The highly anticipated tracklist for Guitar Hero 2 has finally dropped, promising an electrifying experience for both Playstation 2 owners on November 7 and Xbox 360 gamers in Spring 2007. This sequel’s Soundtrack Guitar Hero 2 boasts an expanded and more diverse collection of rock anthems, poised to resonate with an even wider audience than its predecessor. For fans who grew up dreaming of shredding to iconic rock bands, Guitar Hero 2 appears ready to deliver on those headbanging aspirations.
Guitar Hero 2 game box art showcasing the soundtrack for the PS2 and Xbox 360 versions. This music game features a rock-heavy tracklist.
The setlist is thoughtfully organized into tiers, starting with the “Opening Licks” and escalating through increasingly challenging and iconic tracks. The initial tier immediately sets a high-energy tone, featuring:
- Motley Crue – Shout at the Devil: A stadium rock classic, perfect for kicking off any guitar gaming session.
- Danzig – Mother: A darker, blues-infused rock track adding some gothic flair to the mix.
- Cheap Trick – Surrender: Power-pop perfection that’s infectiously catchy and fun to play.
- Wolfmother – Woman: Modern retro-rock with a heavy riff that demands to be played loud.
- Spinal Tap – Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight: A humorous yet genuinely rocking track from the mockumentary legends.
Moving into “Amp-Warmers,” the soundtrack guitar hero 2 continues to impress with a mix of classic and enduring hits:
- Kiss – Strutter: Glam rock swagger with a signature catchy riff and singalong chorus.
- Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box: Grunge royalty, bringing a dose of 90s angst and alternative rock to the game.
- Police – Message in a Bottle: New wave infused rock with a distinctive reggae-tinged rhythm and iconic guitar work.
- Van Halen – You Really Got Me: A blistering cover that showcases Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary guitar style.
- Kansas – Carry on Wayward Son: Progressive rock epic, known for its soaring vocals and intricate instrumental sections.
As players progress to “String-Snappers,” the intensity ramps up with heavier and grittier selections on the soundtrack guitar hero 2:
- Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench: Post-grunge energy with a driving beat and memorable guitar hooks.
- Alice in Chains – Them Bones: Dark and heavy alternative metal with distinctive vocal harmonies and crushing riffs.
- Iggy Pop and the Stooges – Search and Destroy: Punk rock origins, raw energy, and chaotic guitar that’s pure adrenaline.
- Pretenders – Tattooed Love Boys: New wave with a punk edge, Chrissie Hynde’s vocals and a killer guitar riff make this a standout.
- Black Sabbath – War Pigs: Heavy metal pioneers, delivering a timeless anti-war anthem with iconic, doomy riffs.
The “Thrash and Burn” section of the soundtrack guitar hero 2 turns up the heat even further, featuring some hard-rocking anthems and guitar hero staples:
- Warrant – Cherry Pie: Glam metal fun, pure 80s rock with a catchy chorus and guitar solo.
- Butthole Surfers – Who Was in My Room Last Night: Alternative weirdness, a truly unique and quirky track for a change of pace.
- Mathew Sweet – Girlfriend: Power-pop gem with jangly guitars and an unforgettable melodic hook.
- Rolling Stones – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’: Classic rock royalty, bluesy and riff-heavy with extended instrumental jams.
- Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine: One of the most iconic guitar riffs of all time, a true rock ballad turned anthem.
“Return of the Shred” promises exactly that, with tracks geared towards showcasing guitar prowess within the soundtrack guitar hero 2:
- Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the Name Of: Rap-rock aggression with politically charged lyrics and a furious, iconic riff.
- Primus – John the Fisherman: Funky, quirky, and technically demanding bass-driven track with unique guitar elements.
- Sword – Freya: Stoner rock riffs, heavy and groovy, perfect for headbanging and guitar jamming.
- Thin Lizzy – Bad Reputation: Classic hard rock with twin guitar harmonies and a driving, energetic rhythm.
- Aerosmith – Last Child: Blues-infused rock and roll swagger, with a signature Aerosmith groove and guitar licks.
“Relentless Riffs” keeps the momentum going with more guitar-driven rock tracks on the soundtrack guitar hero 2:
- Heart – Crazy on You: Classic rock with a powerful female vocal and an iconic acoustic guitar intro that explodes into electric energy.
- Stone Temple Pilots – Tripping on a Hole in a Paper Heart: Grunge era alternative rock with a distinctive riff and melodic vocals.
- Stray Cats – Rock This Town: Rockabilly energy, fast-paced and fun, with a retro vibe and twangy guitar.
- Allman Brothers – Jessica: Southern rock instrumental masterpiece, showcasing incredible guitar harmonies and musicianship.
- Jane’s Addiction – Stop: Alternative rock with art-rock influences, dynamic and atmospheric with a powerful guitar presence.
“Furious Fretwork” continues the shred-fest, diving into heavier and faster territory in the soundtrack guitar hero 2:
- Anthrax – Madhouse: Thrash metal intensity, fast tempos and aggressive riffs, perfect for energetic gameplay.
- Living End – Carry Me Home: Punk rock energy mixed with rockabilly influences, high-speed and catchy.
- Lamb of God – Laid to Rest: Modern metal heaviness, crushing riffs and aggressive vocals, bringing a contemporary edge.
- Reverend Horton Heat – Psychobilly Freakout: Psychobilly madness, fast tempos, twangy guitars and a wild, frantic energy.
- Rush – YYZ: Progressive rock instrumental virtuosity, incredibly complex and challenging, a true guitar hero test.
Finally, “Face-Melters” lives up to its name, concluding the soundtrack guitar hero 2 with some epic and intense tracks:
- Avenged Sevenfold – Beast and the Harlot: Modern metal with theatrical flair, epic and heavy with shredding guitar solos.
- Suicidal Tendencies – Institutionalized: Crossover thrash/punk classic, fast-paced and aggressive with iconic vocals and guitar riffs.
- Dick Dale – Misirlou: Surf rock instrumental legend, incredibly fast and iconic, known for its tremolo picking.
- Megadeth – Hangar 18: Thrash metal masterpiece, complex and technical, with multiple guitar solos and intricate arrangements.
- Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird: Southern rock epic, a true classic with an extended guitar solo section that’s legendary.
While some may lament the absence of iconic bands like Iron Maiden and AC/DC in the initial soundtrack guitar hero 2 tracklist, the sheer breadth and quality of the included songs is undeniable. Rumors of bonus tracks and potential future additions keep hopes high for even more rock legends to join the Guitar Hero 2 experience. Prepare to shred; Guitar Hero 2 is poised to be a landmark entry in music gaming history.
