Kirk Hammett, best known as the famed guitarist of the rock band METALLICA, is also an avid collector of classic horror and sci-fi movie posters. Visually arresting, these posters are potent historical objects of burgeoning Golden-Era Hollywood and recall a time when poster design was an art unto itself. The exhibition features 90 works that trace Hammett's collecting journey and examine how he draws inspiration from this material for his own gothic creativity. Posters and other memorabilia — such as collectible electric guitars, monster masks and sculptures — are paired with clips from their corresponding movies and insight into the evolution of horror and sci-fi film. The exhibition is being held at the Peabody Essex Museum located in Salem, Massachusetts and runs through November 26. For more information, visit PEM.org. Speaking about his love of all things horror and the parallels between horror movies and heavy metal, Hammett said: "Heavy metal and horror movies come from the same sources, they come from the same seeds, they have a lot of the same imagery and subject matter and whatnot. And for myself, part of the appeal of horror movies is coming in contact with my own mortality but not having to pay the price. Or, like, reliving a death or something without having to go through the actual experience. Bringing yourself to a point where you're maybe in a state of fear, but for your own pleasure." He continued: "Watching a good horror movie makes my adrenaline go. And for me, it's great, it's the ultimate. I mean, some people like action films. Me, [I like] horror movies." Hammett released a coffee table book in 2012 called "Too Much Horror Business" that featured photos of his extensive collection of monster and horror memorabilia. He displayed a portion of his collection in the "Kirk's Crypt" exhibition during the 2012 and 2013 Orion Music + More festivals. The METALLICA guitarist is also known as the Fear FestEvil horror convention organizer.
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