"Tim Henson acknowledges Kirk Hammett's ambivalent reaction to Henson's 'boomer bends' remarks"
In a surprising turn of events, guitar virtuoso Tim Henson, a member of the progressive rock band Polyphia, has responded to comments made by Kirk Hammett, the legendary guitarist from Metallica, regarding Henson's controversial stance on 'boomer bends'. The conversation, which has been a topic of discussion for three years, has seen Henson's sentiments being widely misunderstood and misinterpreted by guitar fans.
The chain of events began when Henson's name was brought up in an interview about Hammett's activities. The metal maestro, in a podcast, acknowledged and discussed Henson's playing, praising his technique but questioning its accessibility to casual listeners. He suggested that Polyphia’s music is "only accessible to… a very small category of people".
Upon receiving a Google alert about Hammett's response, Henson was both surprised and flattered. He expressed, "Oh my God. This is a compliment and a diss at the same time from fucking Kirk Hammett!" Showing a mix of humour and surprise, Henson took Hammett’s mixed feedback—acknowledging both the praise for his innovative technique and the critique on accessibility—in stride.
Henson's bandmate, Scott LePage, had mixed reactions to Hammett's comments. While Henson saw the silver lining, LePage, Henson's guitar foil in Polyphia, felt let down. However, Henson did not express any resentment towards Hammett's comments, instead appreciating the legend's recognition even when it's coupled with constructive criticism.
In a recent development, Henson has expressed interest in working with Kirk Hammett on a tour. He has even issued a public plea for both bands to tour together. This potential collaboration, if it materialises, would undoubtedly be a dream come true for many music enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, Henson has been keeping busy with other projects. He was chosen by Hans Zimmer to work on the soundtrack for the recent F1 film, a secret project that Henson discussed at NAMM this year. With such a diverse portfolio, it's clear that Henson is not just a guitar prodigy but a versatile artist with a bright future ahead.
Despite the controversy surrounding his comments on 'boomer bends', Henson clarified his stance in 2021, stating that no one said you couldn't bend. He emphasised that his preference was simply for avoiding 'boomer-ish' bends in his playing, not a blanket condemnation of the technique.
As the 'boomer bends' conversation continues to evolve, it's clear that Henson and Hammett's exchange has added an interesting chapter to the discourse. Fans of both artists can only hope that their mutual respect and admiration will lead to a collaboration in the near future.
- Tim Henson, the guitar virtuoso from progressive rock band Polyphia, has expressed interest in working with Kirk Hammett, the legendary guitarist from Metallica, on a tour.
- Henson's diverse portfolio, which includes working with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for the recent F1 film, showcases his versatility as an artist.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his comments on 'boomer bends', Henson clarified his stance in 2021, emphasizing that he prefers to avoid 'boomer-ish' bends, not condemn the technique outright.
- The exchange between Henson and Hammett, sparked by Hammett's comments on Henson's playing and accessibility, has added an interesting chapter to the evolving discourse on 'boomer bends'.
- polarizing figure in pop-culture and music, Henson's innovative electric guitar technique has been praised by celebrities and influencers in the entertainment industry.
