Kirk Hammett does not play guitar on the studio recording of “Nothing Else Matters.”
James Hetfield performed the song’s guitar parts for the album version, including its distinctive acoustic introduction and layered guitar work. The song began as a private guitar idea Hetfield played while talking on the phone, before being developed into a Metallica composition.
Hammett appears in the song’s music video and has performed it live with the band, which can cause confusion about his role on the original recording. His absence is specifically notable because he was Metallica’s lead guitarist during the album’s production.
The finished track also includes orchestral arrangement by Michael Kamen, performances by the London Symphony Orchestra, and tambourine by engineer Randy Staub. Onstage, Hammett later became associated with performing the acoustic opening, but that live role does not change the personnel credited on the studio recording.