The anticipation was palpable, the rumors were swirling, and now, the setlist has finally dropped! Guitar Hero 2, the sequel that promised to crank up the volume and broaden its musical horizons, officially unveiled its tracklist, sending waves of excitement through the gaming and music communities alike. Set to electrify Playstation 2 consoles on November 7th and Xbox 360s in Spring 2007, Guitar Hero 2 was poised to become a definitive entry in the series, thanks in no small part to its diverse and hard-rocking song selection.
For fans who poured countless hours into the original Guitar Hero, the burning question was always, “Where’s the heavier stuff?” Guitar Hero 2 answered that call with a resounding roar, delivering a tracklist that not only respected its rock roots but also ventured into heavier, more diverse sonic territories. From the Sunset Strip swagger of Mötley Crüe to the grunge angst of Nirvana, the Guitar Hero 2 list of songs was a masterclass in rock history, designed to satisfy both veteran shredders and newcomers ready to pick up their plastic axes.
Guitar Hero 2 Song List: Tier by Tier Breakdown
The game’s structure, familiar to Guitar Hero veterans, organized songs into tiers, each representing a level of increasing difficulty and musical intensity. Let’s dive into the setlist, tier by tier, and explore the rock anthems that defined Guitar Hero 2:
1. Opening Licks: Warm Up the Stage
This initial tier was designed to ease players into the Guitar Hero 2 experience, offering a mix of classic rock and hard-hitting anthems perfect for getting your fingers limber.
- Mötley Crüe – Shout at the Devil: Kickstarting the game with pure 80s rock rebellion.
- Danzig – Mother: A gothic rock staple, adding a darker edge to the setlist early on.
- Cheap Trick – Surrender: Power-pop perfection and an instantly recognizable guitar riff.
- Wolfmother – Woman: Modern hard rock with a retro vibe, showcasing the game’s contemporary additions.
- Spinal Tap – Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight: Bringing the humor and mock-rock energy that only Spinal Tap can deliver.
2. Amp-Warmers: Getting Hotter
The temperature rises in the “Amp-Warmers” tier, introducing more challenging tracks and iconic guitar riffs that demand precision and stamina.
- Kiss – Strutter: Glam rock at its finest, complete with a strutting riff and anthemic chorus.
- Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box: Grunge royalty enters the fray with this melancholic yet powerful track.
- Police – Message in a Bottle: Reggae-infused rock with a distinctive guitar line that’s both catchy and challenging.
- Van Halen – You Really Got Me: A high-energy classic that showcases Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary guitar style.
- Kansas – Carry on Wayward Son: Progressive rock grandeur with soaring vocals and intricate guitar harmonies.
3. String-Snappers: Ramping Up the Difficulty
As players progressed to “String-Snappers,” the Guitar Hero 2 list of songs started to truly test their skills, featuring faster tempos and more complex guitar parts.
- Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench: High-octane alternative rock with Dave Grohl’s signature energy.
- Alice in Chains – Them Bones: Heavy and dissonant grunge that challenges players with its unique time signature and riffs.
- Iggy Pop and the Stooges – Search and Destroy: Punk rock ferocity and raw energy that demands aggressive playing.
- Pretenders – Tattooed Love Boys: New wave grit with a memorable riff and Chrissie Hynde’s iconic vocals.
- Black Sabbath – War Pigs: Heavy metal pioneers deliver a timeless protest anthem with a doom-laden guitar riff.
4. Thrash and Burn: Unleashing the Shred
“Thrash and Burn” lived up to its name, throwing down the gauntlet with faster tempos, more intricate solos, and songs designed to push players to their shredding limits.
- Warrant – Cherry Pie: Hair metal indulgence with a catchy chorus and a guitar solo dripping in 80s excess.
- Butthole Surfers – Who Was in My Room Last Night: Alternative weirdness and psychedelic punk that breaks the mold.
- Matthew Sweet – Girlfriend: Power-pop with a sugary-sweet melody and a surprisingly intricate guitar arrangement.
- Rolling Stones – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’: Classic rock swagger and a sprawling jam session that tests improvisational skills.
- Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine: An iconic rock ballad with a legendary intro riff and soaring guitar solo.
5. Return of the Shred: Mastering the Art of Guitar
The “Return of the Shred” tier doubled down on guitar virtuosity, featuring songs that were not just challenging but also showcased the artistry and skill of guitar legends.
- Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the Name Of: A politically charged anthem with a powerful message and a hard-hitting, repetitive riff.
- Primus – John the Fisherman: Funk-metal eccentricity with Les Claypool’s signature bass lines and a quirky guitar riff.
- Sword – Freya: Stoner rock riffs and a heavy, driving groove that’s perfect for headbanging.
- Thin Lizzy – Bad Reputation: Twin guitar harmonies and classic rock songwriting at its finest.
- Aerosmith – Last Child: Blues-rock infused swagger with a funky rhythm and Joe Perry’s signature guitar licks.
6. Relentless Riffs: Non-Stop Rock Action
“Relentless Riffs” promised exactly that – a barrage of unforgettable guitar riffs and high-energy tracks that kept the momentum going strong.
- Heart – Crazy on You: A powerful rock ballad with Nancy Wilson’s iconic acoustic guitar intro and a soaring electric guitar climax.
Nancy Wilson of Heart performing Crazy on You, a song featured in the Guitar Hero 2 list of songs.
- Stone Temple Pilots – Tripping on a Hole in a Paper Heart: Grunge-era angst with a catchy chorus and a distinctive, wah-pedal infused guitar riff.
- Stray Cats – Rock This Town: Rockabilly energy and a swingin’ rhythm that’s guaranteed to get you moving.
- Allman Brothers – Jessica: Southern rock instrumental virtuosity, showcasing the band’s improvisational prowess and guitar interplay.
- Jane’s Addiction – Stop!: Alternative rock experimentation with a dynamic structure and a memorable, soaring chorus.
7. Furious Fretwork: Prepare to Melt Faces
“Furious Fretwork” was where the Guitar Hero 2 list of songs truly entered the realm of guitar heroics, featuring tracks that demanded lightning-fast fingers and unwavering concentration.
- Anthrax – Madhouse: Thrash metal intensity and breakneck speed, testing players’ stamina and precision.
- Living End – Carry Me Home: Punk rock energy with a ska-infused rhythm and a high-octane performance.
- Lamb of God – Laid to Rest: Modern metal heaviness with crushing riffs and a brutal, unrelenting sound.
- Reverend Horton Heat – Psychobilly Freakout: Psychobilly madness, blending rockabilly, punk, and surf rock into a frenetic mix.
- Rush – YYZ: Progressive rock instrumental complexity, challenging players with its odd time signatures and intricate arrangements.
8. Face-Melters: The Ultimate Guitar Challenge
The final tier, “Face-Melters,” lived up to its name, presenting the most challenging and epic tracks on the Guitar Hero 2 list of songs, designed to truly melt faces and crown the ultimate guitar heroes.
- Avenged Sevenfold – Beast and the Harlot: Modern metal theatrics with a dramatic flair and a demanding guitar solo.
- Suicidal Tendencies – Institutionalized: Crossover thrash energy and a politically charged anthem with a furious pace.
- Dick Dale – Misirlou: Surf rock instrumental legend, known for its lightning-fast tremolo picking and iconic melody.
- Megadeth – Hangar 18: Thrash metal complexity with multiple tempo changes, intricate riffs, and dueling guitar solos.
- Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird: Southern rock epic, culminating in an extended guitar solo that’s a true test of endurance and skill.
Final Verdict: A Legendary Setlist
While some might have lamented the absence of iconic bands like Iron Maiden and AC/DC from the main Guitar Hero 2 list of songs (leaving room for potential bonus tracks or future installments, perhaps?), the unveiled tracklist was undeniably impressive. Guitar Hero 2 delivered a richer, more diverse, and undeniably heavier collection of songs than its predecessor, solidifying its place as a landmark title in the music game genre. For aspiring guitar heroes and seasoned shredders alike, the Guitar Hero 2 list of songs offered a thrilling and challenging journey through the pantheon of rock music.
