Battery by Metallica

Fans can (and will) argue about when Metallica lost it, gained it or got it back. But there’s no doubting that the thrash-metal era of the first three albums is considered a golden age for the band: Original bassist Cliff Burton was still in place, the psychodramas were years away and the band was ready to take on the world.

A longtime concert-opener (and a recurring part of their live set for decades), “Battery” obviously refers to kicking some butt. Yet the title is also a tribute to Battery Street in San Francisco, home of Metallica stomping ground the Old Waldorf Club.

“Battery” led off the momunental Master of Puppets album—early copies of which came with a parental-warning sticker listing all the nasty words that weren’t on the record.

Metallica isn't the only band in Rock Band to play and record this song. Dream Theater played it live and released it on an official bootleg.

Fear not, this one’s brutal. And don’t get too comfortable because the guitar part opens with a manageable, acoustic bit; once Kirk Hammett’s solos kick in you’ll be screaming for mercy.

Likewise, the drum part has lots of speed, lots of multiple kicks, lots of right-hand maneuvers. According to one of our playtesters, “Your tendons are going to be screaming, your forearm is going to hate you. And the guitar solos are uncalled for, they’re just mean.”

We suggest a warmup and a good cardiovascular workout beforehand.

Everywhere that is metal.