Tim Hanlon at Gizmag has posted a lengthy piece on the hot topic of "Which band video game is best?" that's well worth a read if you're still making a decision.

There's no release date in sight, but the 20 free downloadable tracks you were promised on the back of the Rock Band 2 manual are one step closer to living on your console. Head over to RockBand.com to register.

If you're lucky enough to score a copy of Rock Band 2 ahead of its September 14 release date, it's good to know that Harmonix don't mind.

GameDaily sat down with Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos last week at E3 to talk about Rock Band 2, the competition, and whether there's room for multiple players in the genre.

You've probably already seen the E3 trailer for Rock Band 2, now you can watch it again in high definition.

PlayStation 3 owners might be bummed about the fact they're getting the game later than Xbox 360 owners, but it appears Harmonix is doing everything they can to make sure they don't end up with a lesser game as well. Dan Teasdale from Harmonix recently told Videogamer.com that the PS3 version of Rock Band 2 will support trophies and voice chat: "You're going to have voice chat, you're going to have complete integration with rockband.com, you're going to have trophies. We're going to make sure that PS3 gamers have just as great an experience."

Harmonix and MTV are going to great lengths to ease their customers transition to the upcoming Rock Band 2. First they announced compatibility with Rock Band DLC, now we learn of the ability to import "most" of the songs from the Rock Band disc for use in Rock Band 2 without disc swapping.

You've seen it before - four people playing Rock Band with a chorus of friends singing along behind them, when a tough section comes along and wipes everyone out. The music cuts out, the sing along is over and the band feel like dicks. Harmonix have seen it too, and added an unlockable No Fail Mode to Rock Band 2.

ION Audio has launched the official website for the Ion Drum Rocker, otherwise known as the Premium Drum Set for Rock Band and Rock Band 2. The drum kit includes two raised cymbals, a sturdy looking kick and a metal frame. The Xbox 360 version will arrive in mid-September at a whopping $300 price and you can pre-order one at the site if you're keen. PlayStation and Wii owners who aren't turned off by the price and still want a release date will have to cope with "we're working on it".

Amazon has opened pre-orders for the software-only version of Rock Band 2 for the Xbox 360, which is set for release on September 30, 2008. It'll set you back $59.99.

The Rock Band 2 E3 trailer has hit the interwebs, and it looks as if Harmonix is keeping up with their promise to perfect the formula. The video shows gameplay footage of Foo Fighters "Everlong" and showcases some colorful psychedelic effects that are a welcome change from the distinctly lo-fi look of the first game. The screenshots don't do it justice, so check the video out after the jump.

After much speculation, Harmonix recently revealed the official set list of Rock Band 2 to the press at E3. Of the 84 tracks in the game, only 9 are bonus tracks from lesser-known artists - and all of them utilize the original master recordings.