Ok, before I continue let me clarify. I�m not some hack who�s just writing this column because it�s THE hot issue among music fans right now. I�m writing this column because I am a die-hard Metallica fan. Have been since I was 12. The first CD I ever owned was �..And Justice�, that�s not the first Metallica CD I ever owned, that�s the first CD I ever owned PERIOD. Anyway, if it�s Metallica related I�ve either heard it or seen it. I have spent the last 11 years building a knowledge of Metallica that borders on obsessive. So, yes, you can group me with every other obsessive Metallica fan you know: (minus the fact I've never seen them in concert, but hey, the last time they were in my hometown of Charleston WV, I was too young to go. And I'm not gonna be able to afford a Summer Sanitarium trip so, oh well, that�s another rant for another day I suppose.) Anyway, now that I've shown that I do have a leg to stand on with this, I'll continue.....

So, Metallica goes after Napster because of copyright violations, well, that�s fine. Here�s a news flash for all you people out there down on Metallica: THEY ARE WELL WITHIN THERE RIGHT TO DO THIS! Look, when you get to be as big as Metallica you are gonna piss some people off when you do something like this, that�s expected. But, the main point is that Napster was costing them and hundreds of other artists money..no matter how you slice it and anyone will admit it, EVEN YOUR PRECIOUS FRED DURST!! Listen, off camera, where the mindless sheep can�t see or hear him I will guaren-damn-te you Fred Durst is as much opposed to Napster as Metallica, Dr Dre and anyone else that�s come out against Napster, but, he�s to busy trying to impress all the little boys and girls that he�ll say whatever it takes to do it..Napster is another example of that. But, once again, Fred Durst is another rant for another day.

Before I go any further, let me say that I have Napster on my computer. My library only has two songs in it..neither of which are Metallica songs. I use Napster to find rare songs or live songs or songs you just aren�t able to find anywhere else (Body Counts �Cop Killer� comes to mind...) So, I don�t hate Napster, but, I do recognize the fact that what they do is illegal. One more thing I'd like to say before I close this rant out is this: I�ve heard a few people say that what Metallica has done is a slap in the face to their fans. I say BULLSHIT!! Look, the way I look at it is this, if you ever were a Metallica fan, a TRUE Metallica fan, then you would support the band in whatever they do. 

Whether it�s cut they�re hair, tour with KoRn, or take legal courses with Napster, then you support it. If you claimed to be a Metallica fan and you turned on them after ANY of these instances, then you never were a fan. You were like all the other sheep that heard �Enter Sandman� 7 billion times and went out and transformed into a Metallica fan. You don�t really give a f*** about the band and you never did. So, for those who fall into that category let me just say: f*** You and Shut the f*** up.. Your opinion is neither needed nor is it wanted. Leave the debates about Metallica to people like myself, a dedicated to the bone Metallica fan. You can go listen to Limp Bizkit or whatever else is hot, just leave this argument to the rest of us with a clue!

Of course, I could be wrong....

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