Metallica has gone indie. The band announced on Friday that it has officially left its longtime home, the Warner Music Group, taken its master recordings and formed a new independent label, Blackened Recordings. All forthcoming Metallica projects -- including future studio albums, reissues, live recordings and long- and short-form video work -- will come out via Blackened. The label will also handle its own marketing and promotion, and be distributed by WMG reissue subsidiary Rhino Entertainment.

The timing of the announcement is notable. Under an agreement that Metallica signed in 1994, when the band was at the peak of its commercial powers and the phrase "illegal downloading" sounded more like trucker slang than a music biz concern, the band negotiated that ownership of all of its master recordings would revert to them on Nov. 30, 2012. That day has come.

Much has happened in the intervening 18 years: Haircuts. Symphonic performances. Napster. Psychotherapy. "St. Anger." A Lou Reed collaboration called "Lulu." But through it all, Metallica remains.

Despite the peaks and valleys its reputation has suffered among some fans and critics, the band has earned respect and kudos for its integrity. "It's always been about control for us as a band," Metallica's Lars Ulrich said in a statement accompanying the news. "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." Metallica thanked Warner Music for its dedication. When it first signed to the company's Elektra Records subsidiary in 1984, Metallica was co-headlining tours with W.A.S.P. and delivering hard, scary garage metal to the budding masses. Its most recent record (apart from the aforementioned "Lulu") "Death Magnetic," came out on Warner Bros. in 2008, and its subsequent tour made millions.

"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 James Hetfield. Described in the press release as "a home for all of their recordings, both audio and visual, and anything else that suits them," Blackened will debut on Dec. 12 with "Quebec Magnetic," a DVD of a Metallica concert in Toronto in 2009.

[Edited 11/30/12 13:30pm]

Metallica is still around??

Its not about Metallica being around its about the fact they have their masters from WARNER MUSIC GROUP, something Prince has yet to do.

[Edited 11/30/12 13:30pm]

^Prince is still around?

lazycrockett said:

^Prince is still around?

Some groups have owned there masters from the get-go and leased them to labels like Genesis (except the 1969 debut album), Motley Crue, and U2.

^ No wonder Motley is set on their ways...

Timmy84 said:

^ No wonder Motley is set on their ways...

Bon Jovi has had them for awhile now, that band is PAID, i know people think they are a joke or whatever, but they are smart businessman especially Jon, firing the management back in the early early 90's was the smartest thing ever. He basically took it all over and became a businessman, this is why on alot of 80's compliations you dont see Bon Jovi on these HITS because he refuses to let the rights go to these things

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

^ No wonder Motley is set on their ways...

Bon Jovi has had them for awhile now, that band is PAID, i know people think they are a joke or whatever, but they are smart businessman especially Jon, firing the management back in the early early 90's was the smartest thing ever. He basically took it all over and became a businessman, this is why on alot of 80's compliations you dont see Bon Jovi on these HITS because he refuses to let the rights go to these things

I wonder when they made that deal... 1990?

Timmy84 said:

lastdecember said:

Bon Jovi has had them for awhile now, that band is PAID, i know people think they are a joke or whatever, but they are smart businessman especially Jon, firing the management back in the early early 90's was the smartest thing ever. He basically took it all over and became a businessman, this is why on alot of 80's compliations you dont see Bon Jovi on these HITS because he refuses to let the rights go to these things

I wonder when they made that deal... 1990?

When they ended the "new Jersey" tour it wasnt certain they would get back together cause they were drained and not speaking, but after Jon did his solo and Richie his, and they were about to go into the "keep the faith" sessions they fired Doc Mcgee, and Jon took over and really "branded" it

My answer = meh

at this point, I don't care, I'm not a big fan anymore

I'm talking about the reissues, sorry but it's too late= early-00s? perfect; mid-to-late-00s? tolerable? after that...who gives a shit

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

I wonder when they made that deal... 1990?

When they ended the "new Jersey" tour it wasnt certain they would get back together cause they were drained and not speaking, but after Jon did his solo and Richie his, and they were about to go into the "keep the faith" sessions they fired Doc Mcgee, and Jon took over and really "branded" it

Ah I see... so 1989-ish. I'm guessing they patched things up after the MTV performance of "Wanted Dead or Alive".

I read that U2 when first got signed, they got a deal in where they would take a lower royalty rate in exchange for keeping their master recordings. I think the label probably didn't think the group would really go anywhere. But they probably regretted that later. Sometimes if the group on a major owns their music, the album will have something printed on it about 'exclusive license' or 'lease' to a label.

getxxxx said:

Its not about Metallica being around its about the fact they have their masters from WARNER MUSIC GROUP, something Prince has yet to do.

[Edited 11/30/12 13:30pm]

Billy Sparks TRIED 2 tell Him "Life My ASS, Muthafu**a!!!! This is a BID'NESS!!!!"

Timmy84 said:

lastdecember said:

When they ended the "new Jersey" tour it wasnt certain they would get back together cause they were drained and not speaking, but after Jon did his solo and Richie his, and they were about to go into the "keep the faith" sessions they fired Doc Mcgee, and Jon took over and really "branded" it

Ah I see... so 1989-ish. I'm guessing they patched things up after the MTV performance of "Wanted Dead or Alive".

Basically thats when it started sort of, ive heard conflicting stories about that MTV historic event (and it was) mainly people said they werent speaking still after or even at the event. Though thats never really been confirmed by Jon and Richie, and they have been straight forward about alot of shit in that band. So im guessing right around 1990-91 was when they started to "do business" not sure actually when the masters were secured, probably around that time too im guessing, Jon does have some ownership in Universal too

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

Ah I see... so 1989-ish. I'm guessing they patched things up after the MTV performance of "Wanted Dead or Alive".

Basically thats when it started sort of, ive heard conflicting stories about that MTV historic event (and it was) mainly people said they werent speaking still after or even at the event. Though thats never really been confirmed by Jon and Richie, and they have been straight forward about alot of shit in that band. So im guessing right around 1990-91 was when they started to "do business" not sure actually when the masters were secured, probably around that time too im guessing, Jon does have some ownership in Universal too

Makes sense.

MickyDolenz said:

I read that U2 when first got signed, they got a deal in where they would take a lower royalty rate in exchange for keeping their master recordings. I think the label probably didn't think the group would really go anywhere. But they probably regretted that later. Sometimes if the group on a major owns their music, the album will have something printed on it about 'exclusive license' or 'lease' to a label.

Mellencamp also secured his master recordings too in a similar way

woogiebear said:

getxxxx said:

Its not about Metallica being around its about the fact they have their masters from WARNER MUSIC GROUP, something Prince has yet to do.

[Edited 11/30/12 13:30pm]

Billy Sparks TRIED 2 tell Him "Life My ASS, Muthafu**a!!!! This is a BID'NESS!!!!"

It's sad. Prince knew he could've had a fortune if he tried to get back his rights but instead he signed a $100 million contract just so he can get some money not knowing the real money was in masters.

If Prince had played his cards right,he could have left Warner Bros. years ago (on good terms) with ownership of his masters,too.Instead,he chose to go to war with them and we all see how that turned out

Timmy84 said:

woogiebear said:

Billy Sparks TRIED 2 tell Him "Life My ASS, Muthafu**a!!!! This is a BID'NESS!!!!"

It's sad. Prince knew he could've had a fortune if he tried to get back his rights but instead he signed a $100 million contract just so he can get some money not knowing the real money was in masters.

Prince acted like a fool from 1989 to 1996, and he's still paying the consequences lol

SoulAlive said:

If Prince had played his cards right,he could have left Warner Bros. years ago (on good terms) with ownership of his masters,too.Instead,he chose to go to war with them and we all see how that turned out

Prince sure was a fool, but labels are disgusting

LABELS LOVE to go to war

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

It's sad. Prince knew he could've had a fortune if he tried to get back his rights but instead he signed a $100 million contract just so he can get some money not knowing the real money was in masters.

Prince acted like a fool from 1989 to 1996, and he's still paying the consequences lol

JoeTyler said:

SoulAlive said:

If Prince had played his cards right,he could have left Warner Bros. years ago (on good terms) with ownership of his masters,too.Instead,he chose to go to war with them and we all see how that turned out

Prince sure was a fool, but labels are disgusting

LABELS LOVE to go to war

labels are indeed digusting but I really believe that if Prince hadn't carried on the way he did,Warners would have been more willing to negotiate with Prince,regarding ownership of his masters.

SoulAlive said:

JoeTyler said:

Prince sure was a fool, but labels are disgusting

LABELS LOVE to go to war

labels are indeed digusting but I really believe that if Prince hadn't carried on the way he did,Warners would have been more willing to negotiate with Prince,regarding ownership of his masters.

Possibly, but now that Warners have set a precedent, will that make it easier for Prince to get his back, should he want to?

Well done to Metallica!!!

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

Prince acted like a fool from 1989 to 1996, and he's still paying the consequences lol

not true. Sure the whole wearing a mask thing was a little extreme, BUT the fight he took up IS the only reason things have changed for artists going in now and signing deals and what they ask for up front, that knowledge was never there, thats why labels restructured the way they do business with 360 deals to combat what PRINCE was fighting for. People never give him props for this fight, they just look at the whole SLAVE era as he was a wack job, but basically his battle was not unlike George Michaels in a way.

Also what is still NOT disclosed is what Prince gave up to get away from WB. He signed a 125 milion dollar deal for 7 albums but then changed his name, its been rumoured that he gave back MOST of this advance to get out when he did, by releasing "vault" albums and playing as the symbol and not PRINCE.

Now their fans can start bitching about the post-WB output too.

novabrkr said:

Now their fans can start bitching about the post-WB output too.

lazycrockett said:

^Prince is still around?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is not always a good thing. Ray Charles got the masters for his albums from 196something to 1973 and they have yet to be released on cd.