Electronic Arts, Gibson Guitar and Hard Rock International have joined forces to launch a Europe-wide music competition to find a band that will feature on a future Burnout game! As a bonus, the band will also get an ultimate guitar package from Gibson Guitar.

"To enter, unsigned bands can upload their original song into the Burnout Bandslam website on http://www.burnoutbandslam.com. A panel of independent judges will choose four bands per country to compete at the national finals at Hard Rock Cafés in Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Manchester (UK) throughout September and have a chance to win a Gibson Guitar prize package.

The four regional finalists will then join the European final at the Hard Rock Café in Barcelona on 5th October where they will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to play live in front of top A&Rs from the European music scene. The winner of the competition will be whisked off to a recording studio where their track will be professionally recorded and finally get an opportunity to be included in a future Burnout game."

"We are excited for the bands who will sign up to be part of this fantastic opportunity", says Jan Bolz, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing EA Europe. "The Burnout franchise lends itself perfectly to this kind of involvement from European music bands - entertaining, racy and edgy. The winner will help us bring breakthrough music to a worldwide audience."

"Hard Rock was founded on spreading the culture of rock 'n' roll, and this unique 'battle of the bands' is the perfect way to continue this pursuit," says Sean Dee, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. "Hard Rock International Gibson Guitar and EA share a commitment to launching and supporting new music talent, and we're excited to host this cutting edge event in our cafes throughout Europe."

"Gibson Guitar has always supported emerging artists around the globe," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "The Burnout Bandslam competition reinforces our commitment to providing the best instruments to all musicians who are out to achieve their ultimate dream of getting their music played."