Kirk Hammett is continuing a recent re-connection with his pre-Metallica bandmates in Exodus, adding a solo to their forthcoming studio album.

Hammett tells Rolling Stone that the track, called 'Salt in the Wound,' grew out of time spent with Exodus drummer Tom Hunting and guitarist Gary Holt. "It felt really casual, really cool -- just like it did back in 1980 when we were all just hanging out," says Hammett, who describes his riff contribution as "super heavy."

Hammett was a member of the early Bay Area thrash outfit from 1980-83, appearing on a long-sought-after 1982 demo. He left for Metallica before Exodus began its best-known period of music making in the mid-to-late-'80s. A riff originally written for his old band found its way into the bridge for Metallica's 'Creeping Death,' from 1984's 'Ride the Lightning.' Otherwise, the two bands moved in parallel worlds until Hammett made a pair of on-stage appearances with Exodus in February and again last week -- both times at Fear FestEvil-related events.

"Me, recording a solo on their album was a huge thing for me," Hammett adds. "Other than the Exodus demo that's been heard by a lot of people, it's the only time I ever recorded with Exodus. It was a huge thing for me."

'Salt in the Wound' will appear on an album that finds Exodus reuniting with turn-of-the-'90s frontman Steve Souza, as well. Meanwhile, Metallica has been playing its new song 'Lords of Summer' during a series of summer concerts that will continue through the Heavy MTL Fest in Montreal this August.

Hammett says he hopes that leads to a new studio effort from his current band, as well. "Whether the songs will actually sound like 'Lords of Summer' or not remains to be seen, because we still have to write them," he says, "but that's the general direction we're headed in."

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