Faking the Band is a weekly feature detailing the latest in downloadable content for Rock Band.

Many moons have passed since E3 2007, when Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos dropped a few Rock Band bombshells. Not only did he promise DLC every week after the title’s debut - so far, so good, gentlemen! - he also promised FULL ALBUM DOWNLOADS like The Who’s Who’s Next and Nirvana’s Nevermind. And then there was silence, which led quickly to confusion and ultimately despair as days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months without any further announcements or release dates.

Now the year is 2087, and mankind is on the brink of total impatience…

Alright, it hasn’t been that long. A few months at the most. And there’s been a treasure trove of singles and song packs released in the meantime.

But that hasn’t stopped Rock Band players from foaming at the mouth and convulsing in anticipation. Well, stop all that twitching! Get that thumb out of your mouth! All is not lost. Oh, no. Far from it.

The first full album hits next week. No, it isn’t Who’s Next, though the record was all-but-confirmed as the first album release in the months preceding. Something much better, in my humble opinion, is upon us. Something much more…what’s the word?

METAL.

Bust out your bullet belts and spiked gauntlets, gamers, because the classic Judas Priest album Screaming for Vengeance is headed to Xbox LIVE April 22 and the PS Store two days later.

Every song from the 1982 release will be available, and all are masters:

• The Hellion/Electric Eye
• Riding on the Wind
• Bloodstone
• (Take These) Chains
• Pain and Pleasure
• Screaming for Vengeance
• You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
• Fever
• Devil’s Child

The tracks can be purchased separately for 160 MS points each, or as a whole album for 1200 points.

If that’s not enough DLC joy for you, then listen up, because new albums are in the pipeline. The Cars’ self-titled debut record will be available in May, quickly followed in June by the Pixies’ Doolittle.

As for the Who? Well, Harmonix says “Stay tuned!” Try to hang in there. I know it’s tough.

Kotaku’s got a Q&A with Rigopulos up if you’re wondering why albums took so long, if 1200 points will be the standard album price, or what the release schedule will look like.