If you’ve seen Metallica in concert the last few years, you probably noticed they’re still doing lots of old, classic tunes. Now we know there’s a good reason. LiveMetallica.com has offered full-concert downloads since 2004, but the band’s website is now selling single tracks from the entire Metallica live catalog.
Want to get “Battery” and “One” without paying for “Until It Sleeps” and “The Unforgiven II”? Now’s your chance!
The website, which ensured that the Napster-hatin’ band changed up its set list every night, is offering the single tracks in an MP3 format for 99 cents each. There’s even a “Vault” section for concerts they recorded prior to 2004 when the site first launched. Considering those older tunes are about 8 to 10 minutes long, that’s like getting three songs for the price of one! Full concerts can still be downloaded for $9.95 (if you’ve got a crappy stereo) or $12.95 for something that sounds good.
Lars, you’re a businessman, but do you really want lesser-quality recordings out there just to goose people into paying an extra three bucks? Then again, he’s the guy with the house in the hills and not me.
Speaking of Lars, the drummer had this to say about the new single-song option: “This is the next logical step in a process that began back in 1991 when we first implemented the ‘Taper Section’ at our shows, where our fans were encouraged to bring in their own gear to record the show and then take home their very own ‘bootleg’ of the concert they had just seen. This technology will enable our fans to get the best possible recording of the show without having to hold a microphone in the air for the entire night!”
Metallica are currently touring North America on the second leg of their sold-out World Magnetic Tour. The band’s Grammy-winning “Death Magnetic” album topped the Billboard album charts in its debut last September.
“Risky Business”-inspired image by Anton Corbijn.