Master System Of A Down’s "Aerials" on Rocksmith 2014 Since its release as part of the System of a Down Song Pack on January 28, 2014, "Aerials" has remained one of the most sought-after tracks for Rocksmith 2014 players. This hauntingly ethereal anthem offers a unique blend of melancholic arpeggios and crushing heavy metal riffs, making it a perfect study in dynamic range for guitarists and bassists alike. Overview of the System of a Down Pack
The "Aerials" DLC was launched alongside two other SOAD juggernauts: "Toxicity" "B.Y.O.B."
While originally available for individual purchase at $2.99 or as a bundle for $7.99, it is important to note that Rocksmith 2014 and its associated DLC were delisted from digital storefronts in late 2023 due to expiring music licenses. For those who already own it, the track remains a cornerstone of the library. Technical Breakdown: Drop C Mastery
To play "Aerials," you must tune your instrument to Drop C (C G C F A D). This low tuning is essential for achieving the heavy, "wobbly" resonance that defines Daron Malakian’s signature sound. Key Techniques Featured:
Clean Arpeggios: The intro and verses utilize clean arpeggiated picking sequences. These are often considered the most challenging parts of the song, requiring precise fingerstyle or pick control to maintain a "droning" effect while the bass line moves underneath.
Heavy Power Chords: The chorus and bridge sections shift into high-gain territory, using syncopated 16th-note strumming patterns and simplified power chords that leverage the Drop C tuning.
Dynamic Articulation: Players must master palm muting (P.M.) and "let ring" sections to capture the song's "waterfall" flow. Learning with Rocksmith 2014 Tools
Rocksmith 2014 provides several "exclusive" ways to master this complex track that traditional tabs cannot match: Rocksmith 2014 System Of A Down - Aerials -EXCLUSIVE
"Just learned one of the most iconic songs on Rocksmith 2014 - 'Aerials' by System of a Down! This song is a fan favorite and for good reason - the guitar riffs are infectious and Armen's vocals are unforgettable. Does anyone else love playing this one on Rocksmith? Share your own experiences and tips for getting that perfect score! #Rocksmith #SystemOfADown #Aerials #GuitarGame"
The Rocksmith 2014 - System of a Down - "Aerials " DLC is a standout track for anyone looking to master drop-tuned heavy rock. Originally released in January 2014 as part of the System of a Down Song Pack, it remains a fan favorite for its moody atmosphere and satisfying, heavy riffs. Performance Review
Difficulty & Learning Curve: "Aerials" is widely considered accessible for intermediate players but offers enough nuance to keep advanced guitarists engaged. The lead track features the song's iconic, melodic intro and haunting arpeggios, while the rhythm track focuses on the heavy, syncopated power chords.
Bass Experience: The bass chart is surprisingly engaging, mirroring the guitar's heavy driving force while adding its own melodic weight during the choruses.
Authentic Tone: Like most official DLC, this track includes an "Authentic Tone" preset that accurately captures the raw, distorted, and slightly compressed sound Daron Malakian uses in the original recording.
Tuning: Be prepared to tune down; the song is played in Drop C (
). If you use a floating bridge guitar, this can be a hurdle, though many players use a DigiTech Drop Pedal to handle the pitch shift without physical retuning. Availability Status Master System Of A Down’s "Aerials" on Rocksmith
It is important to note that Rocksmith 2014 and its official DLC were delisted from digital storefronts starting in October 2023 due to expiring music licenses.
Because this is an exclusive community file and not an official Steam purchase, here is the safe workflow to avoid malware and corrupted saves.
You will need:
SOAD_Aerials_v3_p.psarcStep-by-Step:
Rocksmith2014\dlc folder.Aerials file into the DLC folder.Warning: Do not pay for this file. Exclusive means community-shared, not paywalled. Any website selling this CDLC is scamming you.
When you hit the first note of the exclusive track in Rocksmith, the game’s Riff Repeater illuminates a harsh truth: The verse is not power chords. It is a single-note melodic descent played on the A and D strings (which are tuned to F and C) .
The exclusive chart forces you to learn: How to Install the EXCLUSIVE "Aerials" CDLC (Safe
Because the custom charters had access to the raw multitracks, the note detection is ruthless. If you mute the B string during the solo, the game knows. This isn't Guitar Hero; this is a guitar lesson disguised as a game.
Since the official lesson is lost media, here is the exclusive Riff Rehab practice plan based on the leaked difficulty scaling.
Week 1: The Octave Shuffle Set Rocksmith to "Riff Repeater" mode. Slow the intro verse to 50% speed.
Week 2: The Slide Accuracy The exclusive chart marks specific slides as "Legato." You cannot re-pick the note.
Week 3: The Chorus Transition The hardest part of the official chart is the mute before the beat.
Final Boss: The Outro (03:00) The solo is not fast; it is phrased. The exclusive difficulty map lists this at 95% difficulty only because of the use of Unnatural Harmonics at the 2nd fret on the A string. If you don't know how to pinch harmonic on a dropped tuning, you will fail.
Why is "Aerials" such a big deal? System Of A Down is notoriously difficult to license for interactive media. Unlike the aggressive, drop-tuned palm muting of "Toxicity," "Aerials" offers a rare dichotomy: a soft, arpeggiated verse colliding with a crushing, pentatonic-heavy chorus.
The leaked Rocksmith 2014 arrangement confirms that Ubisoft San Francisco had completed a 100% authentic transcription for Lead, Rhythm, and Bass paths before the license was pulled by the label at the 11th hour.