10 Times People Tried to Weaponize Music

Music has been a powerful tool for expression, unity, and emotion throughout human history. But in some cases, music has been twisted into a weapon—used to intimidate, manipulate, and even psychologically torment. From ancient battlefields to modern interrogations, these moments reveal how sound can be wielded as a force of control and chaos.

Here are 10 examples of times people turned music into an unlikely weapon.

Related: Top 10 Times Sauce Has Been Weaponized

10 U.S. Military Blasting Heavy Metal at Noriega

In December 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the U.S. military turned to an unconventional weapon—music—to force Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega out of his refuge in the Vatican embassy in Panama City. After Noriega sought asylum in the embassy following the U.S. invasion of Panama, troops stationed loudspeakers outside the compound. They began blasting a mix of heavy metal and hard rock music at deafening volumes. The playlist included tracks like “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses and “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt. The relentless barrage continued around the clock, depriving Noriega and the embassy staff of peace and sleep.

The tactic was as much psychological as it was practical. Noriega, who was already under immense pressure due to the invasion, reportedly despised rock music. Over several days, the embassy became a prison of cacophony, with journalists and locals outside able to hear the deafening noise. Despite criticisms from the Vatican about the method, the U.S. persisted until Noriega finally surrendered on January 3, 1990. The incident demonstrated how non-lethal means could be used to achieve military objectives and remains one of the most famous examples of music being weaponized in modern warfare.^[1]

9 Ancient War Drums to Intimidate Enemies

For centuries, drums have been used as a psychological weapon on battlefields worldwide. In ancient China, massive war drums were carried onto the battlefield to rally troops and terrify the enemy. The rhythmic pounding of drums was designed to mimic the heartbeat, escalating anxiety among those who heard it. Similarly, the Mongols utilized drums to create an overwhelming sense of dread before launching their assaults. As their armies approached, the booming of their war drums signaled the inevitability of devastation, often prompting enemies to surrender without a fight.

The use of drums extended to African armies as well, such as the Zulu warriors of South Africa. Zulu forces employed elaborate drumming patterns to communicate across vast distances and build a sense of unity within their ranks. In many cases, the sounds were accompanied by chants and battle cries, further amplifying their psychological effect. Even today, the deep, resonant sound of a drumline evokes feelings of tension and anticipation, showcasing how this ancient weapon continues to echo in modern culture.^[2]

8 The CIA’s Use of Loud Music in Interrogations

In the aftermath of 9/11, the CIA began using loud, repetitive music as a psychological tactic in enhanced interrogation programs at black sites and detention facilities like Guantanamo Bay. Detainees were subjected to prolonged sessions of music played at intolerable volumes, with tracks chosen for their jarring or irritating qualities. The playlist ranged from heavy metal songs like Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” to seemingly innocent children’s tunes like “Barney’s Theme Song” (I Love You, You Love Me). These sessions often lasted for hours or even days, creating disorientation, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress.

The goal was to break down detainees’ mental resistance, exploiting music’s ability to affect mood and cognition. Reports from whistleblowers and declassified documents revealed how this technique was used alongside other controversial methods, sparking widespread condemnation. The exposure of these practices raised ethical questions about the use of music as a weapon and led to debates about its classification as a form of torture. While the CIA defended its actions as necessary for national security, the public backlash highlighted the dark side of weaponizing sound.^[3]

7 The Nazis’ Use of Music in Concentration Camps

During World War II, music became a grotesque tool of psychological control in Nazi concentration camps. Prisoners were forced to play instruments or sing in orchestras as their fellow inmates were marched to their deaths. At Auschwitz, an orchestra of Jewish prisoners performed pieces like Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and Beethoven’s symphonies, creating a chilling juxtaposition of beauty and brutality. The sound of the orchestra served to mask the horrors taking place, making executions appear routine and almost surreal.

The Nazis also weaponized music to humiliate and dehumanize prisoners. Jewish inmates were made to sing patriotic German songs or derisive tunes mocking their plight. Music was used not only to terrorize but also to enforce control, with prisoners understanding that refusal to comply could mean death. Survivors later recounted the trauma of associating music, which once brought them joy, with some of the most horrifying moments of their lives. This perversion of music reveals the profound ways it can be manipulated to inflict psychological harm.^[4]

6 Ancient Aztecs’ Use of Death Whistles

The Aztecs weaponized sound with their eerie and bone-chilling “death whistles.” Made of ceramic, these small instruments emitted a shrill, human-like scream when blown into, creating a horrifying sound that unnerved listeners. These whistles were often used en masse during battles, with Aztec warriors blowing them as they charged toward their enemies. The resulting cacophony mimicked the sounds of torment and chaos, amplifying the psychological impact of their attacks.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the whistles also had ritualistic purposes, likely used during sacrificial ceremonies to evoke the screams of the dead. Modern reconstructions of these instruments have shown just how terrifying their sound can be, leaving no doubt about their effectiveness in psychological warfare. Imagine an advancing army of warriors, decked out in elaborate costumes, releasing this unearthly sound—it’s no wonder the death whistle remains one of the most haunting artifacts of Aztec culture.^[5]

5 Norse Vikings’ Battle Horns

The Vikings, known for their fearsome raids and military prowess, used sound as a psychological weapon through their long, booming battle horns called “lur.” These instruments produced a deep, resonant tone that could carry across vast distances, creating an ominous signal of impending attack. Viking warriors would blow these horns as they approached coastal villages, their sound designed to terrify and disorient the inhabitants. The horns were not only practical for signaling but also amplified the Vikings’ reputation as a ruthless and unstoppable force.

Historical accounts describe the panic that spread among communities when the sound of Viking horns echoed across the water. Combined with the sight of their dragon-headed ships, the horns became a symbol of terror, amplifying the psychological impact of their raids. Even today, the sound of a Viking horn evokes primal feelings of dread and awe, showcasing how these instruments functioned as more than just tools—they were an integral part of the Vikings’ psychological warfare.^[6]

4 U.S. Military’s Use of Classical Music in Iraq

During the Iraq War in the early 2000s, the U.S. military used classical music as a form of psychological warfare against insurgents. In cities like Fallujah and Baghdad, troops set up loudspeakers and played compositions by Beethoven, Wagner, and Mozart in areas where insurgents were believed to be hiding. The purpose was to unsettle them, using music foreign to their cultural and auditory landscape to create discomfort and confusion. The loudspeakers would play for hours, turning the serene and structured sounds of classical music into a disruptive force.

One notable example occurred during Operation Phantom Fury in 2004, a major U.S. assault on insurgent-held Fallujah. Soldiers broadcasted Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries”—famously associated with chaos and battle—to signal their arrival and break the morale of fighters entrenched in the city. The use of music in this way highlights how a cultural artifact typically associated with peace and refinement was weaponized for intimidation, creating a sonic environment that disoriented and demoralized the enemy.^[7]

3 Psychological Warfare in Vietnam with “Wandering Soul” Tapes

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military deployed an eerie psychological tactic known as the “Wandering Soul” campaign. This strategy leveraged the Vietnamese cultural belief that if a person’s body was not properly buried, their soul would be trapped and wander in torment. To exploit this superstition, U.S. forces created audio recordings featuring ghostly wails, distorted voices, and cries for help, supposedly from the spirits of dead North Vietnamese soldiers.

The recordings were broadcast over loudspeakers in the jungle, often at night, to terrify enemy troops. Soldiers reported hearing messages such as, “Brother, go home before it is too late” or “Why did you die so far from your family?” These tactics were meant to demoralize the enemy, though their effectiveness remains debated. Still, the “Wandering Soul” tapes showcase how deeply cultural understanding can be weaponized in warfare, turning spiritual beliefs into tools of psychological manipulation.^[8]

2 Bagpipes as Instruments of War

Bagpipes, often associated with Scottish heritage, were historically used as instruments of war to intimidate enemies and inspire troops. Scottish clans employed pipers on the battlefield to rally their warriors, their loud, piercing sounds cutting through the chaos of combat. The wail of bagpipes was designed to create a psychological advantage, signaling the unyielding determination of the Scottish forces.

During World War I, Scottish regiments revived this tradition, with pipers leading troops into battle despite the obvious dangers. Stories abound of pipers continuing to play as bullets whizzed past them, boosting morale among soldiers and unnerving their enemies. One famous account is that of Piper Daniel Laidlaw, who played during the Battle of Loos in 1915, inspiring his regiment to charge successfully. Even today, the sound of bagpipes evokes a sense of resilience and fearlessness, reflecting their historical use as a weapon of psychological warfare.^[9]

1 The Ghost Army’s Sonic Deception in World War II

The Ghost Army, a top-secret U.S. unit in World War II, specialized in deception tactics that included the strategic use of sound. This unit employed large loudspeakers to project convincing audio simulations of troop movements, tank engines, and artillery fire. The goal was to mislead German forces into believing that Allied troops were massing in specific locations, diverting their defenses away from actual operations.

One of their most successful missions occurred during the Rhine River crossing in 1945. The Ghost Army used sound effects to simulate the movement of thousands of troops and dozens of tanks, tricking German forces into reinforcing the wrong area. Combined with inflatable tanks and fake radio transmissions, the operation was so convincing that it saved countless lives by reducing enemy resistance. Declassified decades later, the Ghost Army’s innovative use of sound remains a testament to the power of auditory deception in warfare.^[10]