Free Rock Band 2 Tracks Revealed, Coming Nov 4

[DoctorFinger]

Rock Band 2 owners may remember that code printed in the back of the manual (assuming you're part of the approximately 2% of the game players who actually read the manual). Harmonix had announced that the code will allow you to redeem - for free - a series of downloadable tracks for the game. Now they've announced which tracks you'll be able to grab, and a date you'll be able to grab them. Starting November 4th, you'll be able to download a pack with the following songs:

* The 88 - "Sons and Daughters"
* Authority Zero - "No Regrets"
* Between the Buried and Me - "Prequel To The Sequel"
* The Cab - "Bounce"
* The Chevelles - "Get It On"
* The Cocktail Slippers - "Give It To Me"
* Dealership - "Database Corrupted"
* Endeverafter - "I Wanna Be Your Man"
* The Ghost Hounds - "Ashes To Fire"
* Hollywood Undead - "Young"
* Kutless - "The Feeling"
* The Len Price 3 - "If I Ain't Got You"
* Lesley Roy - "I'm Gone, I'm Going"
* Opiate for the Masses - "Burn You Down"
* Semi-Precious Weapons - "Magnetic Baby"
* Shaimus - "Like a Fool"
* Thenewno2" - Crazy Tuesday"
* Tickle Me Pink - "The Time Is Wrong"
* Underoath - "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures"
* X Japan - "I.V."

No big name artists, but a bunch of quality lesser known groups.

Sources - IGN (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/922/922340p1.html); Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rock-band-2s-20-bonus-dlc-tracks-revealed-coming-nov-4/).

[MachEnergy]

I'll reserve final judgment until I actually play these songs, but color me very disappointed. I have less than 1GB of free space, and I'm not so sure I want to waste it on unknown music.

....Hoping they kick ass!

[Mike Kelehan]

I'll reserve final judgment until I actually play these songs, but color me very disappointed. I have less than 1GB of free space, and I'm not so sure I want to waste it on unknown music.

....Hoping they kick ass!

And yet, if they were on the disc and we were given an unlock key, people would be pissed.

[hideouslywrinkled]

I think it's pretty cool. I actually missed all the "Bonus" songs in Rock Band 2. I love the VAGIANT song in the original Rock Band.

This is a nice compromise because not everyone likes the bonus songs and now they don't have to install them.

[Klunka]

Look, this is probably great for the super music buffs who play Rock Band, but the worst thing that hapens when playing this game with family and friends is a song comes up and everyone stares blankly cause no one has ever even heard of the song. I would like to play these, but won't download them cause there's no way to keep them out of my random playlists.

[MachEnergy]

And yet, if they were on the disc and we were given an unlock key, people would be pissed.

Sure. Why wouldn't people be pissed if content had been fully available on the disc, but for some reason they chose to time delay the release of said content?

I fully understand the reason for the delayed release of these songs is that it takes a lot of time to prepare all the note charts for all the instruments for all the difficulty modes. It is likely that they chose all the songs up front, but then had to prioritize the release order based on exposure. Focus on the songs people know, get 'em done, and burn those to disc. Lesser known songs are (and should be) a lower priority.

....again, hoping they kick ass.

[Sandman]

Good luck with Between The Buried and Me.

[Raen]

I'll reserve final judgment until I actually play these songs, but color me very disappointed. I have less than 1GB of free space, and I'm not so sure I want to waste it on unknown music.

....Hoping they kick ass!

Underoath aren't exactly unknown, they've had two top ten albums in the US . I mean I know of them, and I'm from the UK!

[Cyndair]

I know that some people are upset by this list but hey, the bottom line is that there are still over 80 songs on the disc which would have been more than worth the price of admission. I'll download and check out these bonus tracks but if they end up sucking then it isn't a deal breaker for me, personally.

[Talanvor]

I can't say I'm upset or very surprised, honestly. I fully expected these songs to be similar to the bonus tracks that were on RB1. I'm going to have to play them before I decide if I like them or not. Though I do think it's a little funny that they had to get the 360 standalone game out the door way before GHIV showed up, hence the need for this entire DLC pack.

I am disappointed that there's no Freezepop in RB2 though. I hope they'll be releasing some DLC for them (at $1 again plz).

[Adam Blue]

I was excited about that rumored list.

I guess I shouldn't have been. But, I'm not a hardcore Rock Band-er. I drum and sing to songs that I really enjoy, which is less than 5%. I bought RB2 for Painkiller.

[Mortis]

Do not want. :(

[Seconds Out]

That sucks.

[The Iron Weasel]

BTBAM and Underoath are the only worthy names I see here. Luckily Between the Buried and Me is good enough to make up for the other 18 unknowns here. Who knows you guys, you might find your favourite new band through this, give it a shot, if you don't like it, its not like you paid for it, and its not like you HAVE to keep it. Common dudes, afraid of some new tunage?

[Vandabo]

Yeah, I assumed that the tracks were going to be real low key ones, other wise they would have announced them as soon as possible. Still sucks though.

[Expugnare]

Why would anyone complain about free songs? Especially since you probably have not heard these, they could be very good.

[KingGorilla]

You guys have your heads up your asses. If I were in one of these groups, I would be flipping out that my song will be played and made available to millions of people like this. And if you are expecting assholes like Metallica or AC/DC to give their songs away for free, or for Harmonix/MTV to just eat the cost, what the hell is wrong with you?

I know I am not in the minority here, but I find the best part of these games to be playing the songs I never hear or never heard of and finding out that they are really fun. Paramore may suck ass, but they are fun to hack out on a fisher price guitar.