Reviews
'Metal Xmas' CD gives a unique twist to holiday classics
Date published: 12/11/2008
BY SUSANNAH PHILLIPS
"We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year" is a highly entertaining album. The metal versions of classic Christmas songs maintain the original lyrics, yet have occasional pauses for epic guitar solos.
"Metal Xmas" features well-known artists such as Alice Cooper, Ronnie James Dio, Dave Grohl, Tony Iommi and Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, among others.
Along with traditional Christmas songs "Silver Bells," "Deck the Halls" and "Rockin' Around the Xmas Tree," the CD features more comical songs. One such funny song is "Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer," which has been sung by children for years, much to the annoyance of adults everywhere.
"Santa Claus Is Back in Town" is reminiscent of Spinal Tap's "Christmas with the Devil," both in terms of overall theme and cheesy background vocals.
Alice Cooper's "Santa Claws is Coming to Town" makes it a point to spell out "claws" twice during the song and, of course, to "Break all the toys/ Make some noise/ Party all night long / Sing this song."
The concept of the album is intriguing, and this comes through in several of the songs. After hearing Ronnie James Dio's "Holy Diver," it is fascinating to hear him sing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." And the death-metal-style cover of "Silent Night," complete with Chuck Billy's guttural vocals, is quite ironic.
Overall, this album is definitely a success. It includes a wide range of different types of heavy metal. It will please die-hard fans of the genre--yet it still is lighthearted enough to avoid spoiling the holiday mood. I would recommend this album for any and all who enjoy Christmas music played fast and loud, with electric guitars, heavy bass and ferocious vocals.
Susannah Phillips is a student at the University of Mary Washington.
Date published: 12/11/2008
Most recent reader comments:
You can get this on eMusic
(posted by
SkiBumMSP
, Dec. 11, 2008 9:11 am)
You can sample and get this on eMusic. I've listened to it and thought it was pretty cool. Definitely a unique take on "traditional" Xmas music, especially for those of us that are in the headbanging set.
Might have to buy this
(posted by
dmine45
, Dec. 11, 2008 5:44 am)
Might have to buy this CD to go along with my other metal CDs. I like Christmas, I like heavy metal. Hopefully this is a nice blend without the cliches.
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