involvement from the producer, especially given Rubin’s reputation for shaping iconic albums across multiple genres.

Despite Rubin’s minimal presence, Hammett acknowledged that Rubin’s overarching vision for *Death Magnetic* played a crucial role in steering the band back to their heavier, more aggressive sound after the experimental *St. Anger* era. Rubin encouraged Metallica to revisit their early influences, which ultimately revitalized their creative energy.

However, Hammett also hinted at some frustration, suggesting that Rubin’s absence may have left certain aspects of the album underdeveloped. He noted that Rubin’s team handled much of the technical work, which sometimes led to miscommunications and overlooked details.

In the end, *Death Magnetic* remains a pivotal album in Metallica’s discography, but Hammett’s comments shed light on the complexities of working with a producer who prefers to lead from afar. It’s a reminder that even legendary collaborations can have their challenges.

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