Kirk Hammett does not play on the original recording of “Nothing Else Matters.”
James Hetfield plays the guitars and sings, while Lars Ulrich plays drums and Jason Newsted plays bass on the album track. Hammett is absent from the studio recording even though he appears in the music video and performs the song live with Metallica.
The song began with Hetfield recording an acoustic guitar idea while away from the band. Its finished arrangement includes the London Symphony Orchestra, arranged by Michael Kamen, which gives the track its expansive sound.
Hammett's later live role can create confusion because audiences commonly see him perform the song with the group. He has also played the acoustic introduction in concert. The original album credits, however, distinguish the studio lineup from the band's stage presentation. This is one reason the track is often discussed separately from Metallica's usual two-guitar performance format.