The Future of Shred: What a Modern Guitar Hero Would Sound Like
From its explosive debut in 2005,Guitar Hero wasn’t just a game – it was a cultural phenomenon. It celebrated iconic rock anthems and ignited a passion for music in a generation. Even today, songs like living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” and Heart’s “Barracuda” instantly evoke memories of furiously strumming plastic guitars. While early versions relied on covers, they captured the exhilarating feeling of performing live.
However,the music landscape shifted dramatically in the late 2000s.The market became flooded with rhythm games,and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock (2010) failed to resonate with players. Together, the rise of mobile gaming, online experiences, and economic challenges put the franchise on pause. guitar Hero Live in 2015 proved to be the final release, with servers ultimately shutting down in 2018.
But the spirit of Guitar Hero lives on. Games like Beat Saber and the dedicated fan project Clone Hero demonstrate continued interest in this style of gameplay. Yet,a major studio hasn’t attempted a full-fledged Guitar Hero revival – until now,perhaps? The time feels right for Guitar Hero 6.
Let’s imagine a new installment, brimming with a fresh tracklist. Of course, classics like Black Sabbath’s ”Iron Man” and Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” would be essential. But a lot of astonishing music has emerged since 2018. Post-punk has experienced a resurgence, Olivia Rodrigo has become a pop-rock icon, and established artists like Foo Fighters and Jack White continue to deliver guitar-driven hits.
Here are 20 tracks that would be perfect additions to a modern Guitar Hero, structured like the original games with tiers representing rising rockstar success and an encore for each round:
Rising Star (Easy/Medium Difficulty)
* Olivia Rodrigo – “good 4 u”: A modern pop-punk anthem that’s instantly recognizable.
* Måneskin – ”Beggin'”: This Italian rock band’s cover brings a fresh energy to a classic.
* IDLES – ”Danny Nedelko”: A powerful and politically charged post-punk track.
* Turnstile – “Holiday”: Blending hardcore punk with infectious grooves.
Local Hero (Medium Difficulty)
* Fontaines D.C. – “Jackie Down The Line”: Atmospheric and driving post-punk from Ireland.
* Wet Leg - “Chaise Longue”: Indie rock with a witty and deadpan delivery.
* Royal Blood – “Figure It Out”: A minimalist, bass-driven rock duo with massive sound.
* Highly suspect – “My Name Is Human”: Bluesy rock with a modern edge.
Touring Pro (Hard Difficulty)
* Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is a Neighborhood”: A soaring and anthemic track from rock stalwarts.
* Pearl Jam - “Gigaton”: A powerful and politically charged song from Pearl Jam’s latest album.
* Jack White – “Taking Me Back”: Raw and energetic blues-rock from the former White Stripes frontman.
* Queens of the Stone Age – “No One Knows”: A desert rock classic with a hypnotic groove.
Rock God (Expert Difficulty)
* Spiritbox - “Holy Roller”: A progressive metal masterpiece with soaring vocals and complex instrumentation.
* Polyphia – “GOOSE”: Instrumental progressive rock showcasing incredible guitar virtuosity.
* Architects – “Animals”: British metalcore with a powerful message and intense energy.
* Sleep token - “The Summoning”: atmospheric and enigmatic post-metal with captivating vocals.
Encore (Bonus Tracks)
* Bring Me the Horizon – ”Parasite Eve”: A blend of metalcore and electronic elements.
* Nova Twins - “Cleopatra”: A unique blend of rock, grime, and electronic
