'Rock Band Metal Track Pack' announced

OK, we get it, you're excited about Guitar Hero: Van Halen. Who isn't? But hey, there's always another, more Rock Band-y option (that doesn't include The Beatles).

According to a press release, the Rock Band Metal Track Pack will be released as a stand-alone disc for all consoles on Oct. 13. Here's the track list:

1. All That Remains - Two Weeks
2. At the Gates - Blinded By Fear
3. Black Tide - ShockWave
4. Blue Öyster Cult - Transmaniacon MC
5. Bullet For My Valentine - Waking the Demon
6. Children of Bodom - Are You Dead Yet
7. Evile - Thrasher
8. Godsmack - I Stand Alone
9. The Haunted - D.O.A.
10. Hawkwind - Master Of The Universe
11. I Mother Earth - Levitate
12. In This Moment - Forever
13. Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance
14. Lacuna Coil - Closer
15. Lamb of God - Laid to Rest
16. Motörhead - Killed by Death
17. Nazareth - Hair of the Dog
18. Queens of the Stone Age - 3’s & 7’s
19. Rage Against The Machine - Bulls On Parade
20. Yngwie Malmsteen - Red Devil

Whoa! Nazareth, Motörhead and Rage Against The Machine on one disc? They really did their best to cover all their bases. Any glaring omissions?

Prince talks 'Guitar Hero' with Tavis

In high school, I was an outspokenly huge rock 'n' roll nerd. Therefore, there were lunch room fights that would break out between my friends and I.

Friend 1: What are you talking about? The Eagles are a great band.
Me: No, they're not a great band. They're good musicians who make OK music.
Friend 1: That's crap!

It was at this point that another friend would step in.

Friend 2: Guys! What do you think about Prince?
Me: Oh, Prince is amazing.
Friend 1: Oh yeah, I love Prince.

Prince was our middle ground, our ambassador of peace. He's an amazing artist, an incredible guitarist and an icon.

The man sat down with Tavis Smiley and talked about his life, his music and Guitar Hero.

I hear it made, like, $2 billion and they came to us and offered us a very small portion of that. But I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar. It's a tough instrument -- it's not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it's cool for people who don't have time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it, but to play music is one of the greatest things.

To create something from nothing is one of the greatest feelings, and I would -- I don't know, I wish it upon everybody. It's heaven.

Hear that? Prince wants you to learn how to play actual guitar. And he's right. Playing guitar and creating your own work is a wonderful thing.

But don't be alarmed. He's not dissing the game. He just thinks there's a better way to waste his time. To each his own. Now where are my plastic instruments?

Hendrix Says "No" to Wii DLC

That Jimi Hendrix sure has become persnickety from beyond the grave. First he wants his cameo in Guitar Hero: World Tour, now he says he can only release his songs in "track pack" form. Thus, since the Wii can't support downloadable track packs, there will be no Hendrix downloadable content for the wii.


I suppose the reasoning behind the decision is because the Wii Shop Channel doesn't allow "duplicate" content. That means if you want to buy the Bowie track pack on Rock Band, you'll just have to buy the three songs individually. Is it unfortunate? When it omits certain (see above) rock 'n' roll legends, yes, it does.

Come on, The Ghost of Jimi Hendrix. Lighten up. So what if my neighbors want to play your songs at top volume so I can hear them through the paper thin walls singing "Beat It" as loud as they can completely off pitch? On second thought, thank you, TGJH. Thank you.

The Nuge Rides a Buffalo Into the World Tour

Thanks to the guys at Joystiq for the story and video. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to peruse my copy of Kill It & Grill It.

New Guitar Hero World Tour Songs Added

Ah yes, Guitar Hero (no colon) World Tour, or Rock Band Sort Of. Well they announced new tracks. Here they are.

Airbourne – "Too Much Too Young…"
At the Drive-in – "One Armed Scissor"
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – "Weapon of Choice"
Bob Seger – "Hollywood Nights"
Dinosaur Jr. – "Feel the pain"
Silversun Pickups – "Lazy Eye"
Survivor – "Eye of the Tiger"

I'm happy about the Dinosaur Jr. track. And of course, "Hollywood Nights." Because who doesn't like a guy who tries way too hard every time? Guitar Hero World Tour is set for October 26.

Guitar Hero: Metallica Coming to PS3, Xbox 360, Wii in 2009

I was severely disappointed to hear about the production of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. There are a lot of bands that rock a lot harder than Steven Tyler and the gang. They could have made Guitar Hero: Led Zeppelin or Guitar Hero: Bo Diddley for that matter (may he rest in peace).

Let me be clear: I love music. It's not a surprise by any means, but it's the truth. I may not be a metal head of any kind (in any sense of the term), but I'm legitimately pleased about the release of Guitar Hero: Metallica for the PS3, Wii, and 360 in the first quarter of 2009.

I've never been a huge Metallica fan. I mean, I'm happy that they're playing Bonnaroo this year (a festival I've attended twice, never to return again). They're also easily the best modern metal band. I suppose I prefer Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin on the whole, but Metallica took what those groups did and manipulated it into what metal is today. Metallica's songs are fast, heavy, and powerful, which is perfect for a title like Guitar Hero. Also, at this point in time, the franchise will have not only guitars, but also drums and vocals (as mentioned before).

So what does everybody think? Are you more likely to buy Aerosmith or Metallica?

Guitar Hero to Jump the Shark

I won't ramble on too much, but Guitar Hero IV, set to be released later this year, will include more instruments, including a drum kit and vocals according to Activision CEO Bobby Kotick (in an interview with Conde Nast Porfolio magazine). Hmm...this all seems so familiar. Perhaps it's because my copy of Rock Band does exactly the same thing.

Has Guitar Hero lost its way? I talked to my roommate Glenn about his appreciation for Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero. He likes both games. We play Rock Band from time to time, but only when we can get the other to play it. It's harder to get into it by yourself. It's definitely not a game that's very much fun when you're playing it alone. Enter Guitar Hero, a game that's fun both when you're alone and with your friends. Glenn prefers Guitar Hero because you can play it solo without feeling like a fool.

Guitar Hero IV doesn't need to be Rock Band II in order to succeed. It just needs to be itself again. People still bought Guitar Hero III in the face of the much-cooler Rock Band and people will still buy Guitar Hero IV. They just need to keep improving their song choice, graphics, and maybe add a couple of motifs in there that players aren't used to. So, people of Activision, get it together. Don't be Rock Band. It's like every sitcom mom ever said to any sitcom son or daughter - just be yourself.

Guitar Hero of War

It's time to rock out to the tune of Poseidon's help in your bloody quest.

PlayStation Underground members received an e-mail saying that on June 5, a God of War for Guitar Hero III will be released exclusively for the PS3. There's no word as to which song it'll be. That's cool and everything, but where's the Parappa the Rappa song pack?

A Less Awesome But Still Fun Guitar Hero

Cool?

Yeah, you can play Guitar Hero via widget now. But don't mind me. I'll be over here playing Free Tetris.

Nyko Rocks Out...with peripherals...so I guess they don't really rock out at all...

In November, Nyko released some peripherals for the Wii, the Perfect Shot and Net Connect. The former is a hollow gun that will tote your Wiimote (see the Wii Zapper) while the latter is a peripheral that allows Wii users to connect to the Internet with an ethernet cable (no wireless, no problem). Well, those suckers are at it again with the Frontman guitar. Not unlike the wireless guitar they released for the PS2 editions of Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II, the new controller is compatible for the PS3 versions of Rock Band and Guitar Hero III. There's even a little switch that flips between Rock Band mode and GHIII mode, so your PS3 won't get confused. Aww.

I'm no expert with Nyko. They make some handy little devices that make gaming life a little easier - like the Net Connect or the Wii Charge Station - but this controller will cost you $59.99. If you only have one game or the other, I wouldn't waste my money, but this controller could come in handy if you have each game and need a second guitar.

But do these things work better? Do they increase your rocking potential? Just wondering.

Here's to you, Nyko - picking up the slack for inconviences across the gaming world.