'Metal and horror capture our dark emotions': Kirk Hammett on his lifelong obsession with classic horror

It would make sense that one of metal's most fearsome guitarists is also a fan of things that inspire fear. Kirk Hammett, best known as the lead guitarist of Metallica, has been obsessed with horror movie memorabilia since childhood. He owns one of the biggest collections in the world and it's on display now at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Hammett joined host Tom Power in the q studio to tell us more about the exhibit and his lifelong obsession with classic horror films.

"Heavy metal and horror are really good at capturing our dark emotions — the dark emotions that everyone experiences in life," said Hammett. "A good heavy metal song has a lot of the same ingredients that a good horror movie has: intensity, drama, a feeling of suspense, aggression, release of aggression, energy, adrenaline, a sense of relief and then, afterwards, just total satisfaction."

See some of the art from Hammett's collection below.

Hammett's collection of classic horror and sci-fi memorabilia is on display now at the ROM. The exhibit is called It's Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection and it runs until Jan. 5, 2020.

Download our podcast or click 'Listen' near the top of this page to hear the full conversation with Kirk Hammett.

— Produced by Mitch Pollock and Tamica Marcano