One thing I hate is downloading a leaked album, spinning the hell out of it, and then buying the CD... why use up that honeymoon period getting less than the full experience where I can obsessively listen to shit in my car if I feel like it, etc.

In my point of view, guys who get their music illegally downloaded should be happy. Just like billions of other aspiring, beginning artists, my music ain't bought in stores, downloaded illegally or even legally So... just be happy you're well-known, Tev, and all you other well known artists.
Nothing's more frustrating than trying to create something knowing the finished work will end up in your own closet and no one besides you will ever know about it. Art is to be shared!

I think the reason Dev posted this topic is because he's been thinking about this whole downloading scene.. and he realized that the fact thousands of people listen to whatever he wants to say makes him happy, no matter how the people get the music!

In my point of view, guys who get their music illegally downloaded should be happy. Just like billions of other aspiring, beginning artists, my music ain't bought in stores, downloaded illegally or even legally So... just be happy you're well-known, Tev, and all you other well known artists.
Nothing's more frustrating than trying to create something knowing the finished work will end up in your own closet and no one besides you will ever know about it. Art is to be shared!

This is all well and good when you're not making music for a living. When you actually need to make a profit from your CD in order to pay the bills, then the joy of knowing that people are listening to your music doesn't quite cut it.
That said, the relationship between downloads and lost sales isn't as close as some people in the music industry would have you believe, something which is demonstrated on this forum. (I'm pretty sure the majority of people here that downloaded did so because they wanted to hear the album and couldn't wait, rather than because they didn't want to pay)

In my point of view, guys who get their music illegally downloaded should be happy. Just like billions of other aspiring, beginning artists, my music ain't bought in stores, downloaded illegally or even legally So... just be happy you're well-known, Tev, and all you other well known artists.
Nothing's more frustrating than trying to create something knowing the finished work will end up in your own closet and no one besides you will ever know about it. Art is to be shared!

This is all well and good when you're not making music for a living. When you actually need to make a profit from your CD in order to pay the bills, then the joy of knowing that people are listening to your music doesn't quite cut it.
That said, the relationship between downloads and lost sales isn't as close as some people in the music industry would have you believe, something which is demonstrated on this forum. (I'm pretty sure the majority of people here that downloaded did so because they wanted to hear the album and couldn't wait, rather than because they didn't want to pay)

@ The Oid: I think you're right, but we have to consider that Devin Townsend has a very loyal fanbase who know he kind of needs the money to keep on producing music. And that we all want him to go on tour(at least I want him to ). When, for example, a new Metallica record comes out, I think people won't be so eager to buy it. One would come to conclude that they already are millionaires, do not need the money, other people will buy it etc. etc. etc.
If the other three leak, I will probably download them too, but I will also buy the 8-disc-superhuge-DTP collection when it comes out.

This is a guess, and I'll admit I don't know what I'm talking about here, but I think with a band like Metallica, they're probably so well known and get enough marketing and publicity that they'll get enough sales to make a healthy profit, even if a percentage of people do download. I think it's the smaller artists that have to worry. Look at bands like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead, they can release an album for free with a donation link, and still make a profit.

When the whole Napster thing happened, it was about how the song leaked before they were even finished with it, and then the rest of their music got pulled into it.

Anyway, Death Magnetic still sold 500K+ in the first week, and its over 1.2 million right now.

BUT they really get their money for touring...although the CD sells are a big plus for them.

Generally now, artist rely on touring for money.

When the whole Napster thing happened, it was about how the song leaked before they were even finished with it, and then the rest of their music got pulled into it.

Anyway, Death Magnetic still sold 500K+ in the first week, and its over 1.2 million right now.

BUT they really get their money for touring...although the CD sells are a big plus for them.

Generally now, artist rely on touring for money.

I'm surprised Death Magnetic sold so well, seeing as it was an awful album.

Wiki shows it at 1.7 Million in US alone now, then another 500K+ rest of the world.

I liked the album, but then again I'm a huge Met fan, and kinda biased.

Eitherway, I like all kinds of music. When it comes down to it, there is nothing like waiting and getting a CD and listening to it right then and there. No fun in just being able to DL it. I waiting for Death Magnetic and I'll wait for Ki.

I've downloaded the album. Listen to it religiously and now have it on pre-order. I don't want a cookie or anything. Just thought confess my sins.

I'm surprised Death Magnetic sold so well, seeing as it was an awful album.

To be fair, Metallica is at the point now, where they could sell a dog turd in a box with their name on it.

I'm surprised Death Magnetic sold so well, seeing as it was an awful album.

To be fair, Metallica is at the point now, where they could sell a dog turd in a box with their name on it.

Haha, I bet there are people who would buy the box. But come on....Death Magnetic is allright...Just nowhere near as good as Ki or almost anything else bij Devin Townsend. (Did he just say 'almost'!? Whát!? Yes, I did.)

Having heard Death Magnetic, I'd say that aside from the awful production, it's pretty good compared to anything Metallica has done in the last 20 years. I'd still say it's pretty average though.

BUT they really get their money for touring...although the CD sells are a big plus for them.

Generally now, artist rely on touring for money.

They almost always have relied on touring more than album sales. You make way more money. I wish I could find the figures.

I'm surprised Death Magnetic sold so well, seeing as it was an awful album.

It's not an awful album. Rick Rubin sucks as a producer now, but as Mike Portnoy put it, "The boys are back". It's still not Kill Em All, but it's decent. Keep in mind this is from someone who pretty much has an agenda against Metallica.

I'd say that aside from the awful production, it's pretty good compared to anything Metallica has done in the last 20 years.

I reiterate, Rubin needs to retire.

Death Magnetic discussion goes here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7673

I downloaded Ki, I appreciate what Devina is doing with that album but the music is really not for me.

So i'm gonna skip buying all these albums till the box set is released, then i'll buy that. So Devina better make sure that box set gets released!

... Otherwise i'll feel guilty for stealing all his music