E3 '07: Metallica, album downloads to rock Rock Band

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 11, 2007 2:37 pm PT

Upcoming rhythm game to offer full-length albums, starting with The Who's Who's Next?; Song count now at 16 with Rush, Bon Jovi, and Stone Temple Pilots jumping on bandwagon; "Enter Sandman" also to be featured in the game.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--The Battle of the Bands is officially on. Yesterday, the Neversoft-developed Guitar Hero III revealed the python-enthused former Guns N' Roses fretter Slash would rock on a variety of unlockable guitars. Today, original Guitar Hero developer Harmonix fired back with the announcement that it will offer not just hit singles for gamers to play, but entire full-length albums from multiple labels.

The first band to receive the digital conversion will be classic British rockers The Who. Gamers will be able to form a virtual cover band playing guitar, hitting the drums, and singing along to the band's widely acclaimed 1971 album Who's Next. The album should hit soon after the game's release this fall, with new content planned on a weekly basis. For those a bit rusty on their classic rock, the full track list for the album follows:

The Who's Who's Next:

"Baba O' Riley"
"Bargain"
"Love Ain't for Keepin'"
"My Wife (Entwistle)"
"The Song Is Over"
"Getting in Tune"
"Going Movile"
"Behind Blue Eyes"
"Won't Get Fooled Again"

Harmonix also announced the first 15 songs from the retail edition of Rock Band. A glance at the list reveals a wide array of rock subgenres and decades represented, from David Bowie and Black Sabbath to The Hives and The Strokes.

Piling on the announcements, Harmonix also revealed that Steven Van Zandt had signed on to chief Rock Band's music advisory board. In addition to appearing in the HBO gangster drama The Sopranos, Van Zandt is a member of Bruce Springsteen backing band E Street Band. Van Zandt also hosts the weekly syndicated radio show Little Steven's Underground Garage, which showcases up-and-coming sub-genre rock bands, and is a program director for the Sirius Satellite Radio network.

But wait, there's more. Hoping to toll the bell on its competition, Harmonix revealed the Grammy-winning "Enter Sandman" from Metallica's 1991 Black album will be included in Rock Band's initial lineup shipping with the game. Announced at the end of EA's press conference, Kathy Vrabeck also made mention that a "substantial" number of songs from Metallica's catalog are slated to appear in the game.

The first 16 songs from Rock Band are listed below, with the new songs in bold:

Artist - Song (asterisk indicates a cover version of a song):

The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Mountain - "Mississippi Queen"*
David Bowie - "Suffragette City"
Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"*
Blue Oyster Cult - "Don't Fear the Reaper"
The Ramones - "Rockaway Beach"
Rush - "Tom Sawyer"*
 Bon Jovi - "Wanted Dead or Alive"
 Nirvana - "In Bloom"
Stone Temple Pilots - "Vasoline"
Weezer - "Say It Ain't So"
Foo Fighters - "Learn to Fly"
The Hives - "Main Offender"
The Strokes - "Reptilia"
 Queens of the Stone Age - "Go With the Flow"
 Metallica - "Enter Sandman"

228 Comments

  • DecardL7

    Posted Nov 21, 2007 10:22 am PT

    Harvester of Sorrow anyone? ...AJFA has the best guitar parts of all the albums (It is the best album..)

    Thing That Should Not Be! Puppets! Disposable Heroes! Anything off Puppets..

  • 8bit16bitsowhat

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 12:32 pm PT

    they should have 'for whom the bells toll' instead of 'sandman' or 'where ever i may roam'. i wonder if this guitar would be compatible for GH3. hope so, not sure which on to get. i like the set list for GH3 better but love the idea of all instruments

  • Raven4d8

    Posted Oct 19, 2007 5:32 am PT

    i think this game will need to have every single MetallicA song avaiable to us to download.... up until the black album after that they kinda fell off.... but Im still excited about guitar hero having ONE in it... probably not only one of MetallicA's best songs of all time but one of the greatest songs ever. And yes this game should include the likes of Master of Puppets, fade to black, blackend I love the intro to that song amazing!!! Seek and Destroy!!!!!!!!!!! there are way to many.... creeping death... fight fire with fire, bell tolls, welcome home i could go on and on but you get the picture...

  • Gorge-a-Maniac

    Posted Sep 25, 2007 8:48 pm PT

    No idea why they chose sandman... Put in FtB or Puppets. That'd give a more challenging and exciting song to play along with.

  • SkaterDeano

    Posted Sep 24, 2007 1:42 pm PT

    omgwtfbbq111 ur forgetting only the best metallica song of all time
    FADE TO BLACK
    and sanatarium but fade to black is MY FAVORITE SONG and that solo gives me the chills
    call me crazy but you dont undrestand how great that song is
    ive never been so grateful to play metallica on gh
    but if you can truly download whole albums (for a reasonable price) im not sure which ill pick
    i know fade to black was made for guitar hero just listen to it

  • darth-revan

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 12:27 am PT

    Lostboy, you don't need anyone else to play it. You can pick just one instrument and play, go online with others and play or just play that instrument by yourself.

  • Raykuza

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 12:29 pm PT

    I cant say I'm psyched for any of this. Enter Sandman will be nice. As for GH3 vs Rock Band: first game to announce a Jimi Hendrix song wins my monies. Nuff said.

  • Odin00

    Posted Sep 9, 2007 6:01 am PT

    The Who's entire 'Who's Next' album? Oh man, that's awesome!

  • Lostboy1224

    Posted Sep 7, 2007 7:02 pm PT

    Do you have to have four live people to actually play Rock Band? Because I would love to use the guitar but I don't want to sing or anything else. If you need four people then this game might be in a little bit of trouble, because not everyone wants to sing in stead of playing the guitar or drums. Not sure.......

  • Foffity

    Posted Sep 7, 2007 3:52 am PT

    If they put MCR on, millions of gamers the world over will lose their hearing due to stabbing needles into their own ears. Metallica, QOTSA, Rush and BOC ftw.

  • Monkeymaninia

    Posted Sep 6, 2007 4:45 pm PT

    MCR sucks alone with the used and fall out boy

  • MCRFan2708

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 6:43 pm PT

    What about My Chemical Romance and their songs such as House of Wolves and Welcome to the Black Parade. And how about some AC/DC, The Used, and Fall Out Boy

  • braker117

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 5:08 am PT

    I hope they can do a decent cover of Tom Sawyer.

  • monkeyman98

    Posted Aug 25, 2007 9:57 am PT

    actually metallica will have a song on gh3, its gonna be One which in my opinon is a better song than enter sandman,the guitar in one is just beastly. either way im happy to see some metallica

  • BonziBoce

    Posted Aug 4, 2007 12:19 am PT

    This game is gunna suck BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • PiNwOrM

    Posted Aug 2, 2007 3:47 pm PT

    I get only GH3 or Rock Band when they come out, and I was originally going with GH3, but after seeing the 22 or so songs GH3 has so far, I HATE some of the songs, can not STAND them. Dislike most of the others, and there's TWO I do like.. Such a dissappointment after GH2's soundtrack.. Anywho, I love nearly EVERY song on this lift so far. Looks like I know which game I'll be getting.

  • Drakier

    Posted Aug 1, 2007 2:10 am PT

    The Strokes! Can't wait to play You Only Live Once!

  • OMGWTFBBQ111

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 10:53 pm PT

    Quote:
    Kathy Vrabeck also made mention that a "substantial" number of songs from Metallica's catalog are slated to appear in the game. ----------------------
    My god, they better have:

    - Dyers Eve
    - Blackened
    - Battery
    - Leper Messiah
    - Whiplash
    - Disposable Heros
    - ...And Justice for All
    - Master of Puppets
    - Ride the Lightning
    - Fight Fire with Fire

    *drool*

  • majin_vegeta300

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 8:16 am PT

    Rock Band FTW

  • Juunana

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 8:19 am PT

    Is that...a Queens of the Stone Age song that I see?!?

    I'm so getting this.

  • Mexican_Diablo

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 3:14 pm PT

    Everything is great, but, $$??? no matter what, I´ll end buying it, haha

  • maximo1

    Posted Jul 21, 2007 7:20 pm PT

    I can't wait! ...goes to store and preorders.

  • darthragar

    Posted Jul 21, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    i thought i'd remain a GH fanatic but i'm starting to appreciate both.

  • jes1709

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 9:50 pm PT

    dude im going to start saving up

  • packernation31

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 1:30 pm PT

    Man I wish I had the money to get this game......

  • Anteraan

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    This is going to be a blast. Personally, I'm hoping for some BOSTON in the game (though I'll never touch the vocals in many of their songs). I'm also jazzed about Rush being involved. And of course, Metallica - good lord this will be great!

  • fsfunkydotcom

    Posted Jul 19, 2007 8:04 am PT

    Go With The effin' Flow

  • SadMetFan

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 6:19 pm PT

    O_o...They're putting the entire album up...OH MY GOD THANK YOU!!! LONG LIVE ROCK!!!

  • Shinedown220

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    Cant frickin wait!!! \m/

  • lamplan

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 12:03 pm PT

    Not part of the guitar hero series here, though, you like it you'll like this.

    I can't wait to play it!

  • hellscovern

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 5:52 am PT

    Xbox-360-gamer.. Harmonix have nothing to do the Guitar hero any more they do Rock band now.. Guitar hero is being done by Neversoft Activision are still the publisher though. And i'm afraid the only way your going to play Metallica is to get Rock band as i said they are licesnced to it maybe some time down the road both GH and Rockband could have them but for now it's Rock band only.. as for the song choice as i said in my post Harmonix will be providing a big selection of Metallica tracks for download so the Better Tracks as you put it would most likely be there.. The reason sandman is picked is to do with how the career mode is done in that you play throughout the years and the Metallica sandman track is unlocked in the 90's section and felt it was the better track from the black album or maybe Metallica themselves recommended it to them who knows.

  • andrewglesener

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 12:42 am PT

    Yes!!! The strokes!! Good to see 'em in there!

  • GreenC4T

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 12:17 pm PT

    Can't wait for this game! \m/

  • Xbox-360-Gamer

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 3:04 pm PT

    hellscovern... wait so there won't be any metallica song on guitar hero 3? why am i moaning? because i'm a big metallica fan and want them in guitar hero 3 not freakin rock band. but they could've picked a better song. doesn't harmonix also have something to do with GH3 though?

  • Ziaxool

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 2:41 pm PT

    Finally; the biggest metal band ever finds it's way to the Guitar Hero series!

    If they could only get some more Pantera in there somehow...

  • battlfrnt2006

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 2:35 pm PT

    Now I'm definetly getting either a PS3 or 360 for this game! Metallica kicks A$$!!!

  • hellscovern

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 3:51 am PT

    Xbox-360-gamer.. GH3 wouldn't be able to have Metallica as they are licensed to rock band that's how they are able to provide Future downloads of their tracks.. Guns N' Roses welcome to the Jungle was on Rock band until GH3 done a deal with Slash so they now have it instead and most likely any other GNR Tracks.. and as for the song choice why are you moaning.. Harmonix have made it clear that they will haver a big selection of Metallica tracks to download so One, bells,Master etc would most likely be part of that.

  • BigMoney09

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 11:10 pm PT

    Blue_Tape said: Motorhead's cover of Enter Sandman is better than the original.

    The guitar is way better but the singing is awful... lemmy just sounded like he was shouting.

  • devoresk8

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 5:56 pm PT

    oh man, mississippi queen is a rockin tune, this is going to be a good one

  • Sushbag88

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 5:42 pm PT

    Holy **** Finally, Metallica in a music game. I am buying this. Well, I was buying it anyway but now it's for sure.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 5:24 pm PT

    Bon Jovi? Sweet!

  • Juggernaut140

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 3:09 pm PT

    diablobasher, metallica kicks ass, shut up. I hope they can get Orion, Whiskey in the Jar, Seek and Destroy, Metal Militia, and Escape.

  • remy_marceaux

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 2:50 pm PT

    Harmonix.... you better kick Activision's *** with Rock Band. This set list looks amazing so far. Utterly amazing.

  • gondor24

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 12:57 pm PT

    This might as well be the greatest game ever. Lol
    Does any one know if you can reserve it yet?

  • qaz88aof

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 12:13 pm PT

    Metallica ****** rocks!!!!

    Also Blue Oyster Cult and Bon Jovi!

  • rl_41

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 12:02 pm PT

    Don't fear the reaper! I wish they made a cowbell attatchment for this game. And enter sandman of all metallica songs? They finally get Metallica but they can't get something awesome like One, or Master of Puppets or something... come on

  • Xbox-360-Gamer

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 10:26 am PT

    this is sooo freakin bull. if they dont put one metallica song on GH3 i'm going to be pissed. i dont care if its on the disc or if its DLC. they definitely better have them on gh3. screw rock band, and you get enter sandman too. thats cool, but i definitely wouldn't wanna play that song. i want something real good from them..playing for whom the bell tolls would be sweet, or one, no remorse. gh3 better get metallica

  • hellscovern

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 4:47 am PT

    While metallica's enter sandman is on the disc they did say they will be having a huge list of Metallica tracks to download maybe they will have full albums man Please have the full master, Lightning and justice that would rock big time.. although songs from those albums would rock also.

  • mikkho14

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 3:57 am PT

    I wish One should be in the game, not Enter Sandman

  • cypher787

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:14 am PT

    they should have put a better metallica song on there like one or fade to black or master of puppets although it might be on gh3 perhaps

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