Metallica, the iconic American heavy metal band, has once again demonstrated their fierce commitment to protecting their intellectual property, forcing the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to remove a promotional video featuring their 1991 hit “Enter Sandman” after it was used without permission. The video, posted on X by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on 11 July 2025, showcased the Trump administration’s push for “American drone dominance” through a new executive order. The original clip, set to the pulsating riffs of “Enter Sandman,” was swiftly taken down after Metallica issued a copyright notice, with the Pentagon re-uploading a version without the track. This incident underscores the band’s long-standing vigilance over their music’s usage, a stance that has defined their approach since their landmark lawsuit against Napster in 2000.
The Pentagon’s video, which featured Hegseth signing a memo delivered by a Skydio X10D quadcopter drone, aimed to highlight efforts to reduce bureaucratic obstacles in domestic drone production and counter foreign competition, particularly from China. However, the unauthorised inclusion of “Enter Sandman” drew immediate attention from fans and industry observers, many of whom questioned the DoD’s compliance with copyright law. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed on 12 July 2025 that X representatives contacted the department, requesting the video’s removal due to the copyright violation. The DoD promptly complied, issuing a statement: “The video has been taken down, corrected, and re-uploaded to our page.” Metallica’s representative also verified to Rolling Stone that the song’s use was “absolutely not authorised.”
This is not the first time Metallica has taken a stand against unauthorised use of their music. The band’s history of legal action, most notably their 2000 lawsuit against Napster for enabling illegal file-sharing, has cemented their reputation as staunch defenders of their creative rights. Their music, including anti-war songs like “One” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” has also been misused in military contexts before, such as during the Iraq War when it was reportedly used to “soften up” detainees. In 2013, Metallica requested the military cease such practices after learning of this, with drummer Lars Ulrich later expressing discomfort over the lack of control once their music is released. This latest incident with the Pentagon further highlights the band’s consistent efforts to distance their work from military or political endorsements they do not support.
The episode also raises broader questions about ethical compliance within the U.S. government, particularly as the DoD demands stringent standards from private drone companies under initiatives like the Blue sUAS Framework. Industry experts have pointed out the irony of the Pentagon’s oversight, with one UAS compliance advisor noting, “If you’re mandating that drone companies build from the ground up with strict sourcing, licensing, and cybersecurity standards — and then your own department cuts corners on basic copyright law — that’s a serious credibility gap.” The incident has sparked discussions on X, with some users exaggerating claims, such as accusations that Metallica “hates our troops,” while others defend the band’s right to control their music’s use, especially given their anti-war themes.
Metallica’s decisive action against the Pentagon reflects not only their commitment to copyright protection but also their broader stance on how their music is used in politically charged contexts. As the band prepares for their 2026 UK and Europe tour, including dates in Dublin, Glasgow, Cardiff, and London, their influence remains undeniable, both in music and in asserting control over their artistic legacy. This incident serves as a reminder that even powerful institutions like the U.S. military are not above the law when it comes to intellectual property. For Metallica, it’s a continuation of their fight to ensure their music is used in ways that align with their values, reinforcing their legacy as one of heavy metal’s most principled and uncompromising acts.
