The plastic guitars are back out, the nostalgia is flowing, and Collin and Tom continue their journey to answer one of life’s most important questions: Which Guitar Hero game is the most metal?
In Part 8 of the series, the Influencers of Metal crew tackles Guitar Hero: Smash Hits, a unique entry in the franchise that acts as a “greatest hits album” for the series itself. Rather than introducing a new setlist, Smash Hits compiles 48 standout songs from earlier Guitar Hero games, remastered for modern consoles.
While the idea sounds simple, the metal representation in this collection raises plenty of discussion.
From the opening riff of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon” to thrash legends like Anthrax’s “Caught in a Mosh,” the episode revisits some of the most iconic songs that defined Guitar Hero gameplay. Collin and Tom also highlight the presence of heavy hitters like Slayer’s “Raining Blood,” Pantera’s “Cowboys From Hell,” and Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper.”
Of course, no Guitar Hero conversation would be complete without the ultimate test of patience and finger endurance: DragonForce’s “Through the Fire and Flames.” If you didn’t rage quit during the intro solo at least once, were you even playing Guitar Hero?
Beyond the metal staples, the episode also explores surprising inclusions, songs that had to be re-recorded specifically for the game, and how Smash Hits compares to the rest of the franchise when it comes to pure heaviness.
With one-third of the game’s soundtrack consisting of metal, Smash Hits makes a strong case for its place in the rankings. But does a compilation of past songs deserve to outrank games that built their own identities?
With the finish line approaching and only a few games left to evaluate, the debate is getting intense.
So, hit play to join in before the end!
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