I Wanna Rock! Rock Band DLC Revealed

[Dr.Finger]

The latest salvo in the battle of the century (aka Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero III) was fired today when Harmonix announced the whos, whens and how much of the Rock Band downloadable content. The thre song packs songs will sell for 440 MS points, and individual songs going for 160 MS points (although individual future songs will range from 80 to 240, most will go for 160 points.) Exactly which songs will be available, and when? Glad you asked. The details,from Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6182927.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6182927). Week of November 20, 2007: (*--asterisk denotes a cover version)
Metallica Pack
"Ride the Lightning"--Metallica
"Blackened"--Metallica
"And Justice for All"--Metallica

The Police Pack
"Can't Stand Losing You"--The Police
"Synchronicity II"--The Police
"Roxanne"--The Police

Queens of the Stone Age Pack
"3's and 7's"--Queens of the Stone Age
"Little Sister"--Queens of the Stone Age
"Sick Sick Sick"--Queens of the Stone Age

Individual Tracks
"Fortunate Son" as made famous by Creedence Clearwater Revival *
"Juke Box Hero" as made famous by Foreigner *
"Bang a Gong (Get It On)" as made famous by T-Rex *
"My Sharona" as made famous by The Knack *
"Cherry Bomb" as made famous by The Runaways *
"Joker & The Thief"--Wolfmother

Week of November 27, 2007
David Bowie Pack
"Moonage Daydream"--David Bowie
"Heroes" as made famous by David Bowie *
"Queen Bitch" as made famous by David Bowie *

Week of December 4, 2007
Black Sabbath Pack
"N.I.B." as made famous by Black Sabbath *
"Sweet Leaf" as made famous by Black Sabbath *
"War Pigs" as made famous by Black Sabbath *

Week of December 11, 2007
Punk Pack:
"Rockaway Beach"--Ramones
"I Fought the Law"--The Clash
"Ever Fallen In Love" as made famous by Buzzcocks *

Week of December 18, 2007
Individual Tracks
"My Iron Lung"--Radiohead
"Buddy Holly"--Weezer
"Brass in Pocket" as made famous by Pretenders *

[Bahamut]

Bleh...generic choices.

[Shjinta]

Ugh still no fucking metal. yawn

[icronic]

Ugh still no fucking metal. yawn

Deja vu!

And yes, no metal, because we all know Metallica and Black Sabbath aren't metal... Right?

I just have to ask, with Metallica entered the picture in both GH3 and Rock Band, where in the fuck is Master of Puppets? It's the one song everyone wants, yet it's nowhere to be seen.

Actually now that I think of it, I'd kill for a Metallica insturmental pack consisting of Orion, To Live is To Die, and Call of Cthulu.

[RestlessAvenger]

Pricing confirmation is finally there.
1 to 3 bucks a track, that still sounds about right. Being able to get tracks individually is really nice as well.

I thought I remembered reading earlier that Who's Next would be available when the game released, that was months ago though, so that may have changed.

[dunefish]

"I Fought the Law"--The ClashYes! This is all I've been thinking about since I heard the Clash had "Should I Stay or Should I Go" on Rock Band.

[Bahamut]

Deja vu!

And yes, no metal, because we all know Metallica and Black Sabbath aren't metal... Right?

They're some of the most generic choices so far. The fact that they're being chosen over bands like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, or other giants such as Dream Theater or Manowar really makes me wonder who chooses the songs/bands.

[Cupelix]

Holy crap, My Sharona. Too bad its a cover. I'm all over that, even still.

And why no Master of Puppets? Maybe the fact that its 8 minutes long, and would be killer in terms of difficulty? Remember that on the whole, these tracks still need to balance out their difficulty with their fun.

[divinechaos]

They're some of the most generic choices so far. The fact that they're being chosen over bands like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, or other giants such as Dream Theater or Manowar really makes me wonder who chooses the songs/bands.

The 3 Metallica tracks are not generic at all. They are actually songs that only the real metallica fans would listen to not to mention that they could be played in a game like Rock Band. Can you imagine trying to play Dream Theater in that? It'll be impossible. I mean, it'll be ridiculous to try to emulate what Portnoy does on that little drum set. Only 'cause a band is good doesn't mean their songs would work in a game like this.

[Shjinta]

The 3 Metallica tracks are not generic at all. They are actually songs that only the real metallica fans would listen to not to mention that they could be played in a game like Rock Band. Can you imagine trying to play Dream Theater in that? It'll be impossible. I mean, it'll be ridiculous to try to emulate what Portnoy does on that little drum set. Only 'cause a band is good doesn't mean their songs would work in a game like this.

Wheres the Zeppelin!!!

[huntr]

the songs picked are going to have to be popular enough for the casual gamer to enjoy, definitely songs that people are going to recognize and play, youll probably see more hard stuff later

[H1PO]

A Queens of the Stone Age Pack? damn. thats awesome. That said, those are not their best songs, and I can tell that they are really pushing Era Vulgaris, even though its is not their best album (not saying its bad, just not the best).
Alos, the pricing is really good. $2 a song is a good deal. I was expecting more like $3. And the packs are a good deal. I approve.

[Evil Avatar]

What, no Stairway???

[divinechaos]

Wheres the Zeppelin!!!


Hey, it's not like they're gonna release all their awesome songs right outta the gate.

[Kemosabi0]

Even though I wouldn't buy many of these, I like the fact that I recognize more songs than I don't. I'm glad to see so much more of this 'gens' DLC organized by artist. Bowie ftw. Also glad to see more Radiohead.

[Wyrm]

I think every song I've seen for Rock Band looks pretty solid, and this is no different. It's another good holiday to be a gamer.

[inmostlight]

They're some of the most generic choices so far. The fact that they're being chosen over bands like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, or other giants such as Dream Theater or Manowar really makes me wonder who chooses the songs/bands.

You got a problem with Steven Van Zandt (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/steven-van-zandt-chairs-rock-band-music-advisory-board/) being the one who chooses them? And I think the point of Rock Band is that it's about the full song -- they've got to pick tracks that are fun for guitarists, drummers, and singers all at the same time. I think that's going to rule out a lot of (metal) songs that would really be better suited for Guitar Hero.

Personally, the list is okay for me, but it's gotta be impossible to please everybody. I'll probably get the David Bowie pack, maybe the punk one, and some of the individual songs. If I had my druthers it'd be full of older bands like Talking Heads and Joy Division, and newer ones like Bloc Party and Okkervil River. And maybe some Animal Collective although that'd be nigh impossible.

[Loganrapp]

You got a problem with Steven Van Zandt (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/steven-van-zandt-chairs-rock-band-music-advisory-board/) being the one who chooses them?

No kidding. Silvio will fuck you up.

[Dr.Finger]

What, no Stairway???I'm still waiting for an 'ina gotta davita' DLC

[DirtyChimp]

please, just give me one hardcore punk song! it's too bad that an entire genre is completely ignored in all these guitar rhythm games. maybe someday...

[Shodan2020]

Wow, there's a lot of REALLY good songs there, it's too bad that they couldn't get more of the original artists performing those tracks.

Juke Box Hero is one of my all time favorite songs. First song I ever karaoked. :)

[rhooke]

well, at least us sucker canucks will have a big long list of DLC to choose from when they finally print their french boxes or negotiate the moose-mounted RCMP patrols along the border or... whatever the reason for the Canadian delay is.

[OrangePulp]

A cover of creedence? Bleh. Covers of Fogerty usually don't go well; no one really sings like he does.

[anakin876]

well, at least us sucker canucks will have a big long list of DLC to choose from when they finally print their french boxes or negotiate the moose-mounted RCMP patrols along the border or... whatever the reason for the Canadian delay is.

Don't worry - Microsoft will see fit to continue the torture of the Canadian people and this DLC won't be available in Canada for another 6 months.

Mwha ha ha ha!

[Serapheem]

For the love of God can I PLEASE get 1.. JUST 1 BUCKCHERRY SONG PLEASE!!!!

[TrackZero]

I'm confused, I thought Rock Band was going to be releasing full albums on a weekly basis as well (they had already announced some)?

[mkelehan]

Good pricing. I was expecting it to be exactly the same as GH.

[Deadend]

What happened to Whos Next being the first DLC?

[T-Dawg]

A cover of creedence? Bleh. Covers of Fogerty usually don't go well; no one really sings like he does.

Um.... It's Rock Band. Someone in the room is supposed to be singing over it anyways.

[cp#]

Holy crap, My Sharona. Too bad its a cover. I'm all over that, even still.

And why no Master of Puppets? Maybe the fact that its 8 minutes long, and would be killer in terms of difficulty? Remember that on the whole, these tracks still need to balance out their difficulty with their fun.

... have you played One?

[J Arcane]

Goddamnit. I don't WANT to buy a fucking 360.

Fuck you sony and your lack of goddamn support for the PS2 HDD!

[IrishWhiskey]

Not bad in terms of pricing or selection. After trying out both GHIII and Rock Band, I have to give the edge to Rock Band, even though I don't like the strum switch on their guitar. The only thing that might keep me from getting it now, is boring or too easy fret patterns. Otherwise, this game looks like a must get.

Um.... It's Rock Band. Someone in the room is supposed to be singing over it anyways.Except most of the time they won't be. Even if you were constantly playing multiplayer with four people (or someone that actually likes the mic), you'll be still forced to endure either a cover, or painful singing. After trying out playing a full band together, its easy to tell that sometimes guitar hero isn't made better by bad karaoke.

[IrishWhiskey]

Songs I will definitely get:

"Ride the Lightning"
Queens of the Stone Age Pack
"Fortunate Son"
"Juke Box Hero"
"My Sharona"
"Joker & The Thief"
Black Sabbath Pack
Punk Pack
"Buddy Holly"

Thats 27 bucks right there already. On top of a 170 dollar game. And of course the Nirvana and Who's Next album's, as long as that's still happening.

[pomeroy]

please, just give me one hardcore punk song! it's too bad that an entire genre is completely ignored in all these guitar rhythm games. maybe someday...

Playing the same two frets over and over would get boring, though.

[SBKidJamX]

No My Iron Lung until mid-December? Lame, but at least it's coming.

[Chimpbot]

I just want Dethalbum.
That's all I want. If they never released another album after that, I'd be fine.

I just really, really, really want Dethalbum.

[Sandman]

COLOR OUR WORLD BLACKENED!!!!

[Aneurhythmia]

I just want Dethalbum.
That's all I want. If they never released another album after that, I'd be fine.

I just really, really, really want Dethalbum.
I'd imagine the drummer would get pretty bored emulating Gene Hoglan totally phoning it in.

[TheFlyingOrc]

A cover of creedence? Bleh. Covers of Fogerty usually don't go well; no one really sings like he does.
Well, YOU should be the one singing the lyrics.

Buddy Holly is like my favorite Weezer song, so that makes me happy.

[sprankton]

"Ever Fallen In Love" as made famous by Buzzcocks * ????

WHat the fuck! Of all the Buzzcocks songs!

Anyway, the Bowie pack is amazing.

[J Arcane]

Also, Rock Band needs more Cake.

[Shandor]

Also, Rock Band needs more Cake.

That would be awesome! :)

[Sandman]

The Cake is a lie.

[shunoshi]

I'm pleased with the DLC they're offering right off the bat. I'll actually be picking a few of these up. They really need to release Weezer's blue album in full. Wow, would that be sweet....

[Chameleo]

makes me wanna get a 360. >_< moneymoenymoeny mooooney.... MOOOONEY!

[EyesNoMore]

Regarding Master of Puppets, I've heard that Activision/Neversoft originally wanted MoP but the master track couldn't be found. :(

[Wyrm]

Also, Rock Band needs more Cake.

Rock Band needs roughly 300% more fucking Cake.

[LilEvilFish]

Some RATM would be nice.

[Sophism]

Just for everyone still wondering about the full albums, remember that this announcement was part of the "exclusive info for the top 3 in our Battle of the Bands" thing Harmonix did. Gamespot came in third, so they got this bit of knowledge. As seen here. (http://www.scorehero.com/botb/)

I would expect Gamespy or 1up to announce the albums sometime in the next couple of days.

[Mdot23]

Wheres the Zeppelin!!!

The thing that worries me about bands like Zeppelin and AC/DC is this: so many people want them included and their licensing is so hard to come by, that it doesn't make sense for them to release DLC packs for two of the biggest bands ever when they could easily use them as a "marketing ploy" to get people to buy an entire new game. I for one would pay a shitload for a Zeppelin pack and having one priced similarly to a Queens of the Stone Age pack (just an example, nothing against them) doesn't make much business sense, imo. I hope they don't realize this, though, and just throw some albums up there anyway :D

That said, if they do stick their original plan of this being a base, and the DLC being a platform for all that is ROCK BAND lol (like iTunes, etc), they could always just release them as packs, but at a higher price.

[Knite]

My wallet officially has given up with me this month.
It gave me a dirty look, threw up it's hands, and sighed in exasperation.

[MosBen]

I mentioned this in a previous thread, but I really wish they'd release song packs aimed at the specific instruments of the band. I appreciate that they want to make the songs lots of fun to play for a whole band, but you're not always going to be playing multiplayer and it'd be nice to have some songs where the guitar part (or the drums, or the vocals) was fun throughout the song.

[The Continental]

2/3 of the Bowie pack being covers makes me sad, but I'm buying it anyway.

[Kamalot]

Good stuff here with a wide range of tastes covered. I thought there would be no covers in Rock Band, all original tracks performed by the artists. Kinda disappointing to see so many covers. :(

[Bone]

The 3 Metallica tracks are not generic at all. They are actually songs that only the real metallica fans would listen to not to mention that they could be played in a game like Rock Band. I'm an old school Metallica fan, and SO glad they included these and NOT anything from the Black album or later.

[MJBuddy]

please, just give me one hardcore punk song! it's too bad that an entire genre is completely ignored in all these guitar rhythm games. maybe someday...

Technically they tend to love post-hardcore bands and bands that do/have fallen into the hardcore genre for at least one album.

[Chimpbot]

Good stuff here with a wide range of tastes covered. I thought there would be no covers in Rock Band, all original tracks performed by the artists. Kinda disappointing to see so many covers. :(

Yeah, but the covers are a good thing if you're half of the people that play these games. The original recordings aren't as much fun, since the covers are crafted purely with the video game in mind; as such, the fretting is that much better!


Seriously, though. Half of you guys like the covers, while have of you like the original recordings.

I'm going to make a poll.

[J Arcane]

Oh yeah. And some Vandals. Definitely some Vandals.

[sleepbox]

There's going to be some Grateful Dead stuff very soon...I am very excited about this.

[Zanzibar]

No kidding. Silvio will fuck you up.

Jesus H.P. Fucking Christ.

I cannot believe what a moron I am.

I don't have cable, so I've been watching all 6 seasons on DVD over the last six months, finished it last week.

And only now did I learn that Silvio was Van Zandt.

/shame

[Bahamut]

The 3 Metallica tracks are not generic at all. They are actually songs that only the real metallica fans would listen to not to mention that they could be played in a game like Rock Band. Can you imagine trying to play Dream Theater in that? It'll be impossible. I mean, it'll be ridiculous to try to emulate what Portnoy does on that little drum set. Only 'cause a band is good doesn't mean their songs would work in a game like this.

They are generic when those are the bands that are being chosen continually over others which qualify just fine. There are some Dream Theater songs that definitely could work (i.e. Images And Words album), as well as the other bands.

You got a problem with Steven Van Zandt (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/steven-van-zandt-chairs-rock-band-music-advisory-board/) being the one who chooses them? And I think the point of Rock Band is that it's about the full song -- they've got to pick tracks that are fun for guitarists, drummers, and singers all at the same time. I think that's going to rule out a lot of (metal) songs that would really be better suited for Guitar Hero.

I disagree - if anything, that would qualify a lot more metal songs, since many are involved on all levels, and definitely enjoyable to mimic (especially for anyone who is interested in challenging themselves). With some of the songs on the list, there's nothing that excuses this.

[Bone]

I guess we all have an idea of what is generic. Dream Theater to me is crap, I always hated them. Old Metallica was great- but everything from Black album on is crap to me.

[Android8675]

God that looks amazing, better stock up my xbox live points again.

[MosBen]

I'm willing to grant that Dream Theater isn't everyone's cup of tea, but generic? That I just don't understand. Anyway, three song expansion packs are the perfect way to do Dream Theater. In the retail game it might be too risky to put in a band like DT which probably wouldn't be much, if at all, cheaper than more well known bands but would appeal to a much smaller set of players. With DLC it's much easier to appeal to a niche group.

[Bone]

I'm willing to grant that Dream Theater isn't everyone's cup of tea, but generic? That I just don't understand.The same as me not understanding early Metallica as generic.

To me, Dream Theater was a generic progressive rock band. "Pull me under" would be my example (proving that to people who aren't fans of the band, the "generic" description comes from what they were exposed to via MTV or radio). Most people who call Metallica generic also never listened to anything they did pre-MTV (i.e., when they actually wrote good songs).

[MosBen]

Oh, I'm with you on early Metallica (though I never could get into most of Kill 'Em All). And though I don't think it's actually generic, "Pull Me Under" isn't the best example to draw from, just as "The Unforgiven II" isn't the best example to draw from for Metallica. "Pull Me Under" was the radio single from DT's shortlived MTV/radio exposure period. Most of the rest of their discography is anything but generic. Even within prog circles I don't think there's anybody that really sounds like Dream Theater. Sure, there are bands that you can tell are trying to ape them, but I haven't heard one that didn't sound a bit of a mess.

[Bone]

Oh, I'm with you on early Metallica (though I never could get into most of Kill 'Em All). And though I don't think it's actually generic, "Pull Me Under" isn't the best example to draw from, just as "The Unforgiven II" isn't the best example to draw from for Metallica.You made the point I was originally making. Generic is different for everyone- and as a non-fan of Dream Theater, my only exposure to them was "Pull me under" which to me sounded like generic hair-metal at the time it came out. And I know now that they were a lot more than that, but they just don't do it for me. So I'm not saying they *are* generic, but that people who know little of a band's work (and mostly from MTV or radio) are all going to call this or that band "generic".

[sleepbox]

not to ruin anyone's day but if you don't already have your copy of the special edition reserved, you're not gonna get it unless you pull off some midnight madness crap at Wal Mart or something. Now going for $250 @ amazon.com and $400+ on ebay.

glad I reserved mine and only have to pay $170

[MosBen]

Fair enough Bone, though I think there are several DT songs that would be tons of fun for Rock Band.

And Sleepbox, I don't normally reserve games, but I'm really glad I reserved this one.

[anakin876]

Good stuff here with a wide range of tastes covered. I thought there would be no covers in Rock Band, all original tracks performed by the artists. Kinda disappointing to see so many covers. :(

Also - if you had to choose between Covers and not having the song at all would you choose not having the song? For at least some of these songs that was the choice. So far there's only one cover that I would rather they just took the song out instead of using the cover - and that's the RATM cover in GH2. It was ugly.

[Bone]

Fair enough Bone, though I think there are several DT songs that would be tons of fun for Rock Band.I'm with you there. I've enjoyed playing plenty of songs in GH1 and 2 that I never would have enjoyed otherwise. I'm a guitarist, and so I really appreciate all music, even that which I don't normally listen to.

[Bahamut]

The same as me not understanding early Metallica as generic.

I wasn't calling early Metallica generic - I was calling the choice generic - in America, for some odd reason the most chosen bands to represent metal are Metallica and Black Sabbath. As historic as they are in the early developments of metal, they definitely aren't the best representatives of it, and it still boggles my mind why they're heralded as such when most metalheads would prefer other bands in the genre (and subgenres).

[MosBen]

Well, fans of any genre might *prefer* less popular selections, but there's a degree to which Harmonix has to balance the wants of the genre fans with choosing something most players can have fun with. Metallica or Sabbath might not be your choice, but I think you'd be hard pressed to prove to me that most people aren't happy to see those songs in the game.

And like I said, I'm hoping for other song packs to appeal to my more niche tastes.

[EL CABONG]

I am a big Bowie fan. The songs listed are alright but not really sure I'd buy them. There are alot of better songs that Bowie has done.

[Kamalot]

I'm all over The Police pack. Oh hells yes.

[Binkley]

The Police pack by far seems to be best value...

[pomeroy]

not to ruin anyone's day but if you don't already have your copy of the special edition reserved, you're not gonna get it unless you pull off some midnight madness crap at Wal Mart or something. Now going for $250 @ amazon.com and $400+ on ebay.

glad I reserved mine and only have to pay $170

OH NOES. I MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT TO AFFORD THIS OVERPRICED "GAME".

*shrug*

[MosBen]

Your use of scare quotes seems to imply that Rock Band doesn't qualify as a game. I'm interested how you've reasoned that out. And obviously, if you don't care about Rock Band you won't mind waiting.

[Danj0r]

I disagree - if anything, that would qualify a lot more metal songs, since many are involved on all levels, and definitely enjoyable to mimic (especially for anyone who is interested in challenging themselves). With some of the songs on the list, there's nothing that excuses this.

While I'm pretty happy with the song selection, I do support the sentiment that there should be some more metal, if only because it would be hell of a lot of fun to do some growling vox. No karaoke game that Im aware of has had anything like that and I was hoping Rock Band would change that.

Guitar Hero has had both Pantera and Lamb of God as well as a few screamy metalcore bands, so what gives here? Cmon Harmonix, at least give us some Opeth or something.

[Shjinta]

IGn has the review on the 360... 9.4 basically play with 2 or more people, the guitar bars is pretty damn easy, So people like me who can plow through expert are going to destroy this game. The reviewer stresses that its not worth the purchase if you just plan to sing or play just guitar. The guitar that comes with it is apparently fucking horribly designed, and a piece of crap.

[Gil]

The reviewer stresses that its not worth the purchase if you just plan to sing or play just guitar. The guitar that comes with it is apparently fucking horribly designed, and a piece of crap.


Except that's not what they said.

To quote IGN...

"For my money, I'll take the Guitar Hero III wireless Les Paul controller over the Rock Band guitar. The new switch to adjust the effects during solos in Rock Band is a nice gimmick, but a gimmick nonetheless. The same goes for the added fret buttons at the top of the neck. The Rock Band Fender model is entirely playable, though it will take some getting used to if you've played many hours on another controller."

Entirely playable but not his perferred guitar controller is a lot different then "fucking horribly designed, and a piece of crap."

Personally, I disagree with the IGN reviewer on this. I do have some issues with the Rock Band guitar, but personally, I find it perferable to the pointy mess that was the Guitar Hero 2 X-Plorer controller at the very least.

[Kamalot]

I very much enjoy the Guitar Controller for Rock Band. It is a matter of preference.