The Carolina Band to explore it’s ‘metal’ side

Mighty Sound of the Southeast keeps momentum going with new collab

Last Friday, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo announced the winners of the 2026 Metallica Marching Band Competition.

In a video played during the band’s annual banquet, Trujillo named The Carolina Band as the first-place winner in the Division I category.

As the Division I winner, the Carolina Band won $50,000 in merchandise and equipment and will have the opportunity to record a Metallica song and the theme song for the wildly popular EA Sports™ College Football video game this spring.

Carolina Band Director Jay Jacobs says this competition created by the heavy metal band is an incredibly special opportunity for band programs across the country.

“Marching band students work hard to bring their shows to hundreds of thousands of fans each fall. What better way is there to showcase the classic music of Metallica than with the sights and sounds of America’s marching bands? The Metallica team went the extra mile to spotlight the unique cultural contributions marching bands bring to the world, and our students were thrilled to bring Metallica’s powerful and impactful music to 80,000 Gamecock fans in Williams-Brice Stadium,” Jacobs said.

“Considering the amazing performances by extraordinary bands, we are extremely honored to be selected as the 2025 Collegiate Division 1 winner. This is a historic moment in the history of The Carolina Band at the University of South Carolina. Congratulations to all the participating bands on their performances!”

National recognition is becoming commonplace for the band, which was selected to march in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024.

“The students have done just marvelous work, and with their faculty and staff leaders, their achievements keep adding up, reflecting their quality and commitment. We are grateful to Metallica and to EA Sports for this distinctive acknowledgement of what really matters in our world, and look forward to connecting with them both for years to come,” USC School of Music Dean Tayloe Harding said.