Metallica Changes Tune About Online Music
Metallica, those Internet curmudgeons of hard rock are finally exploring online music distribution. Soon after the successes of Radio Head and Nine Inch Nails with selling their new albums online, Metallica might try the same thing.
Let’s face it, they’re one of the great bands that helped forge a rebellious yet progressive brand of hard rock. Metallica brought together elements of hardcore punk rock and heavy metal at a time when they were separate. If you’re old enough to remember the point where metal-hair bands began to thrash while the punk scene began to decompose under the weight of gangs and skinheads, Metallica and a handful of other bands like them were a breath of fresh air.
But in the early 2000s Napster and other Internet services were being accused of costing the music industry by allowing users to steal music. Metallica’s Lars Ulrich waged a war against Napster and was pivotal in getting the service shut down.
Ever since the fight with Napster, Metallica has been anything but progressive about Internet distribution of music. In fact the band has gone a long way to turn its own fan base against it.
In a recent interview Lars Ulrich said: “We’ve been observing Radiohead and Trent Reznor and in 27 years or however long it takes for the next record, we’ll be looking forward to everything in terms of possibilities with the internet,"
It’s a significant switch for the band. But after years of whining like spoiled little kids about online music sharing and going after its own fans with lawsuits, Metallica may find limited enthusiasm for its change of heart.
Tags: Blu-ray
