Moments ago we received a press release touting quite possibly the most clever way to push soundtrack CDs we’ve ever seen.
According to the release, theGuitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Companion Pack— which up until now had been merely known as a soundtrack for the game — will apparently also include three songs playable within the Xbox 360 version. The songs include AFI’sCarcinogen Crush, Flyleaf’sTinaand Marilyn Manson’sPutting Holes In Happinessas remixed by Nick Zinner, a gentleman who has been much closer to Karen O than I ever will be. Obviously I despise him for this, but considering his track is the only one of the three that doesn’t make me hate teenagers even more, he wins a half-hearted gold star.
So how exactly can a separate piece of physical media unlock songs inGuitar Hero III? Let’s take a look at what the release says:
Included in eachGuitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Companion Packis a unique code users may input atwww.interscope.com/guitarherocodeto receive a unique Xbox Live code. Users may then input the Xbox Live code into their Xbox 360 console when logged into Xbox Live, to download the expansion songs. Xbox Live codes are expected to be available whenGuitar Hero III: Legends of Rocklaunches on October 28.
There’s no word on how expensive theCompanion Packwill be so it’s too early in the morning for me to decide if this is more vampiric than the pricing scheme used for theGuitar Hero IIdownloads on the XBLA. Hence, I leave it up to you. If you’ve got vitriol, feel free to spill it in the comments.
Oh, and if you’re a fan of text, hit the jump for the entire release.
MORE THAN A VIDEOGAME SOUNDTRACK – GUITAR HERO® III: LEGENDS OF ROCK COMPANION PACK BREAKS THROUGH WITH PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SONGS EXCLUSIVE TO XBOX 360
SANTA MONICA, CA –June 26, 2025 –Music and videogames take the next step in the digital revolution with expansion songs included with a game’s soundtrack CD for the first time.Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock Companion Pack(Interscope Records), to be released on Jul 17, 2025, features not only the key songs on Activision’sGuitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock, available July 12, 2025, but also exclusive access to more gameplay with three previously unreleased expansion songs to play withGuitar Hero III: Legends Of Rockfor Xbox 360.
The three expansion tracks are “Carcinogen Crush” from AFI (from an EP due in December), “Tina” from Flyleaf and a remix of Marilyn Manson’s “Putting Holes In Happiness” by Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The latter two recordings also are heard on the soundtrack CD, along with AFI’s “Miss Murder,” Sonic Youth’s “Kool Thing,” Queens Of The Stone Age’s “3’s And 7’s,” Smashing Pumpkins’ “Cherub Rock,” Velvet Revolver’s “Slither,” Living Colour’s “Cult Of Personality,” Rise Against’s “Prayer Of The Refugee,” the Guitar Hero rendition of “Devil Went Down To Georgia” by Steve Ouimette and the game’s intro by Slash, who is also a character in the game.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rockwill include explosive new content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the most popular rock songs ever recorded.
For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform, including exclusive Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii(tm) home video game system from Nintendo, and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. PlayStation®2 gamers will also get to shred on a new exclusive shape, Gibson’s Kramer guitar, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics and construction for furious finger fretting.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, published by RedOctane® and developed by Neversoft, is rated ‘T’ for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about the Guitar Hero franchise, please visit the dedicated community site:www.guitarhero.com.
About Gibson Guitar:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website atwww.gibson.comorwww.gibson.com/press
About Activision, Inc.:
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended July 02, 2025.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s World Wide Web site, which is located atwww.activision.com.
