Which Metallica album track uses the melody of “America” from West Side Story in its introduction?

“Don’t Tread on Me” uses the melody of “America” from West Side Story in its introduction.

The familiar opening figure comes from “America,” a melody composed by Leonard Bernstein for the musical West Side Story. Metallica incorporated that melody into the introduction of the song, creating a brief musical reference before the band’s own arrangement begins.

“Don’t Tread on Me” takes its title from the motto associated with the Gadsden flag, whose imagery also influenced The Black Album’s cover. The cover features a coiled snake and the Metallica logo against a dark background, connecting the song’s title and the packaging’s visual design.

Unlike the album’s five commercial singles, “Don’t Tread on Me” was issued to rock radio promotionally but did not receive a commercial single release. It remains part of the original 12-track album sequence and is often discussed alongside the record’s patriotic and political imagery.