Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor backs Metallica’s decision to sue Napster back in 2000

Corey Taylor has revealed what he thinks of Metallica’s controversial decision to sue Napster back in 2000 over the service’s illegal fire-sharing of their music.

While speaking on the Kidd Chris – Off Air podcast, the Slipknot frontman declared that he “fully backed” the San Francisco metallers’ move, adding that he believes we’re now seeing the “aftermath” of the rise of digital streaming today, with many musicians struggling to earn a living off the process.

Corey Taylor and Lars Ulrich

(Image credit: Press, KMazur/WireImage)

He explains (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “I completely backed it, man. We’re seeing the aftermath of it, to be honest.

Corey Taylor 'Completely Backed' Lars Ulrich in Napster Battle

“I mean, obviously, I have to work with streaming, DSPs and whatnot, but it doesn’t mean I like it. The odds are so stacked against the artist that less and less people are able to make a living at this, man — unless you hit the jackpot.”

Adding how even the most successful of artists are impacted, the vocalist continues, “And even when you hit the jackpot, you’re paid peanuts. And it’s revolting in a lot of ways. I’m still waiting for the legislation to actually go into effect, but it’s been appealed so many times by all of the DSPs that we may never see the right way.

“And honestly, it’s one of the things why I’m kind of gratified by the fact that physical copies are actually coming back more and more, especially in our genre. So that, at least, is keeping us afloat. But it’s hard. And this is somebody who is just getting by.

“What about the younger bands who can’t make it? What about the younger bands who, they’re tied to the old system, and the only thing that they can do is hope and pray that something breaks through. But then you have to stream billions to make [any real money]. It’s ridiculous. The math doesn’t work. And I’m tired of talking to people about it because the math doesn’t work.

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“They’re paid even less than the old radio structure. At least you could make a goddamn living [back then]… That’s why I commend these younger bands that are bypassing the label structure, period. And they’re going, ‘I’m not gonna let them collect everything.’ Honestly, it’s the only way to make DSPs work in your favor, is to cut out the middle man, because that’s where all the money is going.”

Taylor concludes: “Listen, I’m gonna come off like an asshole, because it’s just the way it is. I think if more people realized how badly artists were paid, they might say something or they might try to do something. But a lot of people are selfish as well, and rightfully so, because at the end of the day, if you’re not looking out for yourself, who the hell is looking out for you? But it still doesn’t mean that the artist isn’t getting fucked.”

Taylor is not the first person to recently speak out about the realities of surviving in a streaming-focused industry as a working musician. Last month, Cradle Of Filth’s Dani Filth dubbed Spotify “the biggest criminals in the world”, and discussed the misconception that the public have over musicians and their financial income.

In November, Taylor will head off on a UK/European solo tour in promotion of his forthcoming new album CMF2, which is due out on September 15. View dates below:

Nov 08: Leeds O2 Academy, UK
Nov 09: Wolverhampton Civic, UK
Nov 11: Manchester Academy, UK
Nov 12: GlasgowO2 Academy, UK
Nov 14: London Eventim Apollo, UK
Nov 19: Paris Le Trianon, France
Nov 20: Cologne Palladium, Germany
Nov 22: Berlin Verti Music Hall, Germany
Nov 24: Tilburg 013, Netherlands