Mass Movement Magazine

Too Much Horror Business – Kirk Hammett & Steffan Chirazi (Abrams Image)
Having followed Metallica for many years, I knew guitar player Kirk Hammett was a rabid horror memorabilia collector, but it only just struck me, after having read the book, how relevant his collection actually is. Every single poster, mask and figurine, going back to the early days of cinema, are pieces of art, and not only tell stories of the ghouls they portray, but also the actors who played them, and the artists who drew them. Some pieces are very rare, collectible and thus extremely expensive and Hammett has gone through his collection and given us a glimpse of his world via this amazing hardback. Steffan Chirazi, mostly known for his work for the Metallica fan club magazine ‘So What!’ has penned some great anecdotes from Hammett, and the book itself also offers some insight into who ‘that-quiet-guy-in-Metallica’ really is. The photography and general layout are amazing, and not just for those who like horror, as the book also helps demonstrate how the mind of a collector works, regardless of the field of expertise. A must-have, essential tome for horror and Metallica fans, and for collectors as well… Martijn Welzen