James Hetfield Calls Tony Iommi His Ultimate Riff Lord

In a recent episode of his SiriusXM show, James Hetfield, the frontman of Metallica, expressed his admiration for Black Sabbath’s legendary guitarist, Tony Iommi, dubbing him his personal ‘riff lord.’ Hetfield highlighted Iommi’s influence on his rhythm guitar playing and songwriting, particularly praising the iconic riff from Sabbath’s classic track, ‘Children Of The Grave.’

Hetfield stated, ‘Tony Iommi is the riff lord in my mind. He is the one that has inspired me the most out of any guitar player.’ He elaborated on the significance of the song’s opening riff, emphasizing how it sets the tone for the entire track.

Iommi, co-founder of Black Sabbath, has been a pivotal figure in heavy metal music, with his down-tuned riffs shaping the genre since the late 1960s. Hetfield’s respect for Iommi is longstanding; he once declared Black Sabbath as his favorite band, recalling how he discovered their music through his brother’s record collection.

The connection between Metallica and Black Sabbath runs deep, with both bands sharing the stage multiple times over the years. Hetfield’s heartfelt tribute to Iommi serves as a reminder of the lasting impact that Sabbath has had on rock music.

Source: www.loudersound.com

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