Get Ready To Strum
Remember trying to play Guitar Hero on expert mode? You've probably screamed at the screen more than once. That's the beauty of Guitar Hero. It brings out the perfectionist in all of us, using nothing more than color-coded notes and one killer soundtrack. Let's look at the easiest and most brutally difficult Guitar Hero tracks of all time.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" Expert 100% FC (209,204) by A Wise Moose
1. I Love Rock And Roll (Guitar Hero)
Joan Jett's rebellious anthem opens the door for first-timers with a steady tempo and uncomplicated rhythm. It's used in the early stages of the game for good reason. The note patterns are clear and easy to track. Players can focus on timing without being overwhelmed by speed.
Guitar Hero in 4K - "I Love Rock & Roll" Expert 100% FC [PCSX2] by A Wise Moose
2. Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Guitar Hero III)
There's something oddly soothing about this classic. While the title dares you to prove yourself, the gameplay offers a smooth ride. Simple chord progressions repeat without surprises. It's the kind of track that helps you build confidence fast while keeping your score comfortably above average.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" Expert 100% FC (209,204) by A Wise Moose
3. Slow Ride (Guitar Hero III)
This is a pace-setter for beginners. Slow Ride gives your hands a chance to adjust and helps you maintain enough energy to keep things interesting. It introduces basic techniques without feeling like a tutorial. The consistent tempo also makes it easy to stay on the beat from start to finish.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Slow Ride" Expert 100% FC (221,898) by A Wise Moose
4. Sunshine Of Your Love (Guitar Hero III)
Cream's legendary riff repeats like clockwork, which makes it a dream for players still learning the basics. The song's tempo is neither too fast nor too slow. You're allowed to relax and memorize patterns. There's enough room to make mistakes and recover.
Sunshine Of Your Love | Cream | Guitar Hero 3 | Guitar | Expert 100% by edybtt Music
5. When You Were Young (Guitar Hero III)
This track feels approachable at first, but moves a little quicker than most beginner songs. Clocking in around 130 BPM, its tempo adds pressure even though the note patterns remain simple. It’s smoother than many mid-tier songs but slightly less forgiving than Slow Ride.
Guitar Hero 3 - "When You Were Young" Expert 100% FC (287,210) by A Wise Moose
6. Barracuda (Guitar Hero III)
Heart's hit powers through with sharp rhythms and noticeable consistency. It might sound fierce, but it plays with a sense of order. Players benefit from repetition in the main riff, and transitions are few. The challenge lies in keeping your timing.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Barracuda" Expert 100% FC (287,998) by A Wise Moose
7. Mississippi Queen (Guitar Hero III)
Built on bluesy swagger and clean note spacing, this song gives new players a break without feeling bored. The transitions are smooth, and the pattern is easy to memorize. You can enjoy the rhythm without feeling overwhelmed.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Mississippi Queen" Expert 100% FC (129,862) by A Wise Moose
8. Lay Down (Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80s)
Lay Down doesn't waste time with tricks or tempo shifts. Instead, it relies on a steady pattern that lets you find your groove early. Once the rhythm clicks, your fingers naturally follow along. The track is engaging enough to feel rewarding but easy enough to remain accessible.
GUITAR HERO ENCORE: ROCKS THE 80S by Layth's Guitar Hero Archive
9. Bulls On Parade (Guitar Hero III)
This one stays on the easy list, but it moves faster than it seems. With a tempo of 166 BPM, Bulls On Parade demands a little more focus to stay on beat. The chart remains simple, but maintaining the rhythm keeps it interesting.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Bulls on Parade" Expert 100% FC (289,895) by A Wise Moose10. My Name Is Jonas in Guitar Hero III
Despite its brisk pace, the chart offers straightforward patterns and clean repetition. You won't find any unpredictable solos or strange transitions. Overall, it's a satisfying blend of open notes and well-timed strums that reward practice and rhythm over reflex.
Guitar Hero 3 - "My Name Is Jonas" Expert 100% FC (362,250) by A Wise Moose
So far, the setlist's been kind. But don't get too comfortable. The next tracks won't just test your timing, they'll make your fingers question their life choices.
1. Through The Fire And Flames (Guitar Hero III)
DragonForce's speed-metal barrage starts aggressively and never lets up. The intro alone causes many to fail before reaching the chorus. Each section pushes players to their limit, demanding flawless timing and lightning-fast reflexes that challenge even the most skilled.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Through The Fire and Flames" Expert 100% FC (988,582) by A Wise Moose
2. One (Guitar Hero III)
Metallica's ballad lures you in with a calm intro before flipping the tempo halfway through. That shift changes everything. Sudden bursts of rapid-fire notes and tricky hammer-ons test your reaction time. It's deceptive by design, forcing you to switch styles and adapt.
Guitar Hero 3 - "One" Expert 100% FC (660,409) by A Wise Moose
3. Raining Blood (Guitar Hero III)
This Slayer classic is notorious for a reason. The opening Mosh 1 section is chaos in digital form, with scattered notes that defy rhythm and require strict muscle memory. The breakdown offers no relief. Even experienced players flinch when this track appears on expert difficulty.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Raining Blood" Expert 100% FC (356,343) by A Wise Moose
4. The Devil Went Down To Georgia (Guitar Hero III DLC)
Unlike most tracks, this one wasn't made for a real guitar. It's a cover by Steve Ouimette that rewrites the fiddle battle into a flurry of unnatural patterns and brutal tempo changes. Every second tests timing and speed.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" Expert 100% FC (209,204) by A Wise Moose
5. Knights Of Cydonia (Guitar Hero III)
Muse's track never slows down. From the galloping intro to its relentless rhythm shifts, it leaves no space to rest. Even skilled players tense up during sustained chords and rapid transitions. Precision is everything here, and missing one note can destroy a long combo in seconds.
Guitar Hero 3 - Knights of Cydonia - Expert 100% FC by TheGmodIL
6. Jordan (Guitar Hero II)
Written specifically for Guitar Hero by Buckethead, this track was meant to push boundaries. The intro is frantic, but it's the solo section that turns players into spectators. Complex finger movements and unpredictable timing combine into one of the most overwhelming sequences.
Guitar Hero 2 - "Jordan" Expert 100% FC (501,358) by A Wise Moose
7. Cult Of Personality (Guitar Hero III)
The intro may not scare you, but it's a false sense of security. Vernon Reid's solos arrive without mercy, packed with sharp changes in speed and rhythm. You're constantly switching between strumming styles. It demands versatility and near-perfect muscle memory to score high or even survive.
Cult Of Personality | Living Colour | Guitar Hero 3 | Guitar | Expert 100% by edybtt Music
8. Cliffs Of Dover (Guitar Hero III)
This song is beautiful and brutal at the same time. Eric Johnson's guitar work translates into lightning-fast pull-offs and intricate note groupings. There's almost no repetition, which means you can't rely on memory. Even a slight hesitation sends your performance crashing halfway through.
Guitar Hero 3 - "Cliffs Of Dover" Expert 100% FC (323,762) by A Wise Moose
9. Free Bird (Guitar Hero II)
It starts slow, fooling you into thinking it belongs on the easy list. But wait long enough, and the tempo spikes. In the last few minutes, the game throws nonstop patterns your way. You're expected to switch styles mid-song.
Guitar Hero 2 - "Free Bird" Expert 100% FC (636,342) by A Wise Moose
10. Battery (Guitar Hero: Metallica)
Metallica’s Battery opens hard and rarely eases up. The relentless speed and note variety punish hesitation. While it offers minimal breaks, it never truly lets you rest. It’s one of the game’s toughest, though War Ensemble ultimately claims the top spot in brutality.
Guitar Hero Metallica - "Battery" Expert Guitar 100% FC (509,027) by A Wise Moose
