Which member of Metallica wrote the central guitar riff for “Enter Sandman”?

Kirk Hammett wrote the central guitar riff for Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”

Hammett brought the riff idea to the songwriting process, and it became the foundation of the track. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich then helped shape the song’s structure, lyrics, and final arrangement. The finished recording turned the riff into one of the most recognizable openings in heavy metal.

The division of credit can be confusing because Metallica’s songs are usually developed collaboratively. Hetfield wrote the vocals and lyrics for “Enter Sandman,” while Ulrich played a major role in arranging and refining the composition. The official songwriting credits list all three musicians.

The song’s subject also evolved during its development. Early ideas concerned crib death, but the completed lyrics broadened the theme into a child’s nightmares and fears at bedtime. That combination of a memorable riff and unsettling imagery helped make the song the defining introduction to The Black Album.