Metallica to debut new single via Rock Band

by Dustin Burg { Dec 3rd 2007 at 12:00PM }

Looky here fanboys, we think we may have come across Rock Band's rumored big announcement and it is definetly a first for video games.

Talking with the Rocky Mountain News, MTV senior vice president of home entertainment Paul DeGooyer mentioned that they're working with artists to exclusively debut new singles using Rock Band. You know, the same way Prince made his single "Guitar" exclusive to Verizon Wireless. Yeah, that same concept. And first to sign up for a Rock Band track debut is none other than ... Metallica. According to DeGooyer's statements, Metallica has already signed on the dotted line and are commited to giving Rock Band their first single off of their upcoming album. It's an interesting idea and is a somewhat exciting forshadowing of things to come, but we seriously wonder how many other artists are willing to do the same thing. Then again, money does make the world go around ... and around ... and around.

[Thanks, Shaun]

Tags: harmonix, metallica, mtv-games, rock-band

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DjDATZ @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:12PM

oh wow...this IS huge.

DjDATZ @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:20PM

this will get gaming a WHOLE lot of new and wanted attention from the mainstream media. it will show that the gaming market has become a force to be reckoned with and not just "some thing that kids and loser adults play that have no lives"

Ryan Henson Creighton @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:25PM

As a loser adult with no life, i resent your comment.

Morgon @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:37PM

Shame it couldn't have been announced with a better artist. ;)
Napster debacle notwithstanding, I don't see the big deal with these guys. *shrugs*

Interesting concept, nonetheless. Hopefully this will incite said 'better artists' to join the club and really turn RB into the platform they vowed it would be.

Matt @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:42PM

Yeah Morgon, you're right. I would have much preferred Fallout Boy.

j/k

FordGTGuy @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:54PM

Other then being the Metal Band?

BTW they never sued anyone in that Napster crap actually all they wanted was Napster to ban accounts downloading their music that wasn't even out of their studio yet.

Morgon @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:04PM

Actually, they most certainly did sue Napster for their entire catalog.
Apparently it did start from their unreleased track, as you mentioned, but that wasn't the extent of their litigation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica#Backlash_.282000-2001.29
http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2000/04/35670

Of course, they won, but not without cost of at least 'some' of their fanbase, I'm sure.

Morgon @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:06PM

Correction - they didn't technically 'win', as they settled out of court. However, the main point was that a lawsuit WAS filed. (And not just against Napster, if you read the Wikipedia page)

Intentless @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:43PM

And I was so able to resist this purchase and just mooch off friends... but now....

MrMuggs @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:51PM

am i the only one who sees the irony here of the band being metallica? ever since they went to congress over napster i've boycotted them. they're hypocritical assholes.

on the other hand, i love the idea of bands debuting songs on rock band. it will be great for the gaming industry, the fans and the bands. it's about time the music industry came up w/an innovative new business model that involved technology and addresses the target market. with the power of a monster corporation like viacom behind this i can't see it losing.

FordGTGuy @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:54PM

Before opening your mouth about Napster you might want to read about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica

SouthBeachCasa.com @ Dec 3rd 2007 3:45PM

FordGTGuy: I don't need to read about it. I'm not 12 years old. I lived through it. i was there. I actually know people who were involved with Napster and created it. I don't need an Wikipedia article to validate what I know.

To appease you though I read the Wikipedia article. It actually validates what I said so I'm not sure what exactly you wanted me to read. I think the article actually goes to prove my point citing Shawn Fanning's statement:
"Napster creator Shawn Fanning responded later in the ceremony by presenting an award wearing a Metallica shirt, saying "I borrowed this shirt from a friend. Maybe, if I like it, I'll buy one of my own.""

IncredibleBulk92 @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:51PM

So when is this new album out then? guessing it comes out before rock band in the UK, just to annoy me a little. Ah well it'll be on youtube within an hour of being posted on xblm.

Anybody wanna guess how much this is gonna be? I'm betting you won't like it.

dunnypop @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:56PM

here's hoping that the new Metallica album isn't another St. Anger.... or Load... or Reload...

Frank @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:58PM

@7

This isn't hypocritical at all... their contention was that people were stealing their music online. They have no problem with people buying their crap. Any buy their crap people will.

You have to embrace the digital age and Metallica is gonna make some sweat love to the digital age to get some money.

Boff @ Dec 4th 2007 5:10AM

'sweat love'?

Is that how true rockers do it? ;o)

SmellyGeekBoy @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:00PM

Looks like the music industry are finally getting with the times and trying out new ways of marketing to their target audience. I think this is an awesome idea!

Tr3y MoNey @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:00PM

I only learned what I know about Napster by watching South Park. Hopefully RB will help Metallica get a landing strip in their back yard for their private jet! Oh I wish!

Gemini Ace @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:14PM

When's the last time Metallica did anything that was worth a purchase? It's a cool thing for the industry, but we should wait for a good, relevant band to release a single in RB before we get too excited. Until then I say eff Lars and company.

blkhwk67t @ Dec 3rd 2007 1:27PM

@13

They dumped their old producer, Bob Rock and hired Rick Rubin. Rubin said he wants to make the next Master of Puppets album.

http://www2.kerrang.com/2007/07/metallica_master_of_puppets_pa.html

They also say that they have been inspired to get back to true trash because of playing the master of puppets album live for 3 months straight.

http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=1092

Hopefully, the debut songs will be free. That way if people like what they hear, they would go and purchase the new album. I doubt that this will happen but we can always hope.