The University of South Carolina marching band won Metallica's contest. (Photo courtesy of the University of South Carolina)
The heavy metal rockers of Metallica named the Carolina Band the grand prize winner of its third annual collegiate marching band competition.
Bassist Robert Trujillo took to social media Friday to announce the University of South Carolina’s marching band had taken first place in the Division 1 category for its rendition of “Master of Puppets” and an arrangement of “Enter Sandman” by USC School of Music graduate assistant Ben Pouncey.
The band also played a version of “Lux Aeterna” that Metallica had arranged for the competitors.
The Carolina Band recorded the performance at halftime during the Oct. 18, 2025, home football game versus Oklahoma.
For the win, the band received $50,000 and the opportunity to record both a Metallica song and the “Campus Clash” theme song for an upcoming edition of the Electronic Arts Sports College Football video game.
Both recordings will be released on Spotify.
Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
