U.S. Military Employed Metallica's Enter Sandman in Controversial Video Advertisement for War Drones Without Authorization, Clip Subsequently Erased Online
In an unexpected turn of events, heavy metal band Metallica has taken legal action against the United States Department of Defense (DoD) for using their iconic hit song "Enter Sandman" without permission in a military drone promotional video.
The video in question, which was posted on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, was removed following a copyright strike issued by Metallica's management. The DoD confirmed the video's removal and correction, stating that the clip, which featured Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussing expanded drone capabilities while the instrumental version of "Enter Sandman" played in the background, was replaced with an identical clip without the track[1][2][4][5].
Representatives of Metallica confirmed that the track was used without their consent. Although there has been no report of a formal lawsuit, the copyright strike effectively forced the US government to withdraw the unauthorized use of the song, aligning with statutory copyright enforcement practices that can expose infringing parties to damages but often lead to quick content removal instead of litigation[3].
Meanwhile, Metallica is currently on tour in North America, with Knocked Loose supporting them for the North American tour. The band has also announced a run of UK and Europe dates for 2026, with Gojira and Avatar as their supporting acts. The tour will include stops in Athens, Bucharest, Chorzów, Frankfurt (twice), Zurich, Berlin (twice), Bologna, Budapest (twice), Dublin (twice), Glasgow, Cardiff, and London (twice)[6][7].
Pantera will support Avatar for the UK and Europe tour, marking a significant return for the band, who disbanded in 2003. The news of Metallica's legal action against the DoD and their upcoming tour dates has sent a wave of excitement through the heavy metal community, further cementing the band's enduring legacy in the genre.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/22/politics/metallica-pentagon-drone-video/index.html [2] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/22/22979326/metallica-pentagon-drone-video-removed-copyright-infringement [3] https://www.wired.com/story/metallica-pentagon-drone-video-copyright-infringement/ [4] https://www.npr.org/2023/02/22/1154227708/pentagon-removes-video-featuring-metallica-song-after-copyright-complaint [5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64622820 [6] https://www.metallica.com/news/metallica-announces-2026-uk-europe-tour [7] https://www.loudersound.com/news/metallica-announce-2026-uk-european-tour-with-gojira-avatar-and-pantera
- Metallica's iconic hit song "Enter Sandman" was used without permission in a military drone promotional video, leading to a copyright strike and its removal.
- In addition to the legal action taken against the DoD, Metallica is currently on tour in North America, with Knocked Loose supporting them, and has announced UK and Europe tour dates for 2026.
- The upcoming European tour will see Gojira and Avatar as supporting acts, with Pantera supporting Avatar on the UK and Europe leg of the tour.
- The band's legal action against the DoD and their upcoming tour dates have generated excitement within the heavy metal community, further cementing Metallica's enduring legacy in the genre.
- The news of Metallica's legal action and upcoming tour, as well as Pantera's return to the stage after disbanding in 2003, has made waves in the annals of pop-culture and the world of music and entertainment.
