AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack Hands-On

We're back in black as we check out the latest member of Harmonix's Rock Band family for those about to rock.

Ever since music games first rose to popularity, rabid rock fans have been asking when legendary Australian band AC/DC would show up to the party. Last month, they finally made their video game debut in Rock Band 2 on the Xbox 360 with "Let There Be Rock," and they're gearing up to make their big comeback in AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack next month. We recently got the chance to ride shotgun on the highway to hell with this expansion pack and were thunderstruck.

As can be inferred from the title of this track pack, AC/DC LIVE features 18 completely remastered recordings from the best of the eponymous band's live performances. These songs are listed according to the order in which they were played at the famous Castle Donington show--not in ascending difficulty, as they would be in Rock Band--and so we were a bit surprised when we jumped into the first song on the track list, "Thunderstruck," and were greeted by some furious fretwork. "Say It Ain't So" it is not.

As a completely standalone product, AC/DC LIVE features most of what you've come to expect from a Rock Band title, such as leaderboards, Xbox 360 Achievements (unfortunately, it does not feature PlayStation 3 trophies), and high voltage music action. In addition, all 18 tracks can be exported from the disc and into Rock Band or Rock Band 2, where they will be treated like any other bit of DLC. That said, there are currently no plans to release these songs over Xbox Live Arcade or the PlayStation Network as it will be sold exclusively in disc form at Walmart and Sam's Club.

AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack is the first band-centric expansion pack to be released and Harmonix has indicated that it may not be the last. It will be available in the US on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PS2 on November 2 and on the Wii November 16. For more information, be sure to watch the video interview below and check back later for our final word.