Sorry to take it off track, I've only read this page and the first page - which I found of some interest. Something to the effect of people not downloading the album out of respect for the band.
I am all for supporting bands you like and think are worth supporting, however the interesting issue here is not being able to try before you buy. Its not as if Opeth are played on any of my local radio stations in any regular way (or in anyway, infact), so how can you tell whether its worth buying?
Music (and to an extent, movies etc) belongs in a limited category goods in which fans (consumers) do not necessarily know the quality of said good, before they buy it. Most things you purchase on a regular basis, come with guarantees of quality, where as music, clearly does not. I admit, an artist has to work to gain respect and earn a fan base, thus pushing most of the risk of a sale upon themselves. However, established artists seem to be indemnified from releasing a wrath of shit upon fans (see St Anger, although in this case i use the term fan, loosely) . Thus my point, why should we not be able to try before we buy? Enjoying the album and not buying it, is a different issue all together, but I can't see a problem with finding out if something is any good or not.
So until artists are willing to return my money for albums that blatantly suck balls (see Slayer, Metallica, Sepultura, Mayhem, Burzum, Emperor, Xasthur, Grand Belial's Key) you name the band, they probably released at least one shit album), I don't think its my duty to support them until I know they are worth it, ESPECIALLY at up to $40 bucks a CD, which for someone over in Aus on min wage, is 2.5hrs work.
and lol at that last line there, Moonlapse.
