Which guitarist wrote the main riff for Metallica's “Enter Sandman”?

Kirk Hammett wrote the main riff for Metallica's “Enter Sandman.” The riff became the musical foundation of the lead single from The Black Album and one of the most familiar guitar figures in heavy metal.

Hammett brought the idea to the band's writing process after being influenced by Soundgarden's 1989 album Louder Than Love. The initial guitar figure was developed and arranged with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, who helped turn it into a complete song. Producer Bob Rock also played an important role in refining the recording's impact.

The final track is not simply a showcase for one musician. Hetfield wrote the lyrics and performed the rhythm guitars and vocals, while Ulrich's drum arrangement gave the song its spacious, emphatic pulse. The combination of a memorable riff, a compact structure, and a dark lyrical theme made the song especially effective as an introduction to the album.

Hammett's authorship is sometimes confused with the song's full writing credit. Metallica's songs commonly emerged from collaboration, so the principal riff writer is not necessarily the sole credited composer.