411 Top 5 Games Edition: Week 34
Posted by Vincent Chiucchi on 06.01.2007
Top 5 songs we'd like to see in Guitar Hero
Welcome to return of the 411Games Top 5, week 34. Apologies for those who missed this column and were wondering why it suddenly disappeared. Long story short, school finals and crashing computers can really screw everything up. But enough excuses, on to the Top 5.
With Guitar Hero becoming one of the biggest new franchises and TWO new games coming soon (GH3 and GH: 80's ed.), the staff were asked what songs they'd love to see in an upcoming Guitar Hero game.
Damn, I could do a "top 5 Stratovarius songs I want to see in Guitar Hero." XD
Ah well, it's all power metal, because frankly that's what I like, but I'd say all these songs would make cool inclusions.
Honorable Mentions
Anything by Stratovarius, frankly
My Wings, As made famous by Lacuna Coil
Black Flame, as made famous by Xandria
Razorblade Kiss, as made famous by HIM
Oceans Way, as made famous by Leave's Eyes
Slaying the Dreamer, as made famous by Nightwish
Wolf & Raven, as made famous by Sonata Arctica
And for novelty....
It has to be Animetal Lady's cover of the Cutie Honey theme XD
5. The Fourth legacy, as made famous by Kamelot - On condition that the New Allegiance intro is included as a part of the song, of course. This song is just excellent really. Can't think of any other reason to put it in besides that, but I don't really need any other reason, do I? It's fast, vicious, yet an extremely deliberate and meticulous song. And at least it's got an orchestral break in the middle. You'll be needing it.
4. The Heart of Everything, as made famous by Within Temptation - Another strange choice on the surface, Within Temptation are a band not normally known to be heavy on the guitar work, usually more guttural with bass and the accompanying choir. And whilst the guitar work is kept simple in this song, as with most Within Temptation songs, there's something mesmerizing about the emphasis placed on the guitar on this song that it does not usually receive. Could be a great inclusion among the easier songs, they don't all have to be hard.
3. Midnight Madness, as made famous by Sinergy - As I and one of my GH obsessed friends have often discussed, this, in GH2, as it's equivalent of Bark at the Moon, would have rocked insanely hard. Similar subject matter,length and difficulty would have really been a great complimentary song to put in GH2, but oh well. It still needs to go in sometime. Although the solo might hospitalize people.
2. Face Your Demons, as made famous by After Forever - I love this song. It's very different for a song from a symphonic metal band of After Forever's kind. It's far more heavy metal and rocking and whatnot. And the solo is awesome, as is the third verse. It wouldn't be too difficult, and will help fill out the female singer quota of songs in there... well hey, so could a good number of the bands I've mentioned already.
1. I Walk To My Own Song, as made famous by Stratovarius - Suffice to say, the number one position was always going to be reserved for Stratovarius, and it was not easy picking a single song, and in fact, this is something of a surprise pick because although I do like this song a lot, it's no Destiny, and it's no Speed of Light... actually, that's why. Destiny is way too long, and Speed of Light is way too hard. And it's really either or with most of their songs. This song is about the right length and difficulty to be in Guitar Hero. As much as I would like to see many other songs make it, this one is probably the one that would work best. And there is something so very motivational about it, so it would probably make you feel good playing it.
In the name of metal brotherhood I'm breaking tradition and signing up!
5. Innuendo, Queen - There's two ways you can go with this. You can either take the opening riff and make the song relatively easy, or you can put in the Mexican style solo part and rip your fingers off trying to play it. Either way this is an epic that, like most Queen songs, fits perfectly with the Guitar Hero series.
4. Architecture of Aggression, Megadeth - I'm of the belief that Dave Mustaine vocals belong in pretty much every game ever invented, and that goes double for the theme song to Katamari Damacy. The rhythm section for Architecture is relatively simple game wise, and certainly rocks hard enough to contend with any of the current tracks in the game.
3. Stars, Lacuna Coil - This one is a no brainer. If you haven't heard this track, get it then give it to your love interest and earn instant brownie points. The only downside to this track is players will be trying to strangle themselves with their own controller cords after listening to it for too long. I know I did.
2. Push, Helloween - In Dance Dance Revolution, there is a song called "Max 300" that is known for its intensity and speed. This would be the Guitar Hero equivalent of that, and well worth while. Everything about the song is intense, and the lyrics will certainly egg on players to complete the extremely difficult song.
1. Duncan Hills Coffee, Dethklok - If you aren't laughing your ass off and nodding your head after reading this, then you haven't heard the song. There is simply no other track out there that more people wish they knew how to play, both for novelty and skill purposes. Guitar Hero can let fans live this dream once and for all. AND SCREEEEAM FOR YOUR CREEEEEAM!!
5. Women, Def Leppard - 80s rock at its finest and this comes from one of their best albums, Hysteria. I could have picked any from that album but this is one of my favourites so this gets picked over the more well known stuff. And besides they're from my home town so how can i not pick them?
4. Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd - Floyd are usually over looked as doing some very strange work, which is true they do but they're fantastic musicians and song writers as this song shows. Classed as having some of the best guitar work in any song this would be great to play. And if they could get a live version on the game instead well that would be even better.
3. Voodoo Child, Jimi Hendrix - Hendrix is still seen as being one of the greats and this is one of the most recognized songs ever recorded and for that reason alone it should be included. The fact that it's awesome is just a fine bonus.
2. Riff Raff - AC/DC - Angus Young is a phenomenal guitarist who isn't usually given the credit he deserves(which is true of the band as a whole). I could have picked any of two dozen AC/DC tracks but this is one of my favourites. That and the thought of being able to play this makes me feel all tingly inside.
1. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin are the most influential rock band ever. Without them they would be no AC/DC, Queen, Metalica, Foo Fighters and a host of other bands who credit Zeppelin with starting their interest in rock. Rock, Metal and all the other types would have been changed forever and Jimmy Page is one of the top 3 guitarists of all time. All of doesn't matter because Stairway has, probably, the greatest guitar solo ever. A classic in every sense of the word. If you don't like this song there's something wrong with you.
Hon mentions
Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin
Just for that guitar solo. It's a thing of beauty.
Back in Black - AC/DC
From one of the highest selling albums of all time (it's about 3rd) comes this stonking title track. Everyone knows this song and I've never met someone who didn't like it.
Hammer to Fall - Queen
It's Queen, they're great and that guitar intro means that this song gets picked.
Slither - Velvet Revolver
Because it's just that damn good.
You're the Best, Joe Esposito
Eye Of The Tiger, Survivor
Beat It, Michael Jackson
Walk This Way, Aerosmith Double Vision, Foreigner
5. Sleep Walk, Santo & Johnny - Most of you will recognize this as "that sad song that's played at the end of La Bamba." I prefer to call it "that sad song that gives me an excuse to yell 'Ritchie' at the end." Sure, the song is a downer, but its inclusion would give gamers something they can play when they're feeling the blues. They'd better not use the Brian Setzer remake though!
4. The Touch, Stan Bush - You're laughing now, but I guarantee that this'll be a party favorite if it ever finds its way into a Guitar Hero game. If you don't remember (or if you've never heard it), it's an inspirational song made for an 80s movie staring giant robots. On paper it shouldn't have worked, but it did. I'm positive that it'll work in a GH game as well.
3. Sunday Morning, No Doubt - My hall mates in college kept playing songs from Tragic Kingdom so it has a lot of sentimental value. This is one of my favorite songs from the album. It's lively and energetic. I believe that it would be a perfect fit. Spiderwebs, Just a girl, and Excuse Me Mr. might also work, but this is the one I'd want to see first.
2. The Grand Illusion, Styx - It's sad but I'm sure that a good number of you only heard this song because Eric Forman sang it one time on That '70s Show. I had some trouble deciding between this and Renegade, but I eventually picked this because, if you think about it, the lyrics work on so many levels. I'm a sucker for songs with messages in them.
1. I Want It All, Queen - I agree with Damian that Innuendo, along with a lot of other Queen songs, would make a great addition to the Guitar Hero series. I had to decide between this song and Friends Will Be Friends, but I eventually selected this because it just happens to be one of my personal favorites and it just sounds badass. Just listen to the lyrics. Hear that? Badassness in musical form!
That's all for this week, and remember: NO STAIRWAY!
