Metallica shared a message on the band’s official X account reacting to Japanese singer Ado, who took an unconventional approach to covering “Enter Sandman,” according to x.com/Metallica.
The statement addressed Ado’s performances of the track at Summer Sonic, where she opened and closed the festival with renditions of the Metallica classic.
“Watching younger generations find their way to our music never gets old,” Metallica said. “It’s one of the best parts of doing this. But we’ve never seen it done quite like Ado just did it. Opening AND closing Summer Sonic with ‘Enter Sandman’?! We’re blown away. Thank you!”
Ado responded to the band’s message with her own note of appreciation.
“Your music transcends time, country, gender – everything!” Ado wrote. “We draw so much strength from your music! It’s truly an honor. Thank you so much.”
The praise came after a milestone weekend for both Ado and Summer Sonic. Summer Sonic marked its 25th anniversary this year. Ado served as headliner of the Marine Stage in Tokyo despite it being her first appearance at the festival.
She performed the “Enter Sandman” cover to open her set on August 15 in Tokyo. She then returned to the song for her encore that same night. The following day in Osaka, she closed her set with the track, giving the cover a bookend role across both shows.
Ado has built a reputation for reinterpreting songs with her own aggressive vocal delivery. Her take on the Metallica anthem was no exception. Rather than simply replicating the original, she brought her signature intensity to the arrangement, a choice that resonated strongly with both fans and the band itself.
Ado addressed the performance directly in a post of her own, revealing that the cover carried personal significance beyond the festival stage.
“For the encore, and also as the opening cover song, I got to sing Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ for the first time,” Ado wrote, reflecting on the milestone of performing the track publicly for the first time at Summer Sonic.
The exchange highlights the reach of Metallica’s catalog across generations and borders. The moment also underscores how far the band’s influence has traveled, reaching a new generation of artists who are reshaping classic rock staples for audiences worldwide. Further reactions from fans and the music community may follow.
