For the 20th Anniversary of the football franchise that has sold over 70 million units worldwide, EA Sports is offering gamers more songs and more original artists than ever before. Madden NFL 09, which ships August 12, will feature 26 songs from some of the biggest bands in music, as well as some of the hottest bands of tomorrow.

"I love that the annual announcement of the artists featured on the game's new soundtrack has become as much of an event as the unveiling of the game software itself," said Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music and marketing, Electronic Arts. "We probably considered 4000+ songs before deciding on the final 26 tracks. It was certainly the largest batch of candidates we've ever taken on. But for the 20th Anniversary, we wanted to create a definitive soundtrack that would be a combination of returning classic Madden acts, ass-kicking new bands and some very cool surprises from hip-hop to hardcore and beyond."

"Madden is the foundation of what we do, and sets the standard for every soundtrack we create."

Twelve of the artists featured in Madden NFL 09 are brand new, including The Fashion, In Flames, Innerpartysystem, Rev Theory and MySpace breakouts Hollywood Undead and Mindless Self Indulgence. From First to Last is signed to EA's Artwerk label, and has spent the summer on the Warped Tour proving that they may be the best post-hardcore band in North America today, according to Schnur.

"K'Naan is a Somali artist we discovered a few years ago for our FIFA '06 soundtrack," said Schnur. "Based on that exposure, he was signed to A&M is now working with The Marleys in Jamaica on an amazing new album. Kovas, Kardinal Offishall featuring Lindo P., Wale featuring Southeast Slim, and Timbaland's new protege Izza Kizza further represent breakthrough Hip-Hop. And we believe that this time next year, Tyga and Kidz In The Hall will be true Hip-Hop superstars."

Among the returning artists are Shinedown, Senses Fail, Disturbed and the Artwerk rockers Airborne. EA first introduced Underoath on Madden '07, and they went on to have a #1 album. Franz Ferdinand and Gym Class Heroes are both back with great new pre-album release tracks. Schnur added that although these are the first appearances by Disturbed and The Offspring, they are exactly the kind of superstar acts that will always have a home on Madden.

"This is also our biggest number of debut tracks ever in a Madden soundtrack," said Schnur. "Franz Ferdinand, Gym Class Heroes, All-American Rejects, Underoath, Trivium, Senses Fail, Hollywood Undead, K'Naan, and Young Dre/Good Charlotte are all debuts. It's the first time you'll hear these songs anywhere. In fact, the track from All-American Rejects is so new that we're using a demo version that the band begged us to use rather than be left out of the game."

Over the past seven years, EA Trax has pushed the envelope of video game music and Madden is considered the pinnacle of this convergence between music and games.

"Madden is the foundation of what we do, and sets the standard for every soundtrack we create," said Schnur. "What we've accomplished at EA – with Madden as its linchpin – is nothing short of revolutionary: Not only have we changed the gaming culture forever, but we've moved the needle musically for millions of people around the world. In terms of its legacy, Madden will always be recognized as the game that made the music matter."