Which Metallica band member wrote the main guitar riff for “Enter Sandman”?

Kirk Hammett wrote the main guitar riff for Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The riff became the musical foundation of the song and one of the most recognizable guitar figures in the band’s catalog.

Hammett brought the idea to the songwriting process after being influenced by the sound and approach of other contemporary rock and metal recordings. The song was then developed collaboratively by Hammett, vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, and producer Bob Rock.

The finished track was the first song written for The Black Album, although its lyrics came later. Hetfield wrote the lyrics after the band discussed broadening the song’s initial focus on crib death into a more general portrayal of childhood nightmares and fears.

A common error is assigning the riff to Hetfield because he played rhythm guitar and wrote most of the album’s lyrics. Hammett is the credited writer of the distinctive opening riff, while the song’s final composition reflects contributions from several members and Rock.