Unresolved Disputes: Did Metallica Plagiarize the ‘Enter Sandman’ Riff?

Determining plagiarism can be challenging. Unless a song unmistakably mirrors another work, allegations of copying often result in costly legal battles with little to show for it. This may explain why skatecore thrashers Excel opted not to pursue legal action when Metallica released ‘Enter Sandman’ two years after their own track.

‘Tapping Into The Emotional Void’ debuted in 1989 as part of Excel’s second album, The Joke’s on You. The album marked a departure from their earlier punk sound toward a more traditional thrash metal style reminiscent of bands like Anthrax. The instrumental intro of the song also evokes the syncopated rhythms of early groove metal.

1989 proved a peculiar year for heavy metal. Amid its triumphs, the Grammys incident involving Metallica and Jethro Tull left fans feeling disoriented, as if their cherished genre was under threаt from undeserving intruders. …And Justice for All, an intricate album, ushered in waves of prog metal through the eerie sounds of ‘One’.

‘One’ eventually earned the band a well-deserved Grammy. However, it was the subsequent album, Metallica, that cemented their status as heavy metal and hard rock icons. ‘Enter Sandman’, initially inspired by Soundgarden’s Louder Than Love, evolved into its own entity, morphing from its original two-bar length into a dynamic composition.

Initially, ‘Enter Sandman’ was instrumental. Vocal melodies and lyrics didn’t come to James Hetfield until the album was nearly complete. This process was intriguing, particularly since Hetfield credited ‘Enter Sandman’ with shaping Metallica’s entire direction.

Musically, ‘Enter Sandman’ is guitar-centric, immediately captivating listeners. It strikes a balance between accessibility and metal tendencies, drawing listeners in before abruptly releasing them. Similarly, Excel’s ‘Tapping Into The Emotional Void’ achieves a comparable feat.

Excel’s track features a longer intro, relying on drums and accompanying guitars to establish heaviness. It offers more musical freedom than Metallica’s piece, with guitar licks oscillating between higher and lower chords for depth and variation.

In contrast, ‘Enter Sandman’ starts subtly, gradually building intensity. Its polished arrangements enhance the impact of Hetfield’s vocals. Despite differences, similarities are evident, prompting Excel to consider further action.

Although Excel reportedly contemplated legal action, nothing transpired. Speculation suggests financial considerations and Metallica’s formidable stature deterred them from pursuing a public dispute.