Gary Holt discussed a hypothetical scenario about joining Metallica during an interview with David Ellefson on YouTube.
“Probably not. ‘Cause at that time in my life, change was scary to me. I was always happy where I was comfortable. I would’ve probably said no,” Holt explained.
“At the time, [before they recorded] ‘Kill ‘Em All’… If you joined, you were joining a great band, but you were joining a band that was about to put out an independent album and were playing clubs,” he continued. “You didn’t know they were gonna be [what they eventually became.] If I had been asked and knew now in the future of what they’d become, I would’ve traveled back in time and kicked my own a** to take that job.”
Holt’s statement reflects on the early days of the thrash metal scene and the career-defining moments that shaped the genre’s history.
The hypothetical scenario holds particular significance within the historical context of Metallica’s evolution and the Bay Area thrash metal scene.
Ultimate Metallica documented that Kirk Hammett joined the band in 1983. His arrival followed Dave Mustaine’s departure, marking a pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory.
The connection between Hammett and Holt extends beyond their professional paths. Historical records from Wikipedia revealed that Hammett co-founded Exodus with Holt. Their collaboration helped establish the foundations of thrash metal.
Hammett’s impact on Metallica became evident through his contributions to iconic songs. His distinctive riff work on tracks like ‘Enter Sandman’ helped define the band’s signature sound.
The San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal scene fostered both Metallica and Exodus. Documented interviews highlighted how this musical movement influenced metal bands worldwide.
