Metallica haven’t always been the greatest fans of Apple’s music, criticizing iTunes’ track-based sales model as “contributing to the demise of the album format” and only allowing the band’s music to be sold on the service in 2006 – some three years after its launch. iTunes sales outside the U.S. didn’t happen until 2008.
But while Taylor Swift, Anton Newcombe and others have been attacking Apple Music (something which may or may not now be resolved), Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has been singing the praises of the new service, reports the NY Post.
Ulrich said that the band had good relationships with the Apple team, including Tim Cook and Jimmy Iovine …
He said it was “very exciting” to see where Apple was heading, and that Metallica is going to be fully involved. Quite a change in tone – but then we guess it has been a decade.
Ulrich also said that Metallica has a great relationship with Spotify, but was somewhat dismissive of Tidal.
Following Apple’s U-turn on royalty payments during the three-month free trial of Apple Music, the company is expected to pay some level of royalties during the free period, then pay a little more than the industry-standard 70% once paid subscriptions begin. The free trial begins a week from today on June 30th.
Tidal, I don’t know that much about it, we weren’t really approached. For Metallica it is primarily about Spotify and Apple Music.
