Earlier this week heavy metal legends Metallica issued its new single, "The Day That Never Comes," on iTunes. But within hours, fans were complaining about the sound quality saying the song sounded “like mud.” 

Norwegian music industry magazine Faro Journalen reports that the band’s record label, Universal Music Norway, has confirmed that it has received several complaints about the sound quality of the iTunes version.

"There will be a new version of the song on iTunes in a short while," said a senior product manager at Universal Music Norway. "What we know is that there is something wrong with the version sent to iTunes." 

A representative for the band’s Mission: Metallica website sent out an email message to members last week claiming that the sound quality problems on "The Day That Never Comes," off the band’s forthcoming Rick Rubin-produced album Death Magnetic, were related to "the creation of the track from master," before reassuring fans that "this is not how it will sound on the album." He then added, "We've identified the source of the problem to prevent it in any subsequent singles released in advance of September 12."

But according to Blabbermouth.net, “it is believed that the source of the problem lies in the actual mix and not the mastering. With only three weeks left before Death Magnetic's scheduled release, it is highly unlikely that any changes will be made to the album's final mix, a scenario which is almost certain to disappoint may of Metallica’s most loyal fans who have been voicing their displeasure over the new single's production on the band's official message board.”

Hey, maybe it’s just that highly sought after Rick Rubin touch!
 
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