AfterDawn: News

Metallica to sell individual tracks via site

Since 2004, the rock band Metallica has been selling HQ downloads of all the band's concerts, in MP3 or FLAC, but only as a full album.

Today, the band announced that they would begin offering individual MP3s for $0.99, on their site LiveMetallica. Full albums will remain at $9.95 for MP3 and $12.95 for FLAC versions. Metallica adds that there are 270 shows currently available, ranging from 1982 until today.



Perhaps more notably, Lars Ulrich (drummer of the band) said that in the future, once their record label contract expires, the group is open to offering their next album on the Internet, with a donation model, used to perfection by Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead.

The move would be a stark contrast to the Metallica of 1999 which almost single handily took down the original P2P client Napster after Ulrich found hundreds of Metallica songs available through the client, for free.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 5 Oct 2009 13:25

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• 7 comments

• H08

  i hope they release there next album via CD too, i rather spend the extra 3 dollars and get a physical copy, artbook, etc.

  5.10.2009 13:53 #1

• Unfocused

  They have already proven themselves to be as two faced and as greedy as the RIAA. When they were nobodys they were begging people to record there music on tape and share it with their friends. To go from that to the infamous "Napster Bad" flash cartoon to a 'donation' system just shows that want all the money they can get their hands on.

  5.10.2009 22:26 #2

• Joshewah

  Lars needs his gold plated shark tank.

  6.10.2009 10:22 #3

• emugamer

  Originally posted by H08: i hope they release there next album via CD too, i rather spend the extra 3 dollars and get a physical copy, artbook, etc.I agree. I'm all for total online distribution as long as there is a physical copy available for true die hard fans who are willing to pay a premium price for the art to further show support to the band. I'll always have a place in my collection for a physical copy! There will always be a "collectors" market out there.

  6.10.2009 12:15 #4

• IguanaC64

  I liked Metallica when "...And Justice for All" came out, but their oversaturation after that burned me out. Their anti-Napster antics was the nail on the coffin for me for the reasons Unfocused mentioned.

  8.10.2009 13:16 #5

• glassd

  Originally posted by IguanaC64: I liked Metallica when "...And Justice for All" came out, but their oversaturation after that burned me out. Their anti-Napster antics was the nail on the coffin for me for the reasons Unfocused mentioned.And Justice for All was their peak for me. They have been my favorite band since ride the lightening or master of puppits. Did not care for reload or St Anger but I will continue to pay them for their work. Mega Deth as well. The Napster deal has no effect on me. I want to be paid fairly for my labor. I agree with others getting paid for theirs. With the rampit music/game theft that is going on now a days, I cant help but think that one day, the mass will wind up getting what they pay for. "Nothing"
  Please dont think that i am judging you, I wore Kazza out when it first came out.

  8.10.2009 14:22 #6

• H08

  why does the napster thing concern many people? if not them, someone was bound to do it. and i agree with glassd, i would want to be paid too.
  
  ohh and just wanted to put out there Justice And Death Magnetic are Tied For My favorite metallica album. got to love that double bass pedal on the justice album

  8.10.2009 23:23 #7