Kurt Cobain to Make His Video Game Debut This September in Guitar Hero 5 Nivana album Never mind tracks Smells Like Teen Spirit & Lithium - with video

In-Game Model of Former Lead Singer and Guitarist of Nirvana to Perform Two Hit Singles from the Ten-Times Platinum Album Never mind in Guitar Hero 5.

Remembered as one of the most iconic artists in the history of alternative rock, Kurt Cobain's enduring legacy continues with his video game debut as one of five exclusive in-game artists in Guitar Hero 5.



The former lead singer and guitarist of Nirvana will be featured as a playable character, performing two of the band's hit singles from their 1991 genre-defining album Nevermind: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and a special, previously unreleased live recording of "Lithium." The band's breakthrough hit and one of the greatest rock songs of all time, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" helped define the 1990s and will speak to a whole new generation in Guitar Hero 5.

"Kurt Cobain is one of the most recognizable frontmen in rock 'n' roll history and it's an honor to have two of Nirvana's masterpieces included in Guitar Hero 5," said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Activision. "This is the first time the original recording of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' has ever been licensed in an entertainment property and we're thrilled to offer Guitar Hero fans exclusive access to the unreleased live version of 'Lithium.'"

Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to date comprised of master tracks from more than 80 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts; including Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut. Among the first-time-ever features of Guitar Hero 5 are: Party Play, where players can jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly; RockFest, a comprehensive competitive experience available featuring five new head-to-head modes playable online or in your living room; and the ability to play the entire set-list from the first time the game is turned on.

Guitar Hero 5 refines the player experience, enhances the art style and redesigns core features such as GH Music Studio, making it the most accessible, fun-to-play and authentic experience for seasoned music gamers as well as first-time players. New innovations such as Band Moments, where bands are rewarded for hitting special note streams together and song challenges where gamers are tasked to play through a song a specific way, add a new competitive layer of excitement and accomplishment to the music rhythm genre.

Published by Activision, Guitar Hero 5 is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and by Vicarious Visions for the Nintendo Wii system from Nintendo. Budcat is developing Guitar Hero 5 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The game is rated "T" for "Teen" by the ESRB.

Johnny Cash to make video game debut in Guitar Hero 5 video game!

Multiple Grammy Award winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash will be introduced to an all new audience this autumn as he makes his video game debut as a playable character in the highly anticipated Guitar Hero 5. Cash’s virtual image will live on as Guitar Hero players can rock out on any instrument controller to “Ring Of Fire,” and even unlock the ability to strum and sing along as the “Man in Black” himself in the all-new Electric Honky Tonk Bar venue. Cash joins the ever-growing list of playable in-game artists announced for Guitar Hero 5.

This September, living room legends will rock any way they want in Guitar Hero 5. The entire set list is at players’ finger tips from the start, featuring genre-defining hits from more than 80 of the biggest rock artists and bands of all time, including The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Vampire Weekend, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut.

Players take complete control as Guitar Hero 5 allows gamers to personalise and customise how they experience music by being able to play with any in-game instrument combination - multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, in any game mode. With the game’s all-new Party Play Mode, getting the band back together has never been easier. Players can now jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly, without interrupting their jam session.

Elevating the Guitar Hero series to new heights with unmatched social gamezplay, an enhanced style, new in-game artists and more rock legends, Guitar Hero 5 features new surprises and challenges that will fire-up long-time fret board fanatics and create a new generation of addicts.

Scheduled to hit store shelves in September, Guitar Hero 5 will be released for the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2. For more information about Guitar Hero 5, please visit gh5.guitarhero.com.

Xbox confirm Guitar Hero 5 avatars play along with your heroes

Activision has confirmed that Xbox avatars will be playable in its forthcoming Guitar Hero 5 - the latest in the long series of music games. It means that you'll be able to rock out alongside Lars Ümlaüt and Judy Nails.

You'll also be able to customise that avatar further in Guitar Hero 5's "create-a-rocker" mode, which will let you add clothing and accessories that are a little more rock'n'roll than the Xbox defaults.

As previously reported on Pocket-lint, Guitar Hero 5 has 85 tracks from more than 80 bands, 25 of whom have never been in a music game before. You'll also be able to combine any number of guitarists, bassists, vocalists and drummers to match whatever instruments you have.

Source: PocketLint

14-year-old sets three Guitar hero World records...

14-year-old sets three new Guitar Hero records - Danny “Phenom” Johnson

Three months after beating the record for the Highest Score in Guitar Hero III, Danny “Phenom” Johnson set three new gaming Guinness World Records on Guitar Hero at the Book Expo America tradeshow on Saturday, May 30th.

Danny, known for his impeccable manners and modest disposition - attributes which his father says come from his tight knit family who accompany him everywhere - has been eager to break additional Guinness World Records ever since tasting record breaking victory in February.

The new Guinness World Records set included the Longest Note Streak on Guitar Hero, with a score of 3,722 and 100% on the track “Through the Fire and the Flames” during which he also beat his previously held record for the Highest Score For a Single Track on Guitar Hero III (XBOX 360) with a score of 985,206.

In addition, Danny set a new record for the Highest Score on Guitar Hero: Metallica (Activision, 2009) with a score of 1,009,056 while playing the track 'Mercyful Fate' on PS3 with Dreamgear’s Warbeast guitar.

“I don’t think there is anything that can stop this kid, his talents are infinite” his father and manager, Scott Johnson said at the event. “Danny’s motto is that there will always be somebody better which drives him to keep improving his abilities.”

A great gift for Father’s Day, the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2009 contains a comprehensive guide to gaming, featuring the latest gaming records, the history behind gaming, and interviews with key figures in the industry.

Guitar Hero on tour Modern Hits full set list and video

The anytime, anywhere shredfest continues as the curtain is lifted to reveal the entire 28-song set list in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits for the Nintendo DS.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits explodes onto store shelves packaged with the Guitar Grip peripheral and pick stylus this summer, and will include the following master recordings from the past decade:



• 12 Stones - “Adrenalin”
• AFI - “Miss Murder”
• Angels & Airwaves - “Call to Arms”
• Atreyu - “Falling Down”
• Black Tide - “Shockwave”
• Coldplay - “Violet Hill”
• Endeverafter - “I Wanna Be Your Man”
• Evanescence - “Sweet Sacrifice”
• Fall Out Boy - “This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race”
• Finger Eleven - “Paralyzer”
• Foo Fighters - “All My Life”
• Franz Ferdinand - “The Fallen”
• Kaiser Chiefs - “Ruby”
• Lenny Kravitz - “Where Are We Runnin'?”
• Modest Mouse - “Dashboard”
• Phantom Planet - “Do The Panic”
• Sum 41 - “Still Waiting”
• Tenacious D - “The Metal”
• The Bravery - “Unconditional”
• The Donnas - “What Do I Have to Do”
• The Duke Spirit - “Lassoo”
• The Fratellis - “Chelsea Dagger”
• The Kooks - “Always Where I Need to Be”
• The Offspring - “Half-Truism”
• The Strokes - “Reptilia”
• Weezer - “Everybody Get Dangerous”
• Wolfmother - “Dimension”
• Yellowcard - “Lights and Sounds”



Handheld guitar gods can now choose how they raise-up their band from the underground music scene to worldwide rock stardom in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits. Featuring a set list comprised of more than 25 master tracks from influential artists including Coldplay, Fall Out Boy and Weezer, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits expands on the innovative Guitar Hero gameplay on the Nintendo DS by introducing an all-new Fan Request system that challenges players to jam like never before. Fret board fanatics can once again unleash their inner rock stars anytime, anywhere as they hone their shredding skills and jam to face-melting modern rock tracks from the last five years in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits is developed by Vicarious Visions and will be available exclusively for Nintendo DS this summer.

Activision Announces Complete List of Artists And Bands In Guitar Hero 5

The Most Diversified Set List To Date, Comprised Of Songs From Some Of The Hottest Bands Of Today To All-Time Favourite Classic Anthems, With Music From A Variety Of Genres

With some of the biggest rock artists and most prolific bands of all time, Guitar Hero 5 is tuned for the ultimate shredfest as players prepare to join together and rock any way they want, with any combination of instrument controllers. Guitar Hero 5 features the most diversified set list to date, comprised of songs from some of the hottest bands of today to all-time favourite classic anthems, with music from a variety of genres including hard rock, classic rock, indie rock, metal and more.

Get ready to shred, drum and wail with any in-game instrument combination as Guitar Hero announces the full list of artists and bands that will be offering up some of their greatest works to living room rockers everywhere.

The complete list of artists and bands to be featured in Guitar Hero 5 when it hits store shelves this autumn will include songs from:

• 3 Doors Down
• A Perfect Circle
• AFI
• Attack! Attack!
• Band Of Horses
• Beastie Boys
• Beck
• Billy Idol
• Billy Squier
• Blink-182
• Blur
• Bob Dylan
• Bon Jovi
• Brand New
• Bush
• Children of Bodom
• Coldplay
• Darker My Love
• Darkest Hour
• David Bowie
• Deep Purple
• Dire Straits
• Duran Duran
• Eagles Of Death Metal
• Elliott Smith
• Elton John
• Face to Face
• Garbage
• Gorillaz
• Gov’t Mule
• Grand Funk Railroad
• Iggy Pop
• Iron Maiden
• Jeff Beck
• Jimmy Eat World
• John Mellencamp
• Johnny Cash
• Kaiser Chiefs
• King Crimson
• Kings Of Leon
• Kiss
• Love and Rockets
• Megadeth
• Mötley Crüe
• Muse
• My Morning Jacket
• Nirvana
• No Doubt
• Peter Frampton
• Public Enemy Featuring Zakk Wylde
• Queen & David Bowie
• Queens Of The Stone Age
• Rammstein
• Rose Hill Drive
• Rush
• Santana
• Scars On Broadway
• Screaming Trees
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Sonic Youth
• Spacehog
• Stevie Wonder
• Sublime
• Sunny Day Real Estate
• T. Rex
• The Bronx
• The Derek Trucks Band
• The Duke Spirit
• The Killers
• The Police
• The Raconteurs
• The Rolling Stones
• The Sword
• The White Stripes
• Thin Lizzy
• Thrice
• Tom Petty
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
• TV On The Radio
• Vampire Weekend
• Weezer
• Wild Cherry
• Wolfmother

Published by Activision, Guitar Hero 5 is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and by Vicarious Visions for the Wii system from Nintendo. Budcat is developing Guitar Hero 5 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Use 'gamezplay' in your games searches for the latest info - it works

Guitar Hero Metallica out in Europe

Experience the Intensity of Musical Icons Metallica and Over 20 Additional Rockin' Bands in the Newest Entry to the Guitar Hero Franchise

Guitar Hero Metallica, the latest entry in Activision Guitar Hero franchise, will be available at retail outlets across Europe and Australia on May 22, 2009 and in the UK on May 29, 2009.

At launch, a European-exclusive Guitar Hero Metallica Solo Guitar Game bundle, which includes an exclusive guitar controller faceplate featuring the iconic Metallica skull motif, a copy of the critically-acclaimed game and a wireless guitar controller, will be available to fans.

Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience Metallica’s intensity and skill while shredding on the guitar controller, ripping on the drum kit controller and wailing on the mic to a set list of over 45 explosive hits from both the GRAMMY Award-winning band and more than 20 popular artists selected by Metallica, such as Alice In Chains, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Foo Fighters, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Queen. As one of the greatest metal bands of all time, players perform in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales. The all-new Expert+ drum difficulty setting, available for all platform versions of Guitar Hero Metallica, features two bass drum kick pedals, offering an authentic Metallica experience with note-for-note tracking, and Metallifacts, which, after nailing a song, lets players enjoy a virtual concert filled with on-screen facts and trivia about the song being played.

Guitar Hero Metallica will be available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems and the Nintendo Wii home video game system from Nintendo. All platforms will be available as stand-alone software or as the European-exclusive Guitar Hero Metallica Solo Guitar Game bundle. The game is rated 12+ by the BBFC.

Full set list for guitar Heroe on Tour - Modern Hits...

The anytime, anywhere shredfest continues as the curtain is lifted to reveal the entire 28-song set list in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits for the Nintendo DS.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits explodes onto store shelves packaged with the Guitar Grip peripheral and pick stylus this summer, and will include the following master recordings from the past decade:

• 12 Stones - “Adrenalin”
• AFI - “Miss Murder”
• Angels & Airwaves - “Call to Arms”
• Atreyu - “Falling Down”
• Black Tide - “Shockwave”
• Coldplay - “Violet Hill”
• Endeverafter - “I Wanna Be Your Man”
• Evanescence - “Sweet Sacrifice”
• Fall Out Boy - “This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race”
• Finger Eleven - “Paralyzer”
• Foo Fighters - “All My Life”
• Franz Ferdinand - “The Fallen”
• Kaiser Chiefs - “Ruby”
• Lenny Kravitz - “Where Are We Runnin'?”
• Modest Mouse - “Dashboard”
• Phantom Planet - “Do The Panic”
• Sum 41 - “Still Waiting”
• Tenacious D - “The Metal”
• The Bravery - “Unconditional”
• The Donnas - “What Do I Have to Do”
• The Duke Spirit - “Lassoo”
• The Fratellis - “Chelsea Dagger”
• The Kooks - “Always Where I Need to Be”
• The Offspring - “Half-Truism”
• The Strokes - “Reptilia”
• Weezer - “Everybody Get Dangerous”
• Wolfmother - “Dimension”
• Yellowcard - “Lights and Sounds”

Handheld guitar gods can now choose how they raise-up their band from the underground music scene to worldwide rock stardom in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits. Featuring a set list comprised of more than 25 master tracks from influential artists including Coldplay, Fall Out Boy and Weezer, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits expands on the innovative Guitar Hero gameplay on the Nintendo DS by introducing an all-new Fan Request system that challenges players to jam like never before. Fret board fanatics can once again unleash their inner rock stars anytime, anywhere as they hone their shredding skills and jam to face-melting modern rock tracks from the last five years in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits.

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits is developed by Vicarious Visions and will be available exclusively for Nintendo DS this summer.

Guitar Hero Metallica European-exclusive Solo Guitar Game bundle

Guitar Heroes Across Europe Will "Ride the Lightning" in May

In celebration of the upcoming release of Guitar Hero Metallica in Europe, Activision today announced a European-exclusive Guitar Hero Metallica Solo Guitar Game bundle which includes an exclusive guitar controller faceplate featuring the iconic Metallica skull motif, a copy of the critically acclaimed game and a wireless guitar controller.

Guitar Hero Metallica allows fans to experience the intensity and skill of world-renowned metal and rock band, Metallica, while shredding on the guitar controller, ripping on the drum kit controller and wailing on the mic to a set list of over 45 explosive hits from both Metallica’s illustrious career and a more than 20 popular artists selected by the band. Guitar Hero Metallica allows fans to perform in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales. The all-new Expert+ drum difficulty setting, available for all platform versions of the game, features two bass drum kick pedals, offering an authentic Metallica experience with note-for-note tracking, and Metallifacts, which, after nailing a song, lets players enjoy a virtual concert filled with on-screen facts and trivia about the song being played.

Guitar Hero Metallica is set to be released across Europe and in Australia on May 22, 2009 and in the UK on May 29, 2009 for the Nintendo Wii home video game system from Nintendo, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems.

Guitar Hero sales pass $2 billion with Guitar Hero 5 confirmed (surprise!)

Activision has officially confirmed earlier reports that it will expand its 2009 rhythm game line-up this Fall with Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero, and Band Hero. Additionally, the publisher has announced that the franchise has reached a USD 2 billion milestone, and is only the third gaming franchise to do so.

According to a press release issued today, Guitar Hero 5 "gives players an unprecedented level of control over the way they play the game with the ability to drop in and out of songs and change band members, instruments and difficulty levels on the fly." Band Hero meanwhile is an attempt to expand the franchise to a younger audience, and DJ Hero, which has seen some court attention recently, introduces a brand new turntable peripheral. All three titles are slated for fall of this year.

During a conference call discussing the publisher's quarterly financial results, Activision expanded on its music genre strategy, revealing that the Guitar Hero franchise has now generated USD 2 billion in sales.

In response to a question by Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel, Activision CEO Robert Kotick said "We feel very good about our holiday slate."

"The Guitar Hero franchise in fact, this quarter, surpassed the USD 2 billion dollar mark, and was only the third franchise in the history of gaming, besides Super Mario and Madden, to ever achieve that milestone," he continued. "So, it's got a strong foundation."

In regards to music titles from other publishers, Kotick said "We're much more focused on our own business than the overall market, because we can't really control what happens with the other titles, such as Rock Band, where we've seen a rather precipitous fall-off of that franchise."

Kotick also said that Guitar Hero Metallica is "off to a good start," and that the publisher will be sponsoring the band's European tour next month - just in time for the game's European launch. "We think that's going to be a very positive addition," he said.

"And then the triad that we've got in the holiday, between Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero and Band Hero, we think will not only serve the current user base, but also provide significant additional expansion opportunities to new genres, so that we can start tapping into the significant number of households that are a part of the 170 million install base of hardware, but haven't yet engaged with Guitar Hero."

"So, I think we're feeling that we've got a very strong programme in the year ahead, and we're bullish on the music category."

In response to an additional question from Piper-Jaffray analyst Anthony Gikas, Activision CFO Thomas Tippl spoke briefly on the profit margins for the Guitar Hero franchise, saying that "margins have been compressed as a result of the hardware cost related particularly to the band products," but that the publisher expects profit margins on the franchise to improve later this year.

"What we expect to see is that margins will improve as we get into the latter part of the year, where we will have new hardware out that is not only better and innovative, but also cost-optimised," he continued, also adding that another factor for higher margins will be a heightened focus on software over hardware, which has significantly lower manufacturing and freight costs.

Activision releasing three new titles this fall – DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero

Activision is set to once again revolutionise how consumers interact with music by releasing three new titles this fall – DJ Hero, Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero – that will redefine the company’s popular music gaming platform. The slate will transform the way consumers enjoy and engage with music by offering the largest variety of music genres, innovative technologies and new social entertainment experiences for existing fans and millions of new consumers who previously have not joined Guitar Hero’s global community of fans.

• The company’s groundbreaking DJ Hero expands Guitar Hero’s signature social gaming to all-new consumers with the addition of diverse music genres including hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance. Introducing an all-new innovative turntable controller, DJ Hero transforms players into DJs who rule the club scene by creating original mixes of popular songs and music from the world’s most exciting artists and DJs.

• Letting fans continue to fulfill their rock fantasies, Guitar Hero 5 features the hottest rock and roll artists today as well as classic rock bands and gives players an unprecedented level of control over the way they play the game with the ability to drop in and out of songs and change band members, instruments and difficulty levels on the fly.

• The franchises’ first E10+ rated console game, Band Hero delivers an exciting music collection featuring top-40 hits designed to expand the experience to a new genre and appeal to a broad family audience who can play together on the guitar, drums, bass and microphone. The game builds upon Guitar Hero’s easy-to-play, difficult-to-master signature gameplay and allows novice players and expert fans to join together on their favourite songs.

“Guitar Hero has made music social again and has become one of the most popular ways to experience music,” said Dan Rosensweig, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Guitar Hero franchise. “Today’s fans enjoy a variety of music and are looking for more ways to engage with their favourite songs, artists and fellow fans. These games will let them listen, participate and socialize with music in ways they have never been able to before.”

Guitar Hero video game Greatest Hits Polling Result

Activision reveals the tracks from the first Guitar Hero game that will appear in Greatest Hits full band experience

Last week, Guitar Hero fans were tasked with deciding the order in which songs will be revealed for Guitar Hero Greatest Hits. The votes tallied in the first week established the original Guitar Hero game as the clear victor.

The voting continues this week, and fans can now cast their votes online at GreatestHits.GuitarHero.com to determine which of the remaining genre-defining titles, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, they would like to have the songs revealed from next.

Guitar Hero Greatest Hits explodes onto store shelves on 26 June, 2009 with 48 master tracks now playable for the entire band, including the following tracks from the first Guitar Hero game:

Guitar Hero

Pantera - “Cowboys From Hell (Live)”
Franz Ferdinand - “Take Me Out”
Queens Of The Stone Age - “No One Knows”
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - “I Love Rock N’ Roll”
Boston - “More Than A Feeling”
White Zombie - “Thunder Kiss '65”
Blue Öyster Cult - “Godzilla”
Helmet - “Unsung (Live)”
Queen - “Killer Queen”
Incubus - “Stellar”
Ozzy Osbourne - “Bark At The Moon”
Deep Purple - “Smoke On The Water”
The Donnas - “Take It Off”
The Exies - “Hey You”

Turn down the lights, crank up the amps and prepare to command center stage as some of the most famous AND infamous tracks from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock step into the spotlight in the most epic, full band jam session to-date - Guitar Hero Greatest Hits. The #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2008 presents the best of the best to music video game aficionados so they can join together for guitar, bass, drums and vocals in-game and rock to master tracks of their favorite Guitar Hero music.

Featuring 48 master recordings, Guitar Hero Greatest Hits delivers exciting online and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. Players’ rock n’ roll fantasies turn to realities as they create their rocker, compose original music and share it with the world through the innovative Music Studio, GHTunesSM and robust Rock Star Creator gameplay modes first introduced in Guitar Hero® World Tour.

Guitar Hero fans can now cast their votes online

Online voting at GreatestHits.GuitarHero.com Begins Today

Guitar Hero fans can now cast their votes online at GreatestHits.GuitarHero.com to determine the order in which songs will be revealed for Activision Guitar Hero Greatest Hits.

Guitar Hero Greatest Hits takes the most exciting, recognisable and fun to play music from genre-defining titles Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, which were previously available for guitar-only in-game play, and delivers them as a compelling and dynamic full band experience.

Starting today, music and video game fans alike can visit GreatestHits.GuitarHero.com to cast their votes for which previous Guitar Hero game they would like the set list unveiled from first. Each week, a portion of the Guitar Hero Greatest Hits set list will be revealed based on which prior game captures the most votes.

Guitar Hero Greatest Hits feature the most memorable songs from Guitar Hero games together in one epic set list, including these tracks:
• Guitar Hero

o “Killer Queen” – Queen
o “I Love Rock N Roll” – Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
o “Bark At The Moon” – Ozzy Osbourne

• Guitar Hero II

o “Them Bones” – Alice in Chains
o “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against The Machine
o “Message In A Bottle” – The Police
o “Carry On Wayward Son” – Kansas
o “Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd

• Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s

o “I Wanna Rock” – Twisted Sister
o “Nothin But A Good Time” – Poison

• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

o “Barracuda” – Heart
o “Through the Fire and Flames” – DragonForce

Turn down the lights, crank up the amps and prepare to command center stage as some of the most famous AND infamous tracks from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock step into the spotlight in the most epic, full band jam session to-date - Guitar Hero Greatest Hits. The No1 best-selling video game franchise of 2008 presents the best of the best to music video game aficionados so they can join together for guitar, bass, drums and vocals in-game and rock to master tracks of their favorite Guitar Hero music.

Featuring 48 master recordings, Guitar Hero Greatest Hits delivers exciting online and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. Players’ rock n’ roll fantasies turn to realities as they create their rocker, compose original music and share it with the world through the innovative Music Studio, GHTunes and robust Rock Star Creator gameplay modes first introduced in Guitar Hero World Tour.

We Will Rock You and Guitar Hero World Tour join forces

The critically acclaimed and longest-running musical at London’s prestigious Dominion Theatre, We Will Rock You - based on the music of Queen - has partnered with Activision Guitar Hero World Tour to offer patrons the ultimate night of rock.

Before and after select performances of the hit musical, which embarks on its first UK tour this month, people will be able to rock with Guitar Hero World Tour to three of Queen’s hit tracks, “C-Lebrity,” “Fat Bottom Girls” and “We Are The Champions,” as well as the entire 86-song on-disc set list, with prizes awarded to the best virtual performers. The game will also be featured at regional We Will Rock You preview and launch events, where members of the cast can mingle with press and VIPs.

“We’re thrilled to have Guitar Hero World Tour hitting the road with the extremely popular musical, We Will Rock You,” says Ian McClellan, Senior Brand Manager, Red Octane. “As one of the driving forces in music and video games today, Guitar Hero® is the perfect offering which enables fans to experience Queen’s, plus a bevy of other rock ‘n’ roll giant’s, music in an all new way.”

We Will Rock You played at the Palace Theatre, Manchester between 21st March and 26th March; and will run at the Sunderland Empire between 10th June and 27th June; the Birmingham Hippodrome 1st July and 5th September; the Bristol Hippodrome between 16th September to 31st October; and the Edinburgh Playhouse between 4th November and 9th January 2010. Please see regional box offices for ticket availability.

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless controllers with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online. The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a wired microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Music creators are also able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

Guitar Hero World Tour is now available for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. The game is rated 12+ by the BBFC.

Guitar Hero Sponsors Sonisphere Festivals headlined by Metallica

Guitar Hero Metallica to be Playable at SONISPHERE Festivals and Select Metallica Concert Venues In Advance Of Its Release In Europe

Activision announce its sponsorship of this year’s European Sonisphere Festivals, which are headlined by Metallica, and will be taking place in Holland, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Finland, before finishing off the season with a two day festival in the UK.
At the six festivals and a host of Metallica’s European gigs, fans itching to get a taste of Guitar Hero Metallica will have the opportunity to hone their skills and shred, drum and wail on a demo of the band’s highly-anticipated game before the European release in May 2009.

“Guitar Hero Metallica offers fans a unique opportunity to live out their dreams of stardom playing as one of the greatest bands of all time to a set list of over 45 explosive rock and metal tracks,” says Siân Evans, European marketing manager, RedOctane. “To be able to play as Metallica and experience their intensity and musical skill in a video game and then watch them perform live, will be an awesomely, unique event for any music fan.”

Fans attending Metallica’s European tour dates will have the chance to win exclusive tickets to the Sonisphere Festivals and get their hands on signed Guitar Hero Metallica merchandise. Each tour date will also include Guitar Hero Metallica pre-show events where fans will have the opportunity to rock on specially made Guitar Hero® stages. At some of the concert venues, there will also be a variety of free limited-edition Guitar Hero Metallica prizes up for grabs, as well as after-parties featuring live DJs, on-stage guitar duel challenges for prizes and celebrity face-offs. A lucky handful of skilled players and performers will be able to win the chance to play the game on the Sonisphere Festival main stage in front of tens of thousands of fans and two fans from each country will win the ultimate prize, a chance to meet Metallica.



“Ride the Lightning” with musical icons Metallica and 21 other rockin’ acts in an all new Guitar Hero experience – Guitar Hero Metallica. Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience the intensity and skill of one of the greatest bands of all time. Shred on the guitar controller, rip on the drum kit controller and wail on the mic to a set list featuring over 45 explosive hits from Metallica’s illustrious career and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as Bob Seger, Alice In Chains, System of A Down, Foo Fighters and Queen. Fans will be able to rock as Metallica while performing in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales.

Guitar Hero Metallica is developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system versions are developed by Budcat. The game is rated 12+ by the BBFC.

Backstage with guitar Hero to debut in PlayStation Home

Activision today announced that Guitar Hero fans will have another virtual destination to join together and rock with the launch of the franchise’s very own space in the PlayStation Home

The 3D social gaming community that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences together online for the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system.

“Backstage with Guitar Hero” will give Guitar Hero rock stars around the world exclusive VIP access to both a themed backstage lounge and massive concert venue where they can meet up, hang out, check out videos for upcoming titles on the franchise, and share their rock and roll secrets. “Backstage with Guitar Hero” will continue to evolve over time adding new functionality.

Guitar Hero's to keep on rockin' new music from Pixies, Motorhead, Silversun Pickups, Steely Dan and Nirvana.

Two Brand-New Silversun Pickups Tracks to Debut Exclusively in Guitar Hero World Tour *Fifteen New Songs in April Add to the Massive Guitar Hero World Tour Set List

In April, gamers will have no shortage of new songs to rock out to on Activision Publishing, Guitar Hero World Tour with downloadable music from five distinctive rock bands.

The Pixies make their Guitar Hero debut; returning veterans Silversun Pickups will release two brand-new songs off their sophomore album, prior to its release; Nirvana returns for a downloadable encore with three additional hits; while Motörhead and Steely Dan, each with singles featured on Guitar Hero World Tour’s on-disc set list, make a resounding return.

On April 2nd, fans will be introduced to The Pixies’ alternative rock music for the first time ever in a Guitar Hero game. Virtual musicians will experience two singles from The Pixies’ second album, Doolittle, with “Debaser” and the highly successful “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” along with “The Sad Punk” from Trompe le Monde, their fourth and final full-length studio album.

Gamers will be able to get an exclusive taste of Silversun Pickups’ new music before their release of their second album, Swoon, on April 14 with “Panic Switch” and “It’s Nice to Know You Work Alone.” “Well Thought Out Twinkles” from their breakthrough album, Carnavas, will round out the Track Pack, available on April 9th.

Returning to Guitar Hero World Tour on April 16th is the popular rock band from the 70’s, Steely Dan. This time around, the band will contribute one single each from three of their albums – “Black Friday” from Katy Lied, “Kid Charlemagne” from The Royal Scam and “Bodhisattva” from Countdown to Ecstasy.

For download on April 23rd, British hard rock band, Motörhead, re-recorded new versions of “Jailbait,” “Love Me Like a Reptile,” and “Iron Fist” for Guitar Hero World Tour.

With their second downloadable Track Pack, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl of Nirvana will be returning to Guitar Hero World Tour on April 30th with "Very Ape" from In Utero, "Sappy" from the No Alternative compilation and "Stay Away" from their breakthrough, first major label album, Nevermind.

The Track Packs will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system for 5.49 euros / £3.99. All songs in the Track Packs will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for 1.99 euros / £1.59 and Nintendo Wii for 200 Wii Points each.

Go Behind-The-Scenes Of The Making Of Guitar Hero Metallica - three videos...

Activision has released three new mini video documentaries ("Into the Game", "The Game" and "The Music") that focus on the making of Guitar Hero Metallica.

The videos feature spot interviews with the band who discuss their involvement with the game, how Guitar Hero is helping their music reach a new audience, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the motion-capture and facial-scanning process.



“Ride the Lightning” with musical icons Metallica and 21 other rockin’ acts in an all new Guitar Hero experience – Guitar Hero Metallica. Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience the intensity and skill of one of the greatest bands of all time.



Shred on the guitar controller, rip on the drum kit controller and wail on the mic to a set list featuring over 45 explosive hits from Metallica’s illustrious career and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Alice In Chains, System of A Down, Foo Fighters and Queen. Fans will be able to rock as Metallica while performing in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales.

Guitar Hero Metallica four song demo on Xbox Live Marketplace

Four song demo unleashed featuring Metallica and two guest acts: Queen and Alice in Chains

Gamers itching to get a taste of Guitar Hero Metallica in advance of the game’s release need not wait any longer as Activision Publishing announced that the demo will be available today for free download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

In the demo, virtual rock stars across the globe can shred, drum and wail to Metallica’s explosive hits “Sad But True” and “Seek And Destroy,” as well as “No Excuses” from Alice In Chains and “Stone Cold Crazy” from Queen, both hand-picked by Metallica as featured guest acts in the game. Set in The Forum venue, highlighting the new in-the-round stage designs and custom camera angles, players can begin honing their skills in single-player and band Quickplay, head-to-head, Face-Off, Pro Face-Off and Battle gameplay modes.



“Ride the Lightning” with musical icons Metallica and 21 other rockin’ acts in an all new Guitar Hero® experience – Guitar Hero Metallica. Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience the intensity and skill of one of the greatest bands of all time. Shred on the guitar controller, rip on the drum kit controller and wail on the mic to a set list featuring over 45 explosive hits from Metallica’s illustrious career and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Alice In Chains, System of A Down, Foo Fighters and Queen. Fans will be able to rock as Metallica while performing in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales.

Guitar Hero Metallica is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system versions are being developed by Budcat. The game is rated 12+ by the BBFC.

Rise Against - Death Blossom- exclusive song for Guitar Hero

Previously Unreleased Single 'Death Blossoms' and Two of the Bandís Smash Hits To Be Released As Downloadable Content on March 12th * Rise Against to Rock with Guitar Hero - Fans as Part of Latest Xbox LIVE Game with Fame Session on March 14th

On March 12th, Rise Against will join the growing roster of artists to debut exclusively created music to Guitar Hero fans with the debut of “Death Blossoms” as downloadable content for Activision Guitar Hero World Tour.

The Guitar Hero alums, with “Prayer of the Refuge” and “Re-Education (Through Labor)” appearing in previous versions of Guitar Hero, complete the Rise Against Track Pack with “Audience of One,” the hit single off the band’s new album Appeal to Reason and “Ready to Fall,” from their 2006 album The Sufferer & The Witness.

Commemorating the release of the highly anticipated Rise Against Track Pack, virtual rockstars will have the unique opportunity to join Tim McIlrath on the digital stage for performances of Rise Against smash hits. For a chance to rock with the Chicago native in the Game with Fame on March 14th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM GMT in Guitar Hero World Tour on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, send a friend request to the gamertag GHRiseAgainst1.

“Guitar Hero continues to be a platform for artists to deliver new music while gaining invaluable exposure,” says Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs for Activision Blizzard. “We are thrilled that Rise Against was willing to compose and record ‘Death Blossoms’ exclusively for our audience offering fans an opportunity to download music heard nowhere else.”

Rise Against is vocalist Tim McIlrath, bassist Joe Principe, drummer Brandon Barnes and guitarist Zach Blair. In spring 2001, the band released their debut CD “The Unraveling” on Fat Wreck Chords. After two years of solid touring, Rise Against recorded “Revolutions Per Minute” (2002), followed by “Siren Song Of The Counter-Culture” (2004). “The Sufferer & the Witness” was released in 2006 and debuted at no 10 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Rise Against released their fifth studio album, Appeal To Reason, on DGC/Interscope Records last fall and it debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart as well as spending one week at No 1 on the iTunes album chart. First single, “Re-Education (Through Labor),” was a top 2 hit at modern rock radio and new single “Audience Of One” is poised to top the charts as well. Rise Against will embark on a summer headlining tour with special guest Rancid.

The Rise Against Track Pack will be available March 12th on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system for 5.49 euros / £3.99. “Death Blossoms,” “Audience of One” and “Ready to Fall” will be released individually as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for 1.99 euros / £1.59 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each.