Metallica has once again asserted control over their music, forcing the U.S. Department of Defense to remove a drone promotion video featuring “Enter Sandman” after an unauthorized use sparked global outrage. This clash pits the metal giants against the Pentagon.
The Controversial Pentagon Drone Video Unveiled
The controversy erupted with a video posted on X on July 10, 2025, by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, showcasing U.S. drone technology. The clip featured Metallica’s 1991 hit “Enter Sandman” as Hegseth signed a memo titled “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance,” delivered by a drone. Within hours, the video was deleted and re-uploaded without music after X flagged a copyright violation, per a Pentagon statement on July 11. Fans and critics worldwide questioned the legality, with Metallica confirming the use was unauthorized to Rolling Stone.
Not Metallica’s First Stand Against Unauthorized Use
Metallica’s history of protecting their catalog is legendary. In 2000, they sued Napster, halting music piracy. In 2013, they objected to their music being used for Guantanamo interrogations, as noted by a Navy SEAL in Esquire. More recently, a June 14, 2025, Trump military parade used an instrumental “Enter Sandman,” prompting a cease-and-desist. This 2025 Pentagon incident marks their latest defense, with legal action swift and decisive.
Metallica’s Silent Protest: Actions Over Words
No official statement has emerged from Metallica as of July 14, 2025, but their legal team’s DMCA takedown request speaks volumes. The Pentagon’s Kingsley Wilson confirmed, “This afternoon, representatives from X reached out to DoD… The video has been taken down, corrected, and re-uploaded.” This move aligns with posts found on X praising Metallica’s stance against military misuse, reinforcing their anti-war ethos.
Metallica’s action highlights a critical issue: the unauthorized use of music in propaganda. Unlike public performance licenses for Trump rallies, this video required a synchronization license, absent here. The band’s stance protects artistic integrity, setting a precedent for musicians worldwide. X sentiment shows a split—some hail Metallica’s principles, others decry it as unpatriotic, fueling a cultural debate.
Masters of Their Own Destiny
“Enter Sandman” remains a gym and road-trip anthem, but Metallica ensures it’s not a war drone soundtrack. Their 2025 victory reinforces their legacy as masters of puppets—controlling their music’s narrative against all odds.
Metallica Forces Pentagon to Pull “Enter Sandman” from Drone Video: 2025 Copyright Clash Explained @RockNews
