Various Artists - We Wish You A Metal Chistmas (Album)
It’s not very often that I actually find a novelty album funny. Usually the concept is amusing, but the execution leaves much to be desired. It was a very pleasant surprise to find We Wish You A Metal Christmas, a novelty Christmas album – a usually terrifying double whammy – to be not only well executed, but, dare I say it, actually enjoyable. Featuring metal royalty in the form of Alice Cooper, Lemmy (Motorhead), Ronnie James Dio and even a real rock star, Dave Grohl, these new versions of traditional Christmas carols are thoroughly professional and, while this certainly won’t be Great Aunt Ethel’s cup of tea, it just might be for the rest of the family, especially for a bit of a laugh after the eggnog has worn off.
Beginning with a great, fast-paced version of We Wish You A Merry Xmas, the album chalks up all the standard Christmas musical fare with barely a cringe in sight. Run Rudolph Run, featuring both Lemmy and Dave Grohl keeps its traditional blues guitar riff, but rocks in a way this song rarely does. Alice Cooper’s creepy introduction to Santa Claws Is Coming To Town is probably meant to be a bit tongue in cheek, but is hilarious nonetheless. Silver Bells featuring Geoff Tate (Queensryche) is enjoyable, as is Little Drummer Boy, featuring George Lynch and Billy Sheehan.
You may want to skip Silent Night, which is anything but, and sounds like the Cookie Monster may have been asked to contribute guest vocals. Deck The Halls starts with what in my opinion is the best opening riff of the whole album, contributed by Dio guitarist Craig Goldy, and the guitar throughout the song is equally as good. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer is amusing for the title, but the song is probably less amusing, and not a strong point of the album. Following track, Rocking Around The Christmas Tree is much more upbeat and accessible – this is actually a great version of this song, and has an awesome guitar solo smack bang in the middle of the track worth listening out for.
Winding down the album Happy Xmas (War Is Over) sounds like it has been accidentally included – there’s nothing very metal about this. It’s a great version, but Styx vocalist Tommy Shaw is the only highlight, with the rest of the track remaining mostly unimpressive – save for yet another awesome guitar solo about two and a half minutes in. Following track O Christmas Tree is the first one to feature a female vocalist – Doro Pesch – and is punchy and brash, but truth be told I hate this carol, so my opinion is somewhat tainted. That aside, the musicianship is top notch. Final track Auld Lang Syne is the only song performed by an actual group, all girl British metal group Girlschool, and the second featuring female vocals. It’s heavy, well performed, and totally metal – a great end to the album.
While probably a little late to grab this for the current festive season, keep it in mind for next Christmas or even a Christmas in July celebration – it might just end up being the talking point of the yuletide festivities. Rock on!
