I really like Kirk Hammett. He's played some of the most popular lead guitar parts in modern rock, and they're popular for a reason - they're distinctive, energetic, and well-written. He's no technical prodigy, but he is by no means a slouch in that department, as evidenced by his work on ...And Justice for All in particular. Postmodern and neo-classical shredders may look down their noses at him, but I bet a lot of them would give anything to have come up with a solo like "One", "The Thing That Should Not Be", "Wherever I May Roam" or "Dyer's Eve".