Over the past year since the inception of the Rock Band Network, we’ve been hard at work bringing some of the most exciting artists, labels, and music to the Rock Band platform, and to date have released more songs than any other authoring group, with over 230 songs available for purchase in Rock Band 2 and Rock Band 3, from world-famous artists to emerging talent.

With the launch of the Rock Band Network 2.0 on the way, we here at RockGamer Studios are committed to continuing our releases of top-quality RBN content for fans of envelope-pushing music. Between the mixture of returning favorites and exciting new acts, we’re certain you’ll be sure to find something you love. And with the addition of playable keys, vocal harmonies, and pro drums, players have more of a chance than ever to be closer to the music they download.

Today, we’re proud to announce the first batch of confirmed RBN 2.0 content coming your way over the next few months from RockGamer Studios. With over 25 songs currently undergoing playtesting on the Creators.RockBand.Com site, you can look forward to these songs being available for download in the Rock Band 3 Music Store on Xbox 360 in the near future! And with many more currently in development, there’s going to be a large amount of RB3-compatible content heading your way all year long.

The full list of our first wave of songs in playtesting can be found after the jump. Be sure to click through to the song detail pages for more info, including sound clips and preview videos where applicable.

ACTION ACTION:

• “Masters of Puppet Rock“
  Indie/electronica group ACTION ACTION brings you “Masters of Puppet Rock” from their 2010 album THE ONES WHO GET IT ARE THE ONES WHO NEED NOT TO KNOW. Courtesy of SONGSpub.

AMBERIAN DAWN:

• “Dreamchaser“
  The all-instrumental “Dreamchaser”, a bonus track taken from the Japanese release of the “River of Tuoni” album, is easily one of the most challenging songs in Amberian Dawn’s repertoire. With three guitar solos, two keyboard solos, and a brutal, non-stop, frenetic pace to the track, this symphonic power metal monster will certainly challenge all that attempt to keep up with it! To be available in both regular and “2x Bass Pedal” editions.
• “Lost Soul“
  Another fantastic track taken from Amberian Dawn’s second full-length album, ‘The Clouds of Northland Thunder’, “Lost Soul” has plenty of fun instrumental parts, and for the first time, charted harmonies and keys as well!
• “My Only Star“
  Taken from Amberian Dawn’s debut album, “River of Tuoni”, “My Only Star” shows a softer side of this beloved symphonic metal group with this powerful downtempo ballad.
• “Passing Bells“
  “Passing Bells” is the eighth song off Finnish symphonic metal band Amberian Dawn’s 2008 debut album, “River of Tuoni”. A dark, slow, dirge-like march with haunting lyrics and ice-cold instrumentation, this sees AD at their most gothic.
• “The Curse“
  Finnish symphonic power metallers Amberian Dawn are back on the Rock Band Network with another track from their 2008 debut album, “River of Tuoni”! “The Curse” is more of everything that’s great about the band, from Heidi’s operatic vocals to the intense, chugging guitar work, with Tuomas’ keyboards taking center stage during the solo section.
• “Willow of Tears“
  A poignant track from Amberian Dawn’s second album, 2009′s “The Clouds of Northland Thunder”, “Willow of Tears” is a keys-driven ballad and a masterpiece of the band’s compositional and lyrical skills.

ANAMANAGUCHI:

• “Airbrushed“
  Anamanaguchi makes loud, fast music with a hacked NES from 1985. “Airbrushed” is the band’s lead single from their 2010 Summer Singles series, and a free MP3 of the tune can be downloaded for free from their website… freely.

BURNING TWILIGHT:

• “The Resolve of Cowards“
  Burning Twilight: An image of something delicate and beautiful, yet powerful and destructive. Since their start in the Spring of 2007 Burning Twilight puts every ounce of passion and love they have into their music and performance, living up to their name. With haunting melody lines, intense lyrics, and brutal riffs, they add a fresh and unique element to the “melodic hardcore” genre. Originating from the small town of Centralia Washington, they know firsthand the importance of a dedicated fan base. Without the support of their friends and fans, they wouldn’t be where they are now. Their EP “Foundations” is dedicated to everyone that had shared the stage with them in the past, and all of those whose support helped them pursue their dreams. “The Resolve of Cowards” is taken from the band’s latest EP, “The Reckoning”. To be available in both regular and “2x Bass Pedal” editions. Courtesy of BlkHeart Group.

CHILD OF GLASS:

• “Fame is Free (feat. Suela)“
  Child of Glass is a project formed by Canadian producer Luca Colonnese. Their debut single for the Rock Band Network, “Fame is Free”, is an infectious piece of danceable techno-pop at 100 BPM, with sensual female vocals in the choruses provided by the guest vocalist Suela.

THE COLD GOODNIGHT:

• “Hurricane“
  The third track on the band’s debut EP, ‘Werewolves & Red Lights’, “Hurricane” is probably the happiest-sounding song about a personified natural disaster you will ever hear in your life.
• “Revenants“
  The fourth track on the band’s debut EP, ‘Werewolves & Red Lights’, “Revenants” brings a darker, grungier side of The Cold Goodnight to the forefront. Meri’s sorrowful vocals atop a bonechilling bass intro are merely a prelude to the hard-edged rock contained within.

CYLEW:

• “Familiar“
  CyLeW self-released her debut album “Not So Sleeping, Not So Beauty” in 2008 with the help of producer Arnaud Bascuñana, guitar player Mathieu Zub and drummer Nicolas T. She is a French singer-songwriter who grew up in California up to the age of 14 when she followed her mother back to Paris, France after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. It is at that time that she started a great interest in rock music and the Cranberries being a trigger to her urge of songwriting. Her influences spread from Tori Amos and PJ Harvey’s raw poetical forces to Placebo’s, Radiohead’s, Portishead’s experimentations. Her debut album is filled with easy to listen songs yet they deal with deep emotional journeys that anyone could relate to. Her versatile voice switching from angelic to anger-stricken reflects the panel of the emotional songwriting and interpretation she is comfortable with.

GRYND RODD MUSE:

• “Blood and Scars“
  South Africa’s Grynd Rodd Muse writes simple songs about complex things: Love, family, home and the evil that men do. Phrases turn, emotions connect, and melodies soar. You sing along even though you have never heard the tune before. GRM writes from personal experience of interludes of lovers and lives and the roads that lead from small towns to big cities. “Blood & Scars” is taken from the band’s 2010 album, “Bloodline”.

HIP KITTY:

• “Stuck in a Rut“
  Just who is Hip Kitty anyway? They are an explosive, four-piece rock band with a five-foot-eleven-inch blonde bombshell whose vocals are as commanding as her sexy looks. Combine her with the band’s tight rhythm and harmonies––and incredible songs––and you have an electrifying combination that excites and mesmerizes audiences everywhere. Who is Hip Kitty? They are all-American, sexy-ass rock! “Stuck in a Rut” is taken from the band’s 2008 album, “The Art of War”.

I AM CASSETTES:

• “The Exit“
  Forming early in 2010, I Am Cassettes may be a new name on the street, but their past musical endeavors give them over a decade’s worth of experience. Singer/Songwriter Josh Paschke started I Am Cassettes as a solo acoustic project before adding bassist Kevin Garcia into the mix. The duo, which both come from Metal and Hardcore backgrounds knew that they had found their own niche outside of a scene that was growing stale and continued to grow the project. With the recording of their debut EP “Lovers and Liars”, Darren Garcia (Drums) and Jon Levario (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals) were made permanent members of the band. I Am Cassettes has made tremendous progress in the past year, gaining a very loyal fan base and continuing to advance their sound. “The Exit” is taken from their 2010 release, “Lovers and Liars”. Courtesy of BlkHeart Group.

KINGS QUEENS AND FAIRYTALES:

• “Fallen Into You“
  Kings Queens & Fairytales (KQF) is a ROCK outfit from the land of Oz that personifies quality, passion and intensity in a new age format. Their music is often described as Nordic Rock with a pop / techno / industrial flavour, we like to call it Electro-Rock. Jamie Lindsay: Vox / Bass, Sam Vincent: Guitar / Vox, Dave Ferry: Drums, S’aint William: Bass. Kings Queens & Fairytales have released their debut E.P “Once Upon A Time” which is availble to buy in the KQF store or on iTunes.

MORTICE:

• “Mayhem“
  Mortice is a project created by John O’Leary (ex-Gunslingers) and Billy Rankin (ex-Nazareth). Blending styles which range from metal to soft rock, Mortice mix the sounds of the seventies with modern rock to create a style that is very fresh and guaranteed to make you sit up and listen. “Mayhem” is the title track from the band’s debut album, exclusively released here with the original vocal performance by Billy Rankin. Guitarists, check the absolutely shredding guest solo from Graham Lane!

MURDER FM:

• “Machine Gun Kisses“
  Dallas, Texas-based industrial rock group MURDER FM makes their Rock Band Network debut with their brand new single, “Machine Gun Kisses”. A hard and heavy stomper, the band’s myriad of influences can be heard in this track, from Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson to Motley Crue and Guns ‘n’ Roses. To be available in both regular and “2x Bass Pedal” editions.

NIGHTSHADE:

• “The Depths of Memory“
  Bullet Tooth is excited to announce the signing of NightShade! The label’s first ever band from France will release their new album “Lost In Motion” this Spring followed by a lengthy US tour. Though the band is located in France, NightShade’s singer, Wayne Hudspath, is actually from Ohio. The new album featuring the songs “Rebellion”, “The Depths of Memory”, and “A Dream, A Choice, A War” is crushingly heavy but with a spellbinding melodic structure. NightShade’s new material has been compared to At The Gates and Children Of Bodom with a contemporary twist. To be available in both regular and “2x Bass Pedal” editions. Courtesy of Bullet Tooth.

A SILENT FILM:

• “You Will Leave a Mark“
  A Silent Film’s brilliant debut CD, “The City That Sleeps”, is already creating a huge buzz. The band’s first single, “You Will Leave A Mark” seems truly set to leave its mark — having reached #1 on the Sirius XM Alt Nation playlists, this powerful keys-driven track has been blowing up! The record is deep, rich and cinematic and has been compared to everything from Coldplay to Death Cab For Cutie. Courtesy of Bieler Bros. Records.

STRETFORD END:

• “Stay Awake“
• “Suffer“
  Formed in January of 2009 in Berkeley, California, STRETFORD END quickly built up a strong local following with their explosively intense live performances and were soon selling out shows in Berkeley and San Francisco, CA. In March 2009, the band relocated to Hollywood, California and just a few short weeks later, found themselves playing at legendary venues The Roxy, The Viper Room, The Knitting Factory and The Troubadour. They also caught the attention of producer Gus Cryns (The Academy Is, Panic! At The Disco) who helped produce and record their next EP, “Prelude”, which was released on iTunes Worldwide, Rhapsody, Amazon, Napster and eMusic in May 2010. “Suffer” is the powerful lead track from the EP, while “Stay Awake” is a heavy ballad.

TESSERACT:

• “Deception – Concealing Fate Part Two“
  Tech-heads will often focus on the quintet’s time signatures and musical complexity, but TesseracT is far from an exclusionary exercise in tech metal pomposity. They fully embrace their experimental, prog sensibility without excessive indulgence or pretentiousness, delivering atmospheric, metallic songs that stir strong emotions and evoke powerful mental images. All of which, they argue, are at the core surprisingly simple. Courtesy of Century Media Records.

TIMELESS MIRACLE:

• “Curse of the Werewolf“
  The Swedish speed power-metal act “Timeless Miracle” was formed in 2001 by Mikael Holst & Fredrik Nilsson. In August 2004 the production began on their debut album “Into the Enchanted Chamber” with RoastingHouse famous producers Anders “Theo” Theander (Majestic, Pain of Salvation, Last Tribe) and Pontus Lindmark. The album delivers mystic medieval tales from the Nordic countries in a perfect blend of metal, folklore, classic, great melodies and fantasy. “Curse of the Werewolf” is the album’s opening track, a 7-minute opus and ode to lycanthropy. To be available in both regular and “2x Bass Pedal” editions. Courtesy of pigFACTORY.

WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY:

• “The Mettle of a Man“
  NJ-based six-piece WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY melds the aggressiveness of metalcore with impressive technical and compositional skills. Their second song for Rock Band Network, “The Mettle of a Man” (taken from the band’s debut, ‘Empires’), combines heavy, powerful riffs with a strong message! Courtesy of CI Records.

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