As is tradition on Fridays, Harmonix just announced next weeks Rock Band DLC which is sort of special seeing that Rock Band 2 releases this weekend. Available on Tuesday, September 16th will be the entire seven song Megadeth album Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? which, if purchased together, will cost you 880 Microsoft points. Not only that, but four additional DLC tracks from the bands of the Rock Band tour will be released for a promotional 80 MS point price. Complete DLC listing below ...
"Wake Up Dead" by Megadeth (160)
"The Conjuring" by Megadeth (160)
"Devil's Island" by Megadeth (160)
"Good Mourning / Black Friday" by Megadeth (160)
"Bad Omen" by Megadeth (160)
"I Ain't Superstitious" by Megadeth (160)
"My Last Words" by Megadeth (160)
"One of Those Nights" by the Cab (80)
"Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional (80)
"She's a Handsome Woman" by Panic! At the Disco (80)
Here are some things we like. We like Stephen Colbert. He's funny. We like Rock Band. It's fun to play. What happens when you put the two together? Awesome is what happens. "Charlene" a song Colbert did during his stint with Stephen and the Colberts, is now available as a free download for Rock Band. We strongly suggest you add it to your collection. We're fairly sure that -- at this time -- this is the closest any of us will ever get to actually being Stephen Colbert. Or, more precisely, being around him, near him. Not that we're stalking him or anything.
Ahem. Got a bit creepy there. Check out in game videos of the song after the break.
MTV has announced that the standalone version of Rock Band 2 (not the instrument bundle) is on its way to retailers. The game will be available (strangely) this coming Sunday, September 14 for the standard price of $59.99. While the game won't be available with instruments bundled in (yet), MTV has announced that both the wireless drums and guitar will be available "later in the week" for $89.99 and $69.99 respectively. Also available will be the Mad Catz Precision Bass controller for $69.99 and the uber-deluxe ION Drum Rocker for a hefty $299. It's worth noting that the ION Drum Rocker can be converted into a real electronic drum set using additional hardware (sold separately, of course). No details were give regarding the release of the instrument bundle.
Now it's time to go start bugging your game store employee friends for a sneak peak. Just remember, trying to trick someone into selling you Rock Band 2 before its street date is wrong. Fun, but wrong.
Just as was announced last week, this morning Harmonix lovingly placed a new three pack of Rock Band downloadable content on the XBLM for all to enjoy. The new DLC is comprised of music from metal band All That Remains and, for those whose Microsoft points bank accounts are running low, you'll be pleased to hear that each song will only set you back 80 Microsoft points. Click towards the break to view a complete breakdown of today's Rock Band DLC. Because, you know, that's really all that remains.
Mr. HMXHenry just posted a listing of next week's Rock Band downloadable content and it's comprised of three tracks each value priced at 80 Microsoft points. Next Tuesday, September 9th is an All That Remains week of DLC, featuring the song "This Calling" and two tracks from their upcoming album Overcome called "Chiron" and "Two Weeks". Want that information in bullet point form? Can do, here you go:
Now that Harmonix has released a title update to allow users to transfer songs from the original Rock Band into Rock Band 2, we thought it might be helpful to post a video walkthrough of the whole process. It's pretty simple, actually. All that's required is about 10 minutes and 400 ($5). Check out the video above to see the whole process from start to finish (minus the boring bits).
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Today, Harmonix officially announced that the Rock Band disc export, the update that allows most all Rock Band songs to be available in Rock Band 2, is now available for download off the XBLM. Though, it doesn't really do anything until Rock Band 2 releases. The disc export update will set you back 400 Microsoft points ($5) and will import 55 of the Rock Band songs into the game sequel. 55 songs seem a little light? Well, you're correct. Sadly, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath, "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden and the European exclusive "Monsoon" by Tokio Hotel will not be a part of the transfer. We can only speculate to why a re-license agreement couldn't be made.
Admittedly, we're a bit late on informing you about the latest batch of upcoming Rock Band downloadable content, but we've been busy touring Microsoft's campus and doing other PAX things. Please forgive us. But no matter the date, you should know that this Tuesday, Harmonix will be releasing a PAX inspired set of Rock Band DLC for your downloading consumption. For 80 Microsoft points a track, you'll be able to grab music from PAX artists Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot and Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. Now that's Penny Arcade enjoyable!
"Skullcrusher Mountain" by Jonathan Coulton (80)
"Livin' on the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe" by MC Frontalot (80)
After the unfortunate mess that was the Rush Moving Pictures DLC failure, Harmonix has released a new track pack to take its place. Available on Marketplace now is a new track pack from the group Locksley. We've never heard of them, but we have to admit it's pretty good. Check out a video of their song "She Does" after the break.
So, it ain't Moving Pictures, but it's something, right? Right?
Locksley Pack 1 (240 / $3)
Entertainment Weekly reports that Rock Band 2 will be receiving some pretty hefty full albums in the "coming months," presumably after the game launches in September. All told, Entertainment Weekly reveals six full albums from well-known groups. The albums mentioned are:
Foo Fighters -- "The Colour and the Shape"
Red Hot Chili Peppers -- "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"
Jane's Addiction -- "Nothing's Shocking"
Megadeth -- "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying"
Stevie Ray Vaughn -- "Texas Flood"
Also mentioned in the article is a special collection of hits from No Doubt (you know, the band Gwen Steffani was in before she went crazy). Some very big names indeed. We're particularly excited by offerings from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction. How about you, loyal readers? Anything up there tickle your fancy?
We'll put it as simply as possible: There will be no RushMoving Pictures Rock Band downloadable content releasing this week. Absolutely nada, none. Harmonix just informed us that their mysterious "technical difficulties" have led them to delay the Moving Pictures DLC a few weeks, but they promise to release some other Rock Band DLC later in the week. And, probably as an apology gift, we're also being promised some other BIG Rock BandPAX news this weekend. So, no Rush DLC, but we do get replacement DLC and a big PAX announcement. It's acceptable ... we guess.
If your Tuesday morning ritual mirrors that of ours, where we sign onto Xbox Live to browse the XBLM's new Rock Band downloadable content, then you too were as shocked as us. Because, lo and behold, there is no new Rush Moving Pictures Rock Band album DLC on the XBLM this morning. Sad ... we know. Harmonix has informed us that due to some "technical difficulties", the promised Rush DLC did not make it onto the Marketplace as scheduled but that the "difficulties" are being ironed out. We wait patiently, on the edge of our seats, for the release of the original master of "Tom Sawyer" ... HURRY UP HARMONIX!
Trying something new and a day early, Harmonix decided to reveal next week's Rock Band downloadable content through their first emailed issue of the Rock Band Community-zine. And within its digital pages comes confirmation of new Rush downloadable content. Yup, RUSH! But don't go and expect to get a Rush three song track pack, because that just isn't the case. Instead, we'll be treated to all seven tracks from their Moving Pictures album which will hit the XBLM next Tuesday, August 26th. Including the original recordings from "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight"! Down with covers, up with original masters and bring on the album DLC!
Now that Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Revolution are all headed our way, Xbox 360 gamers will soon be flooded with new instrument peripherals. This raises the question: which instruments will work with which games? Joystiq has stepped up to the proverbial plate and provided the answer: the Joystiq Instrument Compatibility Matrix 3.0. If you're planning to pick up any of these upcoming music games (and you really should be), consulting this handy chart is a must. It will be updated as new information is released, so be sure to bookmark it for the next time you've got a hankering for a new plastic instrument.
Fresh from the Rock Band downloadable content Easy-Bake Oven and onto the XBLM are five new chewy-moist morsels of DLC to purchase. And as you're already aware, two tracks from Devo AND two tracks from Duran Duran (yes, Duran Duran!) are available for 160 Microsoft points as well as a song from American Mall that's value priced at 80 points. Sadly, there are no money saving track packs being offered this week ... tear. A comprehensive breakdown of all of today's newly released Rock Band DLC is posted after the break. Rock on!