"My collection takes me to a place where I need to be," said Hammett. "Among the monsters, where I'm most comfortable and most creative. From the moment I first encountered these characters, I could see that these guys had just as much difficulty in coping as I did. It's a very, very dark universe when we shut our eyes at night."
It's Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi from the Kirk Hammett Collection is on view now through November 26 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. See the website for more information, including hours and ticket prices.