Posted in: Musicouching by Mnofdichotomy on December 4, 2009 | 5 Comments
The best you’ve never heard.
One of the coolest things about the Guitar Hero Franchise is the fact that it gives bands an unbelievably large forum for exposure. While the games are packed with the big names that obviously carry the franchise; Your Metallicas, Korns, and Lynyrd Skynyrds, it also showcases some truly great new artists. And even better, it resurrects some older songs that didn’t receive the notoriety they perhaps would have had they not been simply ahead of their time.
Here are some of the best; unknown or forgotten gems brought to the front by the Guitar Hero series:
Who was in my room last night Butthole Surfers
The Butthole Surfers are one of the most under appreciated bands in recent history. They are one of the frw who have utterly defied the standards of the pop music machine. They reinvent themselves with every album; literally changing their sound completely. Who was in my room is a breakneck assault on your senses that leaves you with the urge to break something.
Unsung Helmet
Helmet was a great band that kind of got classified as ‘grunge’ in the early 90’s, and then fell through the cracks because the didn’t really fit the mold. Which was too bad; they were really a solid rock band, more Alice in Chains (who weren’t really grunge, either) than Pearl Jam. Unsung is a heavy, somewhat hypnotizing blast of a song.
Through The Fire And The Flames Dragonforce
If there is one band that can say it owesthe majority of it’s success to the Guitar Hero game, it’s Dragonforce. Their appearance on GHIII made this band. They might be a bit over the top and utterly, well… 80’s, this is without a doubt some of the most masterful guitar playing you will ever see in your life. I can’t even think at the speed these guys play.
Nottingham Lace Buckethead
And then there is Buckethead. He is quite possibly the only man in history who could legitimately hold Hendrix’s jock. Like Hendrix, he simply does things no one else can. By definition, a ‘Guitar God’.
Avalancha Heroes Del Silencio
If there is a favorite song that I discovered from the games, it’s this one… in spite of the fact that I have no idea what the hell the guy is saying. It’s just a smooth, rockin’ song.
Pride And Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan
The man played the blues the way they were meant to be played. Today’s youth needs a good dose of this. (Side note: The Piano player absolutely freaks the keys in this video)
Holiday In Cambodia Dead Kennedys
There are far too many little bastards running around today calling Green Day and Blink 182 punk music. Jello and the Kennedys helped invent punk… another bit of history today’s spoiled directionless youth could use.
Angel of Death Slayer
Speed Metal? Slipknot? No disrespect to the masked ones, but Slayer is speed metal. Anger in it’s purest musical form. Another chance for kids to see where what they’re listening to came from.
Infected Bad Religion
The godfathers of all things punk. I have raised my kids listening to the band that preaches a dying mantra… think for yourself.
no sleep till brooklyn beastie boys
The Beastie boys have evolved many times, along the way becoming the best selling rap group in history. This goes bask to the beginning; to what is simply one of the coolest songs ever made.
No One Knows Queens Of The Stone Age
It really is a weird song. It’s almost confusing at times, but addicting at the same time. A piece of musical genius.
no sleep till brooklyn beastie boys
Faith Hodge December 4th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Interesting article with lots of music.
welip December 4th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Great post. I’m latin and i dont undestand the Avalancha song, but i love it too.
Its by a spanish band from the 90’s that its separated. His vocalist’s name is Enrique Bunbury was considered the spanish version of Jim Morrison, for his look and lyrics.
The first verse says: “The madness never have’d a teacher..”
Congratulations on the performance of the song. Close to perfection.
Sue Nuckles December 5th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Interesting article.
kirbix December 7th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Most of these songs are quite well known.
Nottingham Lace and Angel of Death are not in the Guitar Hero games.
Slayer is thrash metal, not speed metal.
Spike December 7th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I wish Angel of Death was in guitar hero… but Kirbix is correct. The first song used was Raining Blood and recently War Ensemble. Angel of Death was slated for Guitar Hero Metallica but dropped because of the lyrics.