Lars on Why Metallica Sided With Guitar Hero

[FamousLastX]

Looks like regardless of what HMX has said about Metallica's Guitar Hero plans not affected any plans for Metallica DLC in Rock Band DLC, this may not be the case after all: http://kotaku.com/5067387/lars-ulrich-explains-why-metallica-sided-with-guitar-hero-not-rock-band


In an interview with Canadian radio station KBS, Metallica's outspoken and occasionally loathed drummer Lars Ulrich explains — albeit vaguely — why his band is a Guitar Hero band, not a Rock Band band. He says that the gang behind Guitar Hero was "ready to step up on a number of fronts and it's been great," whatever that means.

"We had to make a decision, and it was one or the other, and we felt that Guitar Hero were more suited for what we were looking for," Ulrich said. You know, Lars, we may not be thinking of the same reasons, but that actually makes perfect sense.

A handful of Metallica tracks have appeared in Harmonix's band game, but it sounds like Lars is implying that the band may be "proprietary" to Activision and Red Octane's brand, something CEO Bobby Kotick had warned us about.

Harmonix reps told us earlier this year that the stealth- announcement of Guitar Hero: Metallica doesn't alter their own plans for more Metallica DLC. We've seen no new Metallica tracks added to Rock Band's library, with the exception of "Battery" from Rock Band 2.

Ulrich also teases briefly about Guitar Hero: Metallica, the game that we all expect to see sometime in 2009.

[Alvarado6411]

**** lars. I'm going to pirate his music then delete it then pirate again.

[Flawless]

**** lars. I'm going to pirate his music then delete it then pirate again.

Just pirate the music and play it in Freestyle mode and post lots of videos on Youtube.

... if you're into that sort of thing.

[Alvarado6411]

Just pirate the music and play it in Freestyle mode and post lots of videos on Youtube.

... if you're into that sort of thing.

That's not mah style brah. Anyways Megadeth > Metallica. I'm sticking with Rock Band. Wish we get some details from HMX though. They said it wouldn't affect it but now it is as though the winds they are a changing.

[voodoo618]

Lars is so funny! Does he not realize they can be in BOTH? Why did he said they could only side with one?

[Inpheksion]

**** lars. I'm going to pirate his music then delete it then pirate again.

haha, I f***ing bursted out laughing when I read that.

[SKACMAN]

**** lars. I'm going to pirate his music then delete it then pirate again.

Yeah... because that will show them, you go girl...

[Chemical Phoenix]

"We had to make a decision, and it was one or the other, and we felt that Guitar Hero were more suited for what we were looking for"

When did someone tell him he had to choose between either one? Oh wait this is Metallica, I forgot

[instantdeath999]

"We had to make a decision, and it was one or the other, and we felt that Guitar Hero were more suited for what we were looking for"

When did someone tell him he had to choose between either one? Oh wait this is Metallica, I forgot

I'm guessing Activison were eager to score an exclusive deal.

[Alvarado6411]

Yeah... because that will show them, you go girl...

*shrug* It's the only thing I can do. I'll think of new ways SACKMAN.

[jgosh]

Metallica Rocks. Go Harmonix+Activision

[chillzatl]

Everyone knows it was about money. I'm not going to throw up some stupid game loyalty and say I don't want them in the game. I'd love to have plenty of their songs, but hey, I'll just get the other game, play their songs, and then come back to playing the game that delivers week after week. No biggie, not going to miss out on good music over some foolish fake loyalty to a company.

[instantdeath999]

Metallica Rocks. Go Harmonix+Activision


Everyone knows it was about money. I'm not going to throw up some stupid game loyalty and say I don't want them in the game. I'd love to have plenty of their songs, but hey, I'll just get the other game, play their songs, and then come back to playing the game that delivers week after week. No biggie, not going to miss out on good music over some foolish fake loyalty to a company.

I agree with both of these comments. I don't like Lars or Activision's decision to make it exclusive, but that doesn't mean I want the other company to fail.

Of course, this almost confirms that Guitar Hero: Metallica will be a full band game. Lars hates to be left out of the spotlight, as evidenced by some of the bands mixes. There will have to be an option to play as him.

[Neverender]

f its a full band game and Cliff is a selectable character, I'm totally imagining him rolling is his grave when you pick him to play any 90's Metallica.

[jgosh]

It seemed like Metallica was a top seller before exclusivity, but as soon as they leave nobodys a fan anymore?

[trench762]

Somebody needs to tell lars he can't be the official band spokesperson, that wouldn't make me angry at all if james or kirk said it. They will release more for RB after the metallica game is released, that's my opinion anyway.

[instantdeath999]

f its a full band game and Cliff is a selectable character, I'm totally imagining him rolling is his grave when you pick him to play any 90's Metallica.

I imagine James, Cliff, Lars, Kirk, Jason and Robert will be all be selectable. Possibly Ron McGovney. And, of course, there's Dave Mustaine... but I highly doubt it.

[Alonzo1948]

I hope Harmonix scored some Metallica DLC before the exclusive deal happened. If not at least I have AC/DC.

[Alright_Computer]

"We had to make a decision, and it was one or the other, and we felt that Guitar Hero were more suited for what we were looking for," Ulrich said.

i.e. Activision offered the most money.

[MacaqueOwnzU]

Wow, we have a bunch if bandwagon fanboys here. Oh Because Metallica is now "POSSINLY" exclusive to GH they suck? He never said they were exclusive he could of meant having there own game and Activision stepping up with that offer. Also to the guy who said Megadeth > Metallica well my dog's pile of **** > You

[jgosh]

Wow, we have a bunch if bandwagon fanboys here. Oh Because Metallica is now "POSSINLY" exclusive to GH they suck? He never said they were exclusive he could of meant having there own game and Activision stepping up with that offer. Also to the guy who said Megadeth > Metallica well my dog's pile of **** > You

Exactly what I said in my post:)

[LORDJUJU]

Lars is a spoiled little *****. Both games could not support his giant ego. That is the reason.

[Alvarado6411]

Wow, we have a bunch if bandwagon fanboys here. Oh Because Metallica is now "POSSINLY" exclusive to GH they suck? He never said they were exclusive he could of meant having there own game and Activision stepping up with that offer. Also to the guy who said Megadeth > Metallica well my dog's pile of **** > You

lololollol IT'S OFFICIAL Because I love Megadeth more than Metallica a dog's crap is better than me. What's with all these new**** coming in to the forums all of a sudden? I don't hate tallica, I just hate their actions.

[TthevoiceE]

Looks like regardless of what HMX has said about Metallica's Guitar Hero plans not affected any plans for Metallica DLC in Rock Band DLC, this may not be the case after all: http://kotaku.com/5067387/lars-ulrich-explains-why-metallica-sided-with-guitar-hero-not-rock-band


uh, when they said that activision was ready to step up, what lars really ment was activision is ready to pay a dumb price for crappy music.

Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh!!!

[l0vecraft]

It's the money.

"ready to step up on a number of fronts" prolly means "ready to pay out the ass for exclusivity"

Given Metallica's history it seems likely.

Apparently they need more diamond toilets and golden hot tubs.

[kiggidykev]

I don't really understand either. If you could have one person or two people give you money, why not go for two people.

[HeyRiles]

I find it interesting that now even bands are siding with either one or the other. It would be fantastic if Metallica and AC/DC got into a back-and-forth argument, I'd laugh

[Chemical Phoenix]

I don't hate tallica, I just hate their actions.

This. At least for me

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Lars needs to go back on cocaine and quit thinking thoughts.

[Plowens]

**** lars. I'm going to pirate his music then delete it then pirate again.

lol, love it

[mercuryshadow09]

**** lars. I'm going to pirate his music then delete it then pirate again.


That's not mah style brah. Anyways Megadeth > Metallica. I'm sticking with Rock Band. Wish we get some details from HMX though. They said it wouldn't affect it but now it is as though the winds they are a changing.

QFT, Lars is an idiot.


Somebody needs to tell lars he can't be the official band spokesperson,

Do that and James will beat your face in, hes just a shaved gorilla being controlled by a shaved monkey (Lars).


Wow, we have a bunch if bandwagon fanboys here. Oh Because Metallica is now "POSSINLY" exclusive to GH they suck? He never said they were exclusive he could of meant having there own game and Activision stepping up with that offer. Also to the guy who said Megadeth > Metallica well my dog's pile of **** > You

Wow you call other people fanboys then make a remark like this?

[Zeleii]

It seemed like Metallica was a top seller before exclusivity, but as soon as they leave nobodys a fan anymore?
I love Metallica, just 80's Metallica lol

I'll buy GH Metallica, but Lars was very foolish as he could have made a load more if he licensed to both. Given GH a game and given Rock Band Master of Puppets

[DethBoxx]

I'm sure what Lars means is that Activision was willing to make a game based around the band rather than just an extensive d/l pack or whatever it is MTV may have proposed.

And don't hold your breath waiting for Cliff as a playable character, that's not going to happen apparently.
Probably just as well, but I hope they pay tribute to him somehow.

[HazzyRap]

I think GH probably just gave them more money. Economics, folks.

And for the record, I don't think there's any exclusive deals yet, I could see Activision making a HUGE deal over that if it was true.

[DethBoxx]

Activision hasn't officially announced GH:M yet. So we don't yet know what they will say.

[HazzyRap]

Activision hasn't officially announced GH:M yet. So we don't yet know what they will say.

True. Even if they DO become exclusive, so is Aerosmith. For what, a year?

[HeyRiles]

Activision hasn't officially announced GH:M yet. So we don't yet know what they will say.

Well, they did, kind of. At E3. With the announcement that the entire new Metallica album was coming out as DLC on GH3 and GHIV

[crust_bomb]

Activision hasn't officially announced GH:M yet. So we don't yet know what they will say.

There was actually a short teaser video posted here that's supposedly on the GH:WT disc from one of the folks who acquired an early copy.

[svartikins]

Well, they did, kind of. At E3. With the announcement that the entire new Metallica album was coming out as DLC on GH3 and GHIV

And uh... the GH:M trailer that is in GHWT, unless it was a fake.

As of right now, I don't think we have to worry about exclusivity. Activision made GH:Aerosmith, but hey look, Train Kept A Rolling could be transferred to RB2. None of Activision's big "exclusive bands" from GH3 have been transferred to GHWT.

Also, I can picture a bitter rivalry happening if Metallica goes GH exclusive and Megadeth goes RB.

[DethBoxx]

There was actually a short teaser video posted here that's supposedly on the GH:WT disc from one of the folks who acquired an early copy.

Yes, I have seen it. But GHWT is not out yet.


Well, they did, kind of. At E3. With the announcement that the entire new Metallica album was coming out as DLC on GH3 and GHIV

I'm talking about GH:M..clearly those aren't the same thing.

[HeyRiles]

Yes, I have seen it. But GHWT is not out yet.



I'm talking about GH:M..clearly those aren't the same thing.

No I mean they announced GH:M ALONGSIDE the album DLC

[DethBoxx]

No I mean they announced GH:M ALONGSIDE the album DLC

No, they didn't announce it yet. It was only in an SEC filing and there is a video on the GHWT disk.

[flop404]

i.e. Activision offered the most money.

Activision offered a "Guitar Hero : Metallica" game.

It is not (only) money, it is much, much more exposure.

[flop404]

I don't really understand either. If you could have one person or two people give you money, why not go for two people.


More often than not, it's the people willing to give you money that will require you not to give your work to others.

"Okay, we propose you this" (money, visibility, ...), "but the condition is you don't deal with the competition"

Basically, Metallica might have had to choose between having two (relatively) anonymous DLC weekly pack, one on each platform, or going exclusive and getting a dedicated game for their band.

Yes, Activision "stepped up",

Just like Harmonix "stepped up" with AC/DC

[RockBandRocker]

Well, even if Lars is a douche, I'm still getting the vinyl re-issue of "...And Justice For All" that I've had on order for over a month next week.


I really hope that one of the contract stipulations for GH:M was that the band had to re-issue all their albums on vinyl so the skater bois (note the spelling) at Neversoft could think they know jack about rock music (and I could complete my Metallica vinyl collection).

[Thom1234]

GH has got my money now. I mean, extremely obscure indie stuff is great, but surely HMX realise that most of their fans want the hits from bigger bands. Losing Metallica is a huge blow to HMX. It's probably because they were too busy getting thenewno2 and The American Mall song...

[mercuryshadow09]

GH has got my money now. I mean, extremely obscure indie stuff is great, but surely HMX realise that most of their fans want the hits from bigger bands. Losing Metallica is a huge blow to HMX. It's probably because they were too busy getting thenewno2 and The American Mall song...

Ignorance is bliss, GH has no indie bands?

[BYC]

It's hard to say no to $$$. It's in the culture to get something now rather than wait for good things to happen. On the other hand, it's impossible to say if waiting will generate more sales. I do wonder if this deal will hurt sales in the long run since DLC tends be DLed forever and ever. If Activision is smart, they will allow GH: Metallica to transfer to hard drive like the AC/DC stuff. That'll make more $$$ for all of them.

[crust_bomb]

GH has got my money now. I mean, extremely obscure indie stuff is great, but surely HMX realise that most of their fans want the hits from bigger bands. Losing Metallica is a huge blow to HMX. It's probably because they were too busy getting thenewno2 and The American Mall song...

Because HMX is obviously working closely with those bands right now, and haven't put their recent resources into AC/DC or the lineup of albums that have been pouring into the Marketplace. :rolleyes:

[Thom1234]

Ignorance is bliss, GH has no indie bands?
True, but they have more well-known legendary bands than RB. That's what sells games to people outside of them rhythm gaming community.

[BYC]

True, but they have more well-known legendary bands than RB. That's what sells games to people outside of them rhythm gaming community.
Motley Crue and AC/DC doesn't count?

If you like Metallica better, that's fine. But don't try and argue that HMX doesn't have great bands in it too.

[mercuryshadow09]

True, but they have more well-known legendary bands than RB. That's what sells games to people outside of them rhythm gaming community.

Like BYC said i will add that we do have some Metallica songs plus:
The Cars
Judas Priest
Megadeth
Nirvana
The Rolling Stones
The Police
The list goes on and on, not to mention the song ratio is in HMXs favor now and will probably stay that way, and no im not a RB fanboy, i play GH and am getting GHWT.

[Thom1234]

Motley Crue and AC/DC doesn't count?

If you like Metallica better, that's fine. But don't try and argue that HMX doesn't have great bands in it too.

Motley Crue does not count. AC/DC does count.

However, GH has:
The Eagles
Aerosmith
Van Halen
Metallica
Hendrix
The Doors
CCR
Willie Nelson
Ozzy Osbourne
Foreigner
Oasis (I hate them but they're very well liked by everybody else.)

[crust_bomb]

True, but they have more well-known legendary bands than RB. That's what sells games to people outside of them rhythm gaming community.

We'd have to figure out which bands you personally consider well-known and legendary, but I'd say HMX currently has more.

Either way, I'm personally much more interested in the Rock Band lineup. Most of the bigger bands Activision has are pretty terrible, in my opinion, and a band's popularity doesn't translate to fun for me, but rather their music.

I'd rather play a game that has nothing but indie artists with music and charts that I enjoy over a game full of Metallica, The Eagles, Michael Jackson, Tool, etc.



However, GH has:
The Eagles
Aerosmith
Van Halen
Metallica
Hendrix
The Doors
CCR
Willie Nelson
Ozzy Osbourne
Foreigner
Oasis (I hate them but they're very well liked by everybody else.)

We have songs from 5 out of those 11 artists.

[j_dub_rules]

Motley Crue does not count. AC/DC does count.

However, GH has:
The Eagles
Aerosmith
Van Halen
Metallica
Hendrix
The Doors
CCR
Willie Nelson
Ozzy Osbourne
Foreigner
Oasis (I hate them but they're very well liked by everybody else.)

RB has:
AC/DC
Bob Dylan
Um....
Journey?
Judas Priest...
And that's about it.

What? RB has the Who, bigger and better than most of those...

Edit: And How the hell does Foreigner count but Motley Crue doesnt? At least Motley Crue are still playing shows at arenas and not at casinos

[mercuryshadow09]

Motley Crue does not count.

Ok im going to take that as a joke, because if you were serious, i would have to assume you are ******ed.

Edit: The censored word begins with an r, you figure it out.

[crust_bomb]

What? RB has the Who, bigger and better than most of those...

And Foo Fighters, David Bowie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boston, Pearl Jam, The Clash, Radiohead, The Grateful Dead, Nine Inch Nails, The Cars, Weezer, Duran Duran, Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, Guns 'N Roses, Kansas, and quite a few bands that are right on the borderline.


And How the hell does Foreigner count but Motley Crue doesnt? At least Motley Crue are still playing shows at arenas and not at casinos

Good point. A quick trip to wikipedia told me that despite Foreigner having a 4 year lead on Motley Crue, they've sold only 50 million albums to the Crue's 80 million.

[Runa216]

Oh man, this is good.

it sucks, LArs is an idiot....get over it.

[kiggidykev]

Edit: And How the hell does Foreigner count but Motley Crue doesnt? At least Motley Crue are still playing shows at arenas and not at casinos

Does Foreigner still tour? We saw Lou Gramm Band open for Boston a few months back.

Honestly, I`ve never seen a ****ing opening band take an encore before. That dude needs a second tour bus for his wrinkly old ego :)

[j_dub_rules]

Does Foreigner still tour? We saw Lou Gramm Band open for Boston a few months back.

Honestly, I`ve never seen a ****ing opening band take an encore before. That dude needs a second tour bus for his wrinkly old ego :)

Maybe not haha...I know Lou has come to one of the casinos in the area like 2 or 3 times. I beleive one time it was sold as Lou Gramm of Foreigner haha

[Rockbandfan23467]

And Foo Fighters, David Bowie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boston, Pearl Jam, The Clash, Radiohead, The Grateful Dead, Nine Inch Nails, The Cars, Weezer, Duran Duran, Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, Guns 'N Roses, Kansas, and quite a few bands that are right on the borderline.


Bold= Not Legendary. And Motley Crue isn't legendary either.

[Starfleet_Rambo]

Why do the other guys let this little leprechaun ruin their name???

Lars....! Nevermind. I can't go any further without typing ban-worthy material. :mad:

[afterstasis]

Bold= Not Legendary. And Motley Crue isn't legendary either.

there isn't a set template for deciding whether or not a band is legendary.

the definition of "legendary" is "well-known or famous"...
do you not think those bands are well-known or famous, particularly in comparison to foreigner? :rolleyes:

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Bold= Not Legendary. And Motley Crue isn't legendary either.

you = need to shut up.

[Rockbandfan23467]

The bands I bolded aren't good enough to be legendary. Neither are Motley Crue and Foreigner.

[afterstasis]

The bands I bolded aren't good enough to be legendary. Neither are Motley Crue and Foreigner.

could you enlighten us by sharing what defines "good" and "legendary"?

i've been using these musty ol' dictionaries so long that i guess i'm behind the times.

[toymachineSH]

oh you are so lucky you didn't bold NIN I was gonna be reaaaaaaal pissed offf XD

[Rockbandfan23467]

Well to be good enought to be legendary a band has to put out several amazing albums and have a wide influence. Boston, Kansas, The Cars, Weezer, Rush, Crue and Foreigner haven't done that. What have Boston done outside of their first album with noting? Kansas only has two songs! The Cars aren't particuarly well knonwn. Weezer is just not legendary to me. Rush...they are a cult band. Cult Bands = / Legends. Motley Crue and Foreigner are not important to Rock. Well Crue might be, but they are not legendary.

[afterstasis]

Well to be good enought to be legendary a band has to put out several amazing albums and have a wide influence. Boston, Kansas, The Cars, Weezer, Rush, Crue and Foreigner haven't done that. What have Boston done outside of their first album with noting? Kansas only has two songs! The Cars aren't particuarly well knonwn. Weezer is just not legendary to me. Rush...they are a cult band. Cult Bands = / Legends. Motley Crue and Foreigner are not important to Rock. Well Crue might be, but they are not legendary.

so you're completely redefining the word...

here's a link where you can get in touch with merriam-webster. if they accept your new definition then get in touch with me and i'll edit my post...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/contact.htm