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Metallica Launches Record Label Blackened Recordings, Takes Ownership Of Own Masters

Band Photo: Metallica (?)
Metallica announced today that the band has taken ownership of all previous master recordings including all music and long form videos, a move almost unprecedented for musicians signed to recording contracts. Under provision of a renegotiated joint venture agreement with the Warner Music Group in 1994, all masters revert back to the band as of today, November 30th, 2012.
"We would like to thank everyone at the Warner Music Group for 28 years of a fantastic relationship, particularly since 1994 where we truly felt we had partners in every aspect of our business in North America," said the band's James Hetfield.
Metallica also announced the launch of its own new record label, Blackened Recordings. Blackened Recordings will handle all marketing and promotion duties and will enter into a deal with Rhino Entertainment, who will manufacture and distribute releases in North America. Blackened Recordings will license releases to the Universal Music Group internationally.
"It's always been about control for us as a band," said Metallica's Lars Ulrich. "Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100% control and putting us in the driver's seat of our own creative destiny."
The first release from Blackened will be "Quebec Magnetic" on Monday, December 10th, 2012. "Quebec Magnetic" is a live DVD capturing the two World Magnetic live shows from Quebec City in the fall of 2009. The set list for the DVD was voted on by over 35,000 fans at Metallica.com this past September. Fans can order it from the band's website here.
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32 Comments on "Metallica Launches Record Label"
9. writes:
Oh yeah I have no problems with a re-master, alternate versions are always good - the demos for example are always cool to listen to. I just don't have any issue with the original. I think most of Newsted's lines followed James' guitar but would be interesting to hear the bits he might have thrown in there.
10. writes:
The one great thing about Metallica gaining control of thier back catalogue, is the potential for some extra stuff from thier first three albums, mainly stuff Cliff related. But I agree Cynic, AJFA stands as is, a classic. But it would be interesting to hear it re mastered and re mixed. I'll check that stuff out BrianMN on you tube. Thanks man.
12. writes:
Well, you can only do so much with masters in the end. Look at Death Magnetic - not a lot a re-master could do to save that because it was well cooked before it left the studio.
That said, the remaster of Death's "Spiritual Healing" did sound delicious from the samples I heard...
13. writes:
Well, there may be out takes of Cliff doing Orion. Who knows? As far as DM, the production and mixing hurt that album, not the songs themselves. I could give two sh**s about St Anger, the Loads and the Black album. It's all about the classic Metallica with Cliff. I still need to buy the new Death with all the extras.


25. writes:
God I frikken hate metalblade, goddamned junk label...but ANYthing is better than Sh!te-allicvnt records or whatever the fvck that carney show fvcking RACKET is frikken called
FVCK YOOOO, Turd Danish...piss in yer pimply piglet face, you washed up fvcking HACK
Did ya hear me, you stumpy little fvck??? FVCK YOOOOOOO :)
NP---Blackened---Justice
27. writes:
I seriously doubt Metallica will be signing anyone. It will be the same as everything Metallica. In name only. They'll have a room full of suits to do their bidding for them.
MUAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA.....(James laughing)......
Mmmmmm....more money...(Lars thinking).
WOW a whole room full of hot guys in suits...(Kirk daydreaming).
Truijillo not present due to previous obligations as a music/money w****e elsewhere.
28. writes:
Yah, no doubt. This is about Metallica, no one else. It's a good deal for them, owning their sh*t. I remember when I watched a NIKE commercial with Beetles "revolution" . Jacko owned the catalogue then. Can you picture a commercial with Nothing Else Matters or Enter Sandman? At least now Lars and band have full artistic control. \m/
29. writes:
Their opportunity for going out in style is over 20 years too late...pathetic efforts of fvcking weasels trying to redeem their wretched 'value'...too late, muthafvckers! you smoked the long pole for FAR too fvcking long...
Hasta Laters, perhaps? i fully expect for you to come grovelling forth in yet another vain attempt at reclaiming your former selves...HA!! :)
NP---Kashmir---Led FVCKING Zepp...maybe y'all dumbfvcks shoulda learned a piece or two from the fvcking best eh? Justice shoulda been y'alls CODA, if ya git my drift...but then, nah...you fvcks are much too fvcking STUPID to ever comprehend the notion of realizing when yer haggard time is up, aint ya?
rhetorical question...

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1. Blindgreed1 writes:
"It's always been about control" Yeah, no sh!t Larz.