In the time when record companies want more royalties from music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Metallica has announced that their latest album will be available for Guitar Hero World Tour as downloadable content. Hopefully more bands would follow in Metallica’s footsteps and offer their album as DLC as well.

Activision’s partnership with Metallica would be the first time that a music album release is simultaneous with it’s availability as DLC for any video game. The band has always been technologically savvy. In 2000 Metallica was one of the first bands who sued Napster and eventually had a hand in shutting it down. I never forgave Metallica for that one.

I hated the band’s subsequent releases after that. Aside from bringing down Napster, their St. Anger album lacked the edge of their previous releases. Plus without Newsted, Metallica is not Metallica.

Then here comes Death Magnetic, the band’s ninth album. Judging from the leaks I’ve heard these past days, their old heavy sound which I used to love is back. It is set for a September 12 release and will be available for the Wii’s Guitar Hero World Tour.

And here’s what Lars Ulrich has to say about the leak of their album ten days before its release:

Ten days out and it hasn’t quote-unquote fallen off the truck yet? Everybody’s happy. It’s 2008 and it’s part of how it is these days, so it’s fine. We’re happy.

I guess Metallica has finally come to terms as to what the Internet is really all about. Are you happy with Metallica’s move? Tell us your thoughts.