The storyline of Guitar Hero: Metallica follows a band that wants to become a leading act by following in the footsteps of Metallica and becoming part of their tour. The gameplay includes band career modes for single or multiple players, competitive modes online, and various instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.
The gameplay features 28 master recordings and 21 additional songs, with performances rated with stars. Players must complete sets of songs to progress and unlock new sets. The game also includes a Drum Mode, where players can create new rhythms without an existing drum track, and the Battle mode, which has been updated with Metallica influences for power-ups.
The Guitar Hero: Metallica edition was released on March 29th, 2009, exclusively in Europe packaged with a guitar controller and Metallica faceplate. Pre-order bonuses included custom drumsticks and a second bass pedal.
The tracklist includes all 28 Master recordings from the Death Magnetic album, as well as additional songs selected by the band. The guest tracklist features over 30 tracks from various artists, including Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, Judas Priest, and many more.