METALLICA, SLAYER, BLACK SABBATH

METALLICA, SLAYER, BLACK SABBATH Join Guitar Hero III; Tracklist Expanded By 11

GameSpot has issued the following report from Tom Magrino:

It's difficult to say now how many times Nigel's infamous Spinal Tap line "These go to eleven" could be channeled in reference to Neversoft's Guitar Hero III and Harmonix's Rock Band. After all, it's the rock god's ethos to do everything bigger, badder, and gaudier than what's been done before.

Last week, community fan site Score Hero reported four new Guitar Hero III tracks, including finger-splitting numbers from DRAGONFORCE and IRON MAIDEN. Today, Activision did that announcement one better, not only confirming those four tracks, but adding seven more to the mix as well.

Topping the list for many in the 11 songs officially announced today will be the master recording of 'Raining Blood' from thrash-metal titans SLAYER. Goth rockers AFI will also be lending an original recording of 'Miss Murder' to Guitar Hero III, as will QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE with '3's and 7's' and THE STROKES with 'Reptilia'. While master tracks for DragonForce's 'Through Fire and Flames', Iron Maiden's 'Number of the Beast', and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' 'Suck My Kiss', were all reported by Score Hero last week, Activision officially confirmed those recordings today.

While the bulk of Guitar Hero III's tracklist has been original recordings, the game has picked up the license to cover a few classic rock songs as well. Adding to the tribute performer's lineup today is BLACK SABBATH's 'Paranoid', BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's 'Cities Of Flame', and MOUNTAIN's 'Mississippi Queen'. ZZ TOP's Texas tribute 'La Grange' was also confirmed today.

Read the full story and check out the tracklisting at GameSpot.