After invoking the ire of Internet users in 2000 with their criticisms of Napster, Metallica has apparently made peace with the Internet.

The band's drummer, Lars Ulrich, commented on the leak of their new album:

If this thing leaks all over the world today or tomorrow, happy days. It's 2008 and it's part of how it is these days.

In 2003, Metallica decided to allow fans to download their music via the internet, three years after taking legal action to prevent digital access to their material. The band chose to make their entire back catalogue available for download in 2006 - after finally relenting on a refusal to allow their music to be carried by iTunes.