METALLICA guitarist KIRK HAMMETT brought more than just his legendary guitar collection to Budapest — he brought it to life. On June 12, Hammett hosted "The Collection: Live — A Conversation with Kirk Hammett" at Magyar Zene Háza (House of Hungarian Music), a lavish evening tied to his coffee table book of the same name published by Gibson Publishing.
The night took an electrifying turn when bassist ROBERT TRUJILLO appeared as a surprise guest, joining Hammett for an impromptu jam session that thrilled the intimate crowd. The two bandmates, who have anchored METALLICA's rhythm section together since 2003, made the moment feel spontaneous and deeply connected — a rare treat for fans who gathered not for a stadium show, but a book event.
These intimate gatherings are part of METALLICA's "M72" European tour weekend takeovers, where the band surrounds major concert cities with complementary experiences — exhibitions, film screenings, fan events, and now book celebrations.
"The Collection" is a 400-page premium hardcover documenting the instruments that have defined Hammett's career. Legendary rock photographer ROSS HALFIN captured the guitars in Hawaii and Los Angeles, showcasing rare and collectible instruments including the iconic 1979 Gibson Flying V and "Greeny" — the mythical 1959 Les Paul Standard once owned by FLEETWOOD MAC's PETER GREEN and later GARY MOORE before Hammett acquired it.
Actor JASON MOMOA, a lifelong METALLICA devotee, narrated the book's promotional video, reflecting that "every guitar has a story" and that collecting represents "an obsession, a passion, and a neverending quest."
Hammett joined METALLICA in 1983, replacing DAVE MUSTAINE on the eve of recording "Kill 'Em All." The band has since sold over 125 million albums worldwide, cementing themselves as one of the greatest and most commercially successful metal bands in history. For fans in Budapest that night, seeing two-fifths of that legacy share a stage in an intimate house of music was something money couldn't buy.