Guitar Hero / Slipknot

Ive never liked Slipknot. Their version of metal just doesn't sit right with me. Every time I hear some of their music (at a gig or at a metal store) I always compare it to what I call "good metal". I do however like the work of their drummer - Joey Jordison. He's a little bloke with a heavy right foot.

I saw pictures of Slipknot before I heard their music. I think it was from over at Blabbermouth when Slipknot were originally signed to (i think) RoadRunner. Anyway, the pictures were of the band in full costume with face masks. And it put me off. Only Ki$$ should dress like that. I hated Gwar, Lordi, etc for wearing that crap. I think it looks stupid. But on Ki$$ it looks cool. Dont ask me why.

On Dec 2nd last year I spent my hard earned on a PlayStation 2 and a copy of Guitar Hero 3. That weekend was the worst weekend ever, but buying a PS2 and GH3 seemed like fun so thats what I did. Over the next week I didn't get the chance to play it, but when I went to Melbourne the week after I spent a few hours learning how to rock it with the plastic buttons. Some tracks are easy. Some are hard. For those of you who don't know anything about the game, you get extra songs the further you progress. As I had plenty of time I managed to unlock all the songs on the easy level quite easily. There was Slayer, Maiden, Metallica, SRV, etc. Yay. But then there was this song by Slipknot - Before I Forget. I skipped it every time. I didnt want to play it - they sucked.

But then just before Christmas I gave the song a go. Id kicked both Slash and Tom Morello's ass, but couldn't progress very far on Slayer's Seasons In The Abyss in easy level or many of the songs on the intermediate level. And fuck me if Before I Forget isn't one of the best metal songs ive heard in a damn long time. Pounding drums, rough vocals, guitar tracks that are in synch with the bass and drums. Its just awesome.






I like the song that much that I considered putting it on my Audio Project CD. But I didn't. But at least I considered it.

What im trying to get at is that before Guitar Hero I wouldn't have given Slipknot a listen. But the game is so good that I gave them a go. And now ill have a re-listen. Maybe ill buy a CD. Maybe if they tour again ill go see them. Its great that Aerosmith and Metallica have their own version of Guitar Hero coming out. Ill buy both. But its the lesser known acts that will benefit from this game - smaller signed bands and unknown independents. I unfortunately only have the Ps2 version so i cant download the extra songs the Ps3 and XBox 360 versions can - but ive tried the game online at a friends house and downloaded all the extra tracks. Theres a stack of small and big bands on it.

This game isnt the answer to the music industry's woes. But its a great way of getting people - young and old alike - to listen to old rock/metal classics and new up and coming rock/metal bands. Maybe it'll inspire someone to go listen to something new - or an old band they previously thought "sucked".

I did.