While Snapchat augmented reality often embraces pop stars like Drake and Ariana Grande, a couple of bands from the louder side of the music industry have found a home with Facebook.
First, Slipknot has published an AR experience via Facebook's Spark AR platform to promote the band's forthcoming album, We Are Not Your Kind, which drops on Aug. 9.
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The band beckons metalheads to "Wear the Mask," with virtual versions of the nine creepy masks worn by Slipknot members on stage, all available in the AR experience. In addition, the camera effect blares the band's single, "Unsainted," in the background.
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
On the other side of the metal spectrum, Guns N' Roses is using AR to sell the remastered and expanded edition of its classic rock album Appetite for Destruction with a similar AR tactic.
In its AR experience, the band invites fans to "GnFnR" themselves with virtual masks of vocalist Axl Rose, guitarist Slash, and bassist Duff McKagen, as depicted on the album's cover art.
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Both experiences allow users to capture the experience and either share it on Facebook or save to their camera roll. However, Guns N' Roses is also giving fans the opportunity to win a Locked N' Loaded box set (retail value of $399) by capturing their AR likenesses, adding a music sticker, and sharing in the comments of this post by Aug. 5.
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
So why are these bands opting for Facebook over Snapchat? Considering the fact that Slipknot and Guns N' Roses released their breakthrough albums in 1999 and 1987, respectively, both cater to an older audience. According to a Pew Internet survey, Facebook now commands a far higher share of users 30 and older compared to Snapchat.
Nonetheless, the adoption of augmented reality for marketing outside of the province of pop music bodes well for the continued adoption and growth of the technology.
Cover image via Tommy Palladino/Next Reality
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