Metallica Still Doesn't Get the Web
Metallica has a topsy-turvy relationship with the Internet and it's are getting worse as the mega-band has recently angered a group of United Kingdom bloggers with unwarranted takedown notices.
A handful of music journalists, including bloggers, were invited to a private listening party for Metallica's new album. No nondisclosure agreements were signed, so many of the journalists reported on the event and the music heard on a variety of blogs. Metallica quickly sent takedown notices to the blogs in question, which is unfounded due to the lack of embargo requests.
Metallica got off to a bad start with the Internet eight years ago when it successfully shut down Napster. A little over a month ago Metallica changed its tune by exploring online-distribution methods for delivering music, but now it has taken another downward turn by angering among the loudest voices on the Web, the bloggers.
The Quietus, one of the last sites to resist the takedown notices, eventually removed the blog posting to "protect the professional interests of the writer concerned," which suggests that Metallica used its powerful status to push around journalists and music bloggers.
Metallica should enroll in some current journalism classes at a university; somebody has to teach these guys about new media and the Internet, because they can't seem to figure it out.
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It wasn't Metallica but their managers. Here's Metallica's "statement" on this issue:
http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=600942
And even if it was Metallica, I don't know what would make them "not get the web", really? Tell us what other artists offers so much content on the web as Metallica do (live shows download in FLAC/MP3, some of them completely free, videos from backstage of every show and footage from the show from each and every night they play... now all those videos on missionmetallica.com - I mean, I doubt there's anything Metallica could ever do to change this "Metallica doesn't get the Internet" journalistic dogma that media has been trying to sell us for the past 8 years, really.)
Metallica does "get" the web. Go to their website, metallica.com, and see for yourself. Metallica.com is most likely the best website provided by any band simply to allow fans to remain in touch with the happenings of the the band. If Metallica's website does not work, go to Mission: Metallica. Mission: Metallica is quite possibly the riskiest and most creative step a band of such prowess has ever taken. In a nutshell, it serves multiple purposes, such as providing fans an intimate look into the album-making process, displaying to the world creativity and workmanship, and, of course, promoting a forthcoming album (of epic proportions).
Regarding the issue with the bloggers, go to The Quietus' website. There you will see the writings of nothing more than nihilist nobodies searching for a Utopian dream that will never come true. However, if you want real critques of the album preview, check out Metal Hammer and Kerrang; these sites are honest and constructive in their critiques.
Sounds to me like they might need to fire their managers since sounds like the managers are the ones who dont get the web. Metallica has promoted plenty of their own stuff on the web and i really do think Metallica feels sorry for having shutdown Napster years ago and are trying to make up for the wrong doings. The web rules the world now and Metallica is one of the few bands that actually can see that and are using it for their advantage. ROCK ON METALLICA !!!!
Sounds to me like they might need to fire their managers since sounds like the managers are the ones who dont get the web. Metallica has promoted plenty of their own stuff on the web and i really do think Metallica feels sorry for having shutdown Napster years ago and are trying to make up for the wrong doings. The web rules the world now and Metallica is one of the few bands that actually can see that and are using it for their advantage. ROCK ON METALLICA !!!