"He and I have that kanaka thing, we're bros!" Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett on his friendship with Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa & Kirk Hammett
(Image credit: Jason Momoa: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Rex Rooms / Kirk Hammett: The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Gibson Publishing)

Last week, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett announced his new coffee table book The Collection: Kirk Hammett. As part of the book launch, a video was released of Jason Momoa narrating the book. In a new interview with Metal Hammer, Hammett discussed his friendship with the actor.

"Jason came over to my house recently at eight o'clock in the morning, so I cooked him breakfast," Kirk says. "We just sat down and geeked out about guitars all day. He's a big collector and really knows his shit. He isn't some come lately saying, 'Oh, I think I'll buy me a couple of guitars.' He knows them in and out - the makes, the models, which brands he loves and what's rare and what isn't. He's actually got this great Korina Explorer."

If you're wondering what a Hollywood actor and heavy metal icon have in common, in turns out there's a quite a lot that bonds the pair.

You may like

"He loves heavy metal too, so he and I have that kanaka thing, we're bros!" Kirk says. "Jason's a pretty decent guitar player, but his main instrument is bass. He's a good player man and super cool."

The book won't be the only time Momoa and Hammett cross paths this summer, however. In July, Momoa will be compèring the enormous Black Sabbath farewell show at Birmingham's Villa Park, which also features Metallica. Hammett admits he might've helped land Momoa the gig in the first place.

"It's funny, because he called me up [about the Sabbath show] like, 'Can you get me tickets?' I was like, 'Bro...' I had management send a message that Jason Momoa wanted to come to the Sabbath show, and next thing I know we'd been told Sharon Osbourne had called him to ask him to MC it! It was like, 'Hell yeah!' So our next phone call was like, 'I can't believe it!' 'Cool, I can give your ticket to someone else then!'"

The Collection: Kirk Hammett is available to order now via Gibson. Metallica's 2025 world tour kicks off in Syracuse on April 19. For the full list of dates, visit their official website.

Kirk Hammett's Guitar Collection – The Official Book | Gibson Publishing - YouTube Kirk Hammett's Guitar Collection – The Official Book | Gibson Publishing - YouTube
Watch On
Rich Hobson

Staff writer for Metal Hammer, Rich has never met a feature he didn't fancy, which is just as well when it comes to covering everything rock, punk and metal for both print and online, be it legendary events like Rock In Rio or Clash Of The Titans or seeking out exciting new bands like Nine Treasures, Jinjer and Sleep Token. 

Read more
Kirk Hammett performing with Metallica, playing his Les Paul guitar Greeny
Metallica’s Kirk Hammett announces new book with help from Jason Momoa: “I hope all of you enjoy this journey as much as I did!”
Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs at Ford Field on November 12, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan
"We were all basket cases! But we created this thing called Metallica that’s been our refuge." Kirk Hammett on 40 years in one of the biggest bands in the world
Jerry Cantrell and James Hetfield
"James and I have talked about it...kind of." Could James Hetfield and Jerry Cantrell make an album together one day?
Jerry Cantrell Press Pic 2024
"While I survived the 90s, not all of me did." Alice In Chains icon Jerry Cantrell on riffs, extreme metal and the best rock record to come from Seattle
Metallica in 1996
Metallica’s Kirk Hammett is open to making another Load-style album: “We might just say, ‘OK, let’s go back to the ’90s again.’ It’s not a bad idea.”
Kerry King in 2023 and Dave Mustaine onstage with Megadeth in 2024
“Dave Mustaine can’t help but stick his foot in his mouth”: Slayer’s Kerry King explains his relationships with Metallica members old and new
Latest in
Foreigner at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2024
Foreigner will complete their Historic Farewell Tour with four different singers – and one of them has recorded Spanish versions of their hits
Linkin Park 2024
Linkin Park launch "the best song we've ever made" Up From The Bottom
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Latest in News
Foreigner at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2024
Foreigner will complete their Historic Farewell Tour with four different singers – and one of them has recorded Spanish versions of their hits
Linkin Park 2024
Linkin Park launch "the best song we've ever made" Up From The Bottom
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works