Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, MTV Games and rock icons Metallica today announced a deal that will showcase the depth of the band’s music in the highly anticipated videogame Rock Band. The incomparable metal song “Enter Sandman” will ship on the game’s disc this holiday season.
“Metallica is one of the best loved bands in the world and their albums redefined hard rock and metal. Its one of the bands we had to bring to the Rock Band experience,” said Alex Rigopulos, Harmonix cofounder and CEO. “Rock Band will allow gamers to jam with the guys through their long, successful career, from young, raw talent to mega stars, playing the hard-rocking sounds that the band is known for.”
Distributed by Electronic Arts, Rock Band is a new platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before. Containing four music games in one, Rock Band challenges rockers to master a song’s lead/bass guitar, drums, and vocals, or play the song with other gamers in a cooperative band experience. Built on unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and include many of the master recordings from the greatest songs and artists of all time.
Best known for their thrash-metal sounds, Metallica have sold more than 95 million copies of their 11 albums over a 26-year career. The range of Metallica songs that will be available to Rock Band players will allow them to play along as the history of the genre unfolds.
“Enter Sandman,” the first single from the band’s self-titled 1991 album and one of Metallica’s best known tracks, is a staple of their live concerts. VH1 ranked it as the 22nd in its “40 Greatest Metal Songs of All Time.”
“Our goal was to bring a deep musical experience to Rock Band by providing not just one song by a player’s favorite artist, but a carefully chosen career-spanning array,” stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV’s senior vice president, Audio, Home Video and Games. “Metallica has never been afraid to let their fans get closer, and now those fans will be able to inhabit this incredible music in a completely new way.”
FIRST 16 OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED ROCK BAND SONGS
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
1970s
The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"
Mountain "Mississippi Queen"*
David Bowie "Suffragette City"
Black Sabbath "Paranoid"*
Blue Öyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"
The Ramones "Rockaway Beach”
1980s
Rush "Tom Sawyer"*
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"
1990s
Nirvana "In Bloom"
Stone Temple Pilots "Vasoline"
Weezer "Say It Ain't So"
Foo Fighters “Learn to Fly”
Metallica “Enter Sandman”
2000s
The Hives "Main Offender"
The Strokes "Reptilia"
Queens of the Stone Age "Go With the Flow"
* Indicates a cover of the original song. All others songs are original master recordings.
Rock Band is slated for release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this Holiday 2007. For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit rockband.com and harmonixmusic.com.
Since 1980, Guitar World has brought guitarists the best in-depth interviews with great players, along with exclusive lessons, informative gear reviews and insightful columns that help guitarists grow and excel on their instrument. Whether you want to learn the techniques employed by your guitar heroes, read about their latest projects or simply need to know which guitar is the right one to buy, Guitar World is your guide.
