After an anonymous Navy SEAL credited with killing Osama bin Laden recently stated that Metallica requested their music not be used for military interrogation purposes, the band has gone on record to officially refute the claim.

“There has been a lot of talk recently about us asking the military not to use our music to ‘soften people up before interrogation,’ reads the statement on the Metallica website. “ We NEVER commented to the military either way on this matter.  Any statements that have been made otherwise are not correct.”

The response came after publication of widely discussed article “The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden…is Screwed” in Esquire magazine.

“When we first started the war in Iraq, we were using Metallica music to soften people up before we interrogated them,” said the Navy SEAL referred to as “the Shooter” in the Esquire piece. “Metallica got wind of this and they said, ‘Hey, please don’t use our music because we don’t want to promote violence.’ I thought, Dude, you have an album called Kill ‘Em All.”

The story goes on to detail how Christian metal band Demon Hunter “got in touch” with the Navy SEALS to show their support, supplying the soldiers with CDs and band merch (“The Shooter” claims to have been wearing a Demon Hunter patch when he killed bin Laden).

It was recently announced that world champion Major League Baseball team the San Francisco Giants will host a special “Metallica Night” on May 3 when they play inter-state rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Members of hometown heroes Metallica will be on hand to throw out the first pitch and sing the National Anthem. The band’s music will be featured throughout the game, and fans will receive special edition Metallica/Giants baseball caps.

-Scott T. Sterling, CBS Local