Yesterday’s announcement from Iron Maiden that they’d be releasing a Best Of compilation for free download isn’t quite what it seems.
The reason? That download is restricted to three listens, then you’ve got to purchase the album if you want the music for keeps. Iron Maiden is a band who’ve released more compilations and live albums than any other I know of. Why are they releasing another one?
Well, as their manager Rod Smallwood tells it, it’s all about the fans. Specifically the younger fans who haven’t been exposed to Maiden’s back catalog in time for the summer tour. And they pass this off as innovation:
from flying their own plane around the world on a record-breaking tour to selling over 70 million albums Worldwide without mainstream radio or TV support — today Iron Maiden announce a revolutionary new way of delivering music to their fans [emphasis added]
A great new way of delivering music to your fans - give them three listens, then take it away again. Mr Smallwood, your orgasmic press release offends me. This is simply another way to get fans to pay for old content.
I understand that the Maiden back catalog is precious. Certainly more precious than their most recent albums. That’s what people will want to hear on tour. But don’t pretend you’re giving something away. This download is the musical equivalent of a free shampoo sample. Want more? Buy the full bottle.
Rod, if you truly want to reach out to younger fans, give them the damned album for free. No strings attached. They’ll thank you for it and know all the choruses for the big tour.
That’s if they haven’t downloaded the entire Iron Maiden back catalog from BitTorrent already.
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Revolutionary indeed! Iron Maiden are trying to pretend they’re at the forefront of digital music when they’re still milking the cash cow they created in the 80’s.
The whole statement from Rod Smallwood sounds like bland corporate double-speak. The best thing they can do now is show they’re serious and release the album for free. Or at least on a NIN basis.
I agree… that’s not a “free download” ..
True. It’s not a free download. Its a sampler.
I’d be surprised if any older Maiden fans hadn’t already bought the whole collection and younger fans hadn’t torrented it.
Its lip service to generate publicity…oh…it has….
I wish to explain why this is happening with Maiden, the rights to the band have been sold to a US based proprietor and they wish to make the best out of their billionaire investment, this is why you will see Iron Maiden become a true marketing campaign, the music will be good, but not as good as the glory days, or the time when Maiden thought not of money but of making music. thru the years maiden has been an excellent brand for collectibles and merchandise, but in the coming years you will see it become ridiculously exploided, this tour is only the beginning of several atempts to empty the pockets of the fans and get the best return of investment for the new owners. Sadly enough, it will work, as the kids nowadays are an easy prey for these monsters. I will attend to gigs and get the albums for my collection. And hope someday someone comes to their senses in this music industry of nowadays and starts making real heavy metal, the way Maiden did in 1979, with no money in mind. to close this comment I want to add that the same thing is happening with Metallica. so sad to see these folks trying to retire with a billion in the pocket, instead that a clear conscience like the pistols did. Up the Irons! (down the corporate greedy bastards!)
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