METALLICA has revealed the winners of the latest installment of its “For Whom The Band Tolls!” marching band competition, which encourages collegiate bands to showcase their most captivating performances of the band’s iconic music.
Originally launched last year, this competition invites marching bands from all levels to create original interpretations of METALLICA songs. Participants had access to Hal Leonard sheet music featuring classics such as “Seek & Destroy” and “Hit The Lights” from their debut album “Kill ‘Em All,” as well as tracks from “Ride The Lightning,” “Master Of Puppets,” and their self-titled “Black Album.” The competition also featured songs from their later albums, including “Load,” “Reload,” and “72 Seasons.”
Entries were required by November 1, with fan voting taking place from November 4 to November 30. A panel of professional high school judges narrowed the submissions down to five finalists, and METALLICA personally selected the ultimate winners in each category, with fan votes being counted for the fan-favorite awards. Additionally, bands that opted not to compete for prizes participated in a Showcase category, where their performances were displayed but not evaluated for awards.
In a statement, METALLICA expressed their excitement about the entries: “Last year, we challenged marching bands at all collegiate levels to come up with the most exciting, unique, and impressive performances of our songs. The submissions are in, we’ve watched the videos, and we’re thrilled to announce that the University of South Carolina has taken the top prize in the 2025 Collegiate Edition of the annual competition. Congratulations Gamecocks! A huge thank you to all the incredible bands who participated this year.”
The winners, spanning seven categories, will receive a total of over $165,000 in prizes, including musical instruments and equipment for their respective school programs. As an exciting development, this year’s Division 1 winner will also have the chance to record a METALLICA song along with the EA SPORTS College Football Theme Song, both of which will be featured in the EA SPORTS College Football video game.
For further details and updates, fans can visit metallicamarchingband.com. This initiative not only spotlights musical talent across collegiate bands but also strengthens the connection between the artists and their dedicated fanbase, fostering a community united through the love of music.