IRON MAIDEN: “STEAL OUR MUSIC, THEN BUY IT, THEN LET YOUR FRIENDS STEAL IT”

File this one in the “Trying unsuccessfully to emulate Radiohead / Trent Reznor” folder. According to NME.com, Iron Maiden will release their new ’80s best-of collection Somewhere Back In Time (due May 12) as a free download from their website in 320kbps WMA files that expire after three listens. Listeners will then be able to purchase DRM-free files in an unspecified format.

WMA files? Welcome to 2001, dudes. What’s the point of having encrypted WMA files if fans will be able to buy DRM-free versions that they will immediately send to all of their friends / upload to Torrent sites? Furthermore, don’t we all already have these songs, and if not, can’t we just buy them track by track from the original albums at iTunes or Amazon?

I love Maiden, but this marketing ploy is retardi and reeks of “Gee guys, we should really get involved in that digital market thing!”-type board room discussions.

-VN

[Thanks to MetalSucks commenter K-Milo for the tip]