Nine Inch Nails star Trent Reznor has blasted Australia's leading music retailers for pricing the group's new CD Year Zero too high. Angry Reznor has posted a statement on the group's official website, admitting he's sickened by industry attempts to "screw the consumer," adding, "No wonder people steal music."

He writes, "Shame on you, Year Zero is selling for $34.99 Australian dollars ($29). Avril Lavigne's record in the same store was $21.99 ($18). When I asked a label rep about this his response was: 'It's because we know you have a real core audience that will pay whatever it costs when you put something out - you know, true fans. It's the pop stuff we have to discount to get people to buy.'

"So... I guess as a reward for being a 'true fan' you get ripped off. I am trying my best to make sure the music and items NIN puts in the marketplace have value, substance and are worth you considering purchasing. I am not allowing Capital G (the band's next single) to be repackaged into several configurations that result in you getting ripped off."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)