Commentary: METALLICA "Single-Handedly Delayed The Digital Music Revolution By At Least Four Years"
June 4, 2008, 16 years ago
The following commentary is courtesy of Nick Lewis from Canada.com:
Like elephants, rock fans don't forget. In May 2000, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich personally delivered to the U.S. Senate judiciary committee a 60,000-page printout of Napster users who'd downloaded his bands' songs, resulting in the banning of more than 300,000 users from the service and ultimately, Napster's demise.
Eight years later, the heavy metal act is ready to jump on the digital bandwagon, but music fans don't seem to be making things easy for them.
The quartet has launched an online fan program called Mission: Metallica, which offers fans all sorts of goodies, including the ability to hear new tracks from its upcoming album, set for release this fall.
Membership costs anywhere from nothing to $125.
With a platinum membership, you can get an early copy of the album, plus high-quality MP3 tracks, a five-LP box with sleeves, and the ability to download video clips from live concerts.
Unlike RADIOHEAD, NINE INCH NAILS and a slew of indie bands (Victoria's Jets Overhead, for one), Metallica won't be releasing its album for free, but the step away from DRM (digital rights management) music is a massive step for them, as it makes the music easily shareable on many websites.
Too bad people are viewing the move with a jaundiced eye. After news was posted on Wired.com, a slew of angry music fans posted their views about it, and they were anything but positive.
"(Expletive) Metallica," wrote a user named me not you. "These jerkwads helped kill the original napster and mp3.com. They single-handedly delayed the digital music revolution by at least 4 years. They sued little kids and grannies. Now after clearly losing the fight against progress they want to suddenly join the winning side. Go to hell, Metallica."Read more here.
