And just like that this year comes to an end, and with it, of course, the holidays, and one in particular that comes full of many happy songs. Of course, this being a rock and metal website, I chose 10 songs to celebrate Christmas but with a different tone.
Blind Guardian – Merry Xmas Everybody (Slade cover)
A few days before Christmas 2020 and after celebrating the anniversary of Imaginations From The Other Side, the bards gave us this cover of the 60s band Slade with a funny video in which they looked like the glam band.
Twisted Sister – Oh Come All Ye Faithful
If you want a twisted Christmas, this band released an entire album of classic Christmas songs in 2006, but in metal versions.
King Diamond – No Presents For Christmas
The Danish heavy metal singer wrote a classic metal Christmas song that is part of his live album In Concert 1987: Abigail. The song starts with a piece of Jingle Bells and ends with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and in between has KD’s evil laugh and a super fast-paced heavy metal song in the middle with Andy LaRocque’s amazing guitar work.
The Danish heavy metal singer wrote a classic metal Christmas song that is part of his live album In Concert 1987: Abigail. The song starts with a piece from Jingle Bells and ends with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and in the middle, it has King Diamond’s evil laugh and a super fast-paced heavy metal song with stunning guitar work from Andy LaRocque.
The Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)
One of the most famous “alternative” Christmas songs is this classic by the punk rock band The Ramones, which is about not fighting on this day, celebrating, and keeping peace even if it’s just for one day.
Dokken – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
This cover has a great riff and solo, like any Dokken song. I know I’m biased, but they’re one of my favorite bands.
August Burns Red – Carol of the Bells
This American metalcore band formed in 2003 released a full instrumental album of Xmas songs in 2012, August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin’ Hill.
Ice Nine Kills – Merry Axe-Mas
The American metal band often sings about horror-inspired themes, such as movies, and has highly produced videos. This song is based on the 1984 horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Wham – Last Christmas
Being a huge fan of the 80s and also the late George Michael, a Christmas song list cannot be complete without my favorite Christmas song, this super classic.
Lacuna Coil – Naughty Christmas
The Italian gothic metal band has this song about an evil Christmas, remembering the Nordic tale of Krampus, a demon who comes at Christmas to take away children who misbehave. He is the counterpart of Santa Claus.
Patient67 – Little Drummer Boy
The Australian metalcore band has many Christmas covers, but this is one of my favorites.
*Bonus tracks
Mariah Carey couldn’t be missing from this list, but since it is a song that is heard frequently, I picked Patient67’s version.
————— And after all these songs, the only thing left to say is…. Have a Merry Rocker Christmas!