We here at Harmonix love everything about playlists. They can introduce you to new music from well-known artists and up-and-comers alike while revisiting some of the greatest songs of all time. Playlists are the mixtape of the modern age. Whether you’re at a house party, hanging with friends, or relaxing at home, playlists help set the mood. For Season 14, we wanted to celebrate the playlist so we teamed up with our friends at Apple Music to curate a special four week Rivals Season based on some of our favorite Apple Music playlists. Season 14 kicks off on Thanksgiving, a perfect time to pull your crew together and rally with friends and family. We have a set of exclusive Track Skins as rewards for crews that get to the Platinum tier and beyond. Because this is an abbreviated four week season, all crews will start in Gold – making this a great opportunity for everyone to compete for the Bloodstone prize!



Our playlist journey begins with Apple Music’s The Riff. Packed with today's biggest and best hard rock tunes, The Riff playlist is like a fantasy festival of modern metal heroes, classic rock revivalists, enduring icons, and sweat-soaked freshmen. This constantly evolving collection is the epitome of shredding. The Spotlight this week features newly playable songs from Dinosaur Pile-Up, HELLYEAH, and Of Mice & Men, all of which are available for purchase individually or as part of The Riff Pack. Filling out the challenge, many artists on The Riff playlist have playable songs already available in Rock Band, including The Black Keys, Bring Me The Horizon, Ghost, Green Day, Killswitch Engage, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Mötley Crüe, Papa Roach, Rammstein, Slipknot, Sum 41, and many more. We must say that the curators over at Apple Music have great taste! This week’s Challenge has you wielding your axe along with some of the best metal songs in our library.





Dinosaur Pile-Up has been piling up the accolades with their recent single, “Back Foot”. Taken from the English band’s fifth studio album Celebrity Mansions, “Back Foot” has become their biggest song to date, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. Heavily influenced by grunge and indie rock, singer/guitarist Matt Bigland has proved to be one of the most consistent songwriters in the UK. Along with drummer Mike Sheils and bassist Jim Cratchley, Dinosaur Pile-Up is proving that after a decade in the business, they’re just getting started.

For more info on Dinosaur Pile-Up, check out dinosaurpileup.com The site has links to hear Celebrity Mansions and their latest single “Back Foot”, updated tour dates(the band is wrapping up their Canadian leg before heading home for a string of UK gigs), and plenty of album bundles to pick up.



The title track from HELLYEAH’s most recent album Welcome Home is the next song pulled from The Riff playlist this week. HELLYEAH formed as a “supergroup” comprised of members of Mudvayne, Nothingface, Stone Sour, and other well-known bands, and burst out of the gates with their 2007 eponymous debut(which reached #9 on the Top 200 Album chart). The single “Welcome Home” preceded their Welcome Home album and became the band’s highest-charting song, reaching #4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. Buzz from the single helped propel the Welcome Home album to #2 on the Hard Rock Album Chart.

hellyeahband.com is the place to get up-to-date HELLYEAH news, cool merch, watch videos and find links to stream their latest album, Welcome Home, and the similarly titled single. The band is on tour through December so be sure to grab tickets when they come to rock your town.



This week we also have a new song from Rock Band stalwarts Of Mice & Men. “Taste of Regret”, from their sixth studio album EARTHANDSKY, showcases a band in their prime. Critics have hailed it as one of their strongest albums to date and a perfect blend of what OM&M fans have come to love. EARTHANDSKY has a heavier sound than its predecessor(Defy) with “Taste of Regret” being a prime example. Be sure to visit ofmiceandmenofficial.com for Of Mice & Men news, upcoming tour dates, merch, and more. While you’re there, follow the links to catch the music video for “Taste of Regret” and to hear EARTHANDSKY.



The Riff Pack can be purchased for $4.49 for the first two weeks of release. Following that two-week period, The Riff Pack can be purchased for $5.49. For the first two weeks of release, “Back Foot”, “Welcome Home”, and “Taste of Regret” can be purchased individually for $1.49. Following that two-week period, songs can be purchased individually for $1.99. These three songs are also featured in the Rock Band Rivals Apple Music Spotlight Pass which can be purchased for $15.99.



Dinosaur Pile-Up - "Back Foot" (Part of the Rock Band Rivals Apple Music Spotlight Pass )

) HELLYEAH - "Welcome Home" (Part of the Rock Band Rivals Apple Music Spotlight Pass )

) Of Mice & Men - "Taste of Regret" (Part of the Rock Band Rivals Apple Music Spotlight Pass)

VIDEO: Rock Band 4 DLC Week of 11/26: The Riff Pack!



* Please note that this week’s DLC tracks will be available for purchase on Tuesday, November 26th.