Guitar Hero 2, a sequel that amplified everything that made the original game iconic, landed on Playstation 2 in November 2006 and Xbox 360 in Spring 2007, bringing with it a track list that was nothing short of legendary. For fans craving more rock anthems and guitar-shredding challenges, the Guitar Hero 2 song list delivered in spades, expanding its musical horizons to capture a broader audience. Remember countless hours spent mastering tracks on the first Guitar Hero, wishing for even more iconic rock songs? Those wishes were answered with this phenomenal tracklist.
Guitar Hero 2 tracklist announcement featuring the game's box art, a popular music rhythm game.
Let’s dive into the song list that made Guitar Hero 2 a must-play for guitar game enthusiasts and rock music lovers alike:
Opening Licks
This section kicks things off with high-energy rock and metal anthems, setting the stage for the guitar-shredding journey ahead.
- Motley Crue – Shout at the Devil
- Danzig – Mother
- Cheap Trick – Surrender
- Wolfmother – Woman
- Spinal Tap – Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight
Amp-Warmers
Building on the initial energy, “Amp-Warmers” introduces classic rock staples and sing-along anthems that are guaranteed to get players warmed up.
- Kiss – Strutter
- Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box
- Police – Message in a Bottle
- Van Halen – You Really Got Me
- Kansas – Carry on Wayward Son
String-Snappers
Things start to get heavier with “String-Snappers,” featuring grunge, punk, and hard rock tracks that will test players’ fretboard skills.
- Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
- Alice in Chains – Them Bones
- Iggy Pop and the Stooges – Search and Destroy
- Pretenders – Tattooed Love Boys
- Black Sabbath – War Pigs
Thrash and Burn
“Thrash and Burn” turns up the intensity even further, delivering a mix of hard rock and classic anthems perfect for raising the energy levels.
- Warrant – Cherry Pie
- Butthole Surfers – Who Was in My Room Last Night
- Mathew Sweet – Girlfriend
- Rolling Stones – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’
- Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine
Return of the Shred
Showcasing virtuosic guitar work, “Return of the Shred” features tracks known for their complex riffs and challenging solos, pushing players to their limits.
- Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the Name Of
- Primus – John the Fisherman
- Sword – Freya
- Thin Lizzy – Bad Reputation
- Aerosmith – Last Child
Relentless Riffs
As the name suggests, “Relentless Riffs” is packed with songs driven by powerful and memorable guitar riffs, keeping the momentum going strong.
- Heart – Crazy on You
- Stone Temple Pilots – Tripping on a Hole in a Paper Heart
- Stray Cats – Rock This Town
- Allman Brothers – Jessica
- Jane’s Addiction – Stop
Furious Fretwork
“Furious Fretwork” truly lives up to its name, bringing in fast-paced and technically demanding tracks that will challenge even the most seasoned Guitar Hero veterans.
- Anthrax – Madhouse
- Living End – Carry Me Home
- Lamb of God – Laid to Rest
- Reverend Horton Heat – Psychobilly Freakout
- Rush – YYZ
Face-Melters
The final section, “Face-Melters,” culminates in epic and iconic rock anthems, designed to provide the ultimate guitar gaming experience and finish the setlist with a bang.
- Avenged Sevenfold – Beast and the Harlot
- Suicidal Tendencies – Institutionalized
- Dick Dale – Misirlou
- Megadeth – Hangar 18
- Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
While some might have missed bands like Iron Maiden and AC/DC on the Guitar Hero 2 track list, the sheer breadth and quality of songs solidified its place as a landmark title in music gaming history. The Guitar Hero 2 song list remains a benchmark for rock music in video games, offering a diverse and thrilling experience for every aspiring guitar hero.
