Guitar Hero: Metallica is the second game in the Guitar Hero series to focus on a specific band, following the release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith .
This title largely borrows from the novelties introduced in Guitar Hero: World Tour , with band career modes for single or multiple players, a storyline drawn as a cartoon, competitive modes online, and the possibility to play with different instruments. The storyline describes how a band wants to follow in the footsteps of Metallica and become a leading act on their tour. This edition adds an Expert+ difficulty mode where players need to drum using a second bass pedal to mimic the playing style of Lars Ulrich. The members also did motion capture sessions for the avatars in the game.
The music selection consists of 28 master recordings and 21 additional songs by others selected by the band. Bonus features include various videos and trivia about the songs. Progress is made by completing sets of songs, rather than a series of gigs as in Guitar Hero: World Tour , set in venues that were important in the band's career. Performances are rated with stars and a certain amount is needed to progress and unlock a new set.
The game also includes the GHTunes from World Tour where new songs can be created and shared. A new Drum Mode offers the possibility to play the drums without an existing drum track to create new rhythms, and the Battle mode has been updated with Metallica influences for the power-ups.
Awards and bonuses include custom drumsticks and a second bass pedal as pre-order bonuses in certain stores. The game was released on April 14th, 2009, in Europe packaged with a guitar controller and Metallica faceplate, while other regions received a solo edition.
The Thing That Should Not Be
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
The guest tracklist includes:
Alice in Chains - No Excuses
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Turn the Page (Live)
Corrosion of Conformity - Albatross
Diamond Head - Am I Evil?
Foo Fighters - Stacked Actors
Judas Priest - Hell Bent for Leather
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tuesday's Gone
Machine Head - Beautiful Mourning
Mastodon - Blood and Thunder
Michael Schenker Group - Armed and Ready
Motörhead - Ace of Spades
Samhain - Mother of Mercy
Social Distortion - Mommy's Little Monster (Live)
Suicidal Tendencies - War Inside My Head
System of a Down - Toxicity
The Sword - The Black River
Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back in Town
Metallica songs from the Death Magnetic album were incorporated into the game.