The Pentagon just learned the hard way that even the US military can’t “sleep with one eye open” when it comes to Metallica’s music. The Department of Defense thought they could soundtrack their drone warfare promotions with heavy metal anthems. They were wrong.
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a military drone demonstration video Friday, the soundtrack choice seemed perfect. “Enter Sandman” pumped through speakers as America’s deadliest flying machines danced across the screen. The irony was thick, using a song about nightmares to promote nightmare-inducing weaponry.
Metallica Strike Down Pentagon’s Drone Video in Copyright Showdown
But Metallica’s legal team moved faster than a thrash metal riff. The band issued a swift copyright notice that forced the Pentagon to yank the video from social media. The Department of Defense scrambled to comply, pulling the original post and replacing it with a sterile, music-free version that lacked the sonic punch of their initial attempt.
Metallica issued a copyright strike against the U.S. government for using their music in a military drone video
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) July 13, 2025
The Pentagon was forced to delete the video and re-uploaded it with no music pic.twitter.com/UjSXnuNTEL
A Pentagon spokesperson delivered the bureaucratic equivalent of a mea culpa: “This afternoon, representatives from X reached out to DoD regarding a video posted to our social media page and asked that the video be removed due to a copyright issue with the song Enter Sandman by Metallica.” The language was diplomatic, but the message was clear. The US military had been caught red-handed using copyrighted material without permission.
Metallica confirmed through Rolling Stone that the government’s use of their 1991 masterpiece was completely unauthorized. The band’s swift action demonstrates that copyright law doesn’t bend for military might. Even when promoting America’s most advanced defense technologies, the Pentagon must respect intellectual property rights just like any other content creator.
This clash between metal titans and military brass reveals a broader truth about digital content creation. Government agencies, despite their vast resources and legal departments, aren’t immune to copyright violations. When the stakes involve artistic integrity and unauthorized commercial use, Metallica proved they’ll defend their catalog against any adversary. Even one with the world’s largest military budget. The Pentagon learned that in the battle between “Enter Sandman” and enter lawsuit, the lawyers always win.
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