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Full Metal Christmas: 2019 Edition

John Reinhold | December 25, 2019

Topics: Amarna Reign, August Burns Red, Full Metal Christmas, funny Christmas videos, Ice Nine Kills, Jake Holland, Korn, Psychostick, SLAYER, Wham

Our own John Reinhold gets a big kick out of finding and rocking out to heavy metal Christmas songs every holiday season. Here’s his latest collection of horns-up holiday anthems to spice up your Yuletide.

We have been doing these Metal Christmas rundowns for a few years now. They always bring me a lot of joy, as I find some of the best metal versions of Christmas tunes. Having already been pelted in the brain with Christmas music for over a month in stores and all over the place, its nice to add some metal to the equation. We are already bleeding from the ears, so let’s kick it up a notch and make it better.  

To be truthful, when beginning my dig into this years selection I thought it was played out, and I would not find any new music worth mentioning. I thought it might be the same old crap, or just a pointless search for lesser-known stuff that is only halfway decent. Boy was I wrong! This year delivers some fine new additions. So grab your Krampus mask and black Santa hat, put up your horns, and let’s dig in. Happy Metal Christmas everyone!!

🤘

It should come as no surprise I’m staring it off with the recently retired Slayer!!  

Wham! & Slayer – Last Christmas / Angel Of Death

It’s so good I’m not even sure I have to say anything here. It’s near perfect. Restored me faith in humanity. If your playing along in the Wham! Christmas game I think this means you lost, but I’m not actually sure. This shows up on my radar early and really drove this year’s list for me. I love it. 

Korn – Jingle Balls

This is not Korn, not at all. And it’s also not “Jingle Bells” exactly as we know it. But it’s awesome, and its death metal. In no way does this even sound like Korn — I believe that’s the parody and joke. [Believe it or not, John/everyone, this actually is Korn — it was recorded during the Follow The Leader sessions and released exclusively on an Australian promo CD. –music-nerd ed.]

Regardless I think it’s pretty awesome on its own. Would be a great addition to a metal caroler band. I bet that would be a hit. Going house to house knocking on the door and being like “hey, we came to do a song,” then go into this. Someone needs to do this.   

Jake Holland’s Metalcore Interruptions

Below you will find metalcore interruption videos from Jake Holland. Every Christmas for the past few years, he’s done a set, and they always are amazing- I watch them multiple times. Last year’s was my favorite, with the Charlie Brown tree part and when he’s in the Christmas present bag. Classic stuff here, and even my kids love it. Selection below: 

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017

Ice Nine Kills – Merry Axe-Mas (NSFW)

I found this through Jake’s vidoes this year and thought it was worth a mention. The video is crazy. Like, I don’t know if I can explain it, so just watch it if you can handle.  

Amarna Reign – Black Christmas 

Love the intro and start on this one; it grows on me after every listen. See, a lot of these songs are kinda kooky and funny. This one I actually feel is pretty amazing – gonna bump this one around the tree. 

August Burns Red – Carol of the Bells 

Fine version here of the song, and a little more metal than other versions I have heard. What I really like is no vocals, cause I kept thinking they were gonna happen and be all emo. But this is solid enough. 

Punk Goes Christmas – Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

So it’s kinda punkish, metal/metalcore… I’m not sold on it. I either hate it or really like it. It’s like Star Wars — I have not made up my mind. So, you tell me — what do you think? 

Slayer Christmas Songs 

Slayer Christmas spoof in full effect. As you know, I love some Slayer, so yeah, here ya go! 

Psychostick – Zombie Claus

It’s a Santa Dracula parody. Yep — it had to happen, and rightfully so. It’s campy and cheesy, and has cats in it. Enjoy. 

Deathcore Santa – Jingle Hell (NSFW)

We leave you with this as our final song and video for this Christmas. It’s simple in its execution, and effective. This one gets to the point right away. Not a great song for the kids, but it’s a classic for the older metal crowd. Now…. Let it SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

Top Image via Zach Campbell/The Bolgia

Full Metal Christmas: Redux

John Reinhold | December 24, 2018

Topics: Ariana Grande, Christmas songs, Christopher Lee, death metal, Frog Leap Studios, Full Metal Christmas, Immortal Christmas, Jingle Bells, Jonathan Young, Lemmy, Mariah Carey, Metalocalypse, Michael Buble, Phil Anselmo, SLAYER, The Nutcracker, Twisted Sister

This Christmas, for those in the spirit, we bring you a new installment of Full Metal Christmas. Once again, we dug up some of the best metal Christmas tunes we could find to get you through these holidays. So keep the eggnog flowing, put these on 11, and enjoy!

Lets start this off right…

Death Metal, Cats, and Christmas

Death Metal, Cats, and Christmas. What else do you want? I mean, that pretty much sums this up.

Ariana Grande & Michael Buble’s wonderful death metal “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”

What a good bit of Christmas cheer this brings. I was not aware of Ariana’s crushing vocals and depth. I love Buble’s very nonchalant jazz-like delivery; it brings in a whole new perspective to stage presence in the metal scene. These two are onto something big, and I can’t wait to see what they bring us on their upcoming metal album, Christmas & Die, in 2019.

“Heavy Metal Christmas,” by Twisted Sister

Truth be told, Dee Snider loves some Christmas. There is a plethora of Twister Sister Christmas tunes you can find out there. This one has them going makeup-free and doing their take on the classic “12 Days of Christmas.” The list is pretty good list overall – very classic metal. A worthy addition to your metal Christmas.

Slayer’s Nutcracker

It just would not be Christmas without Slayer — they always must be involved. I think this might be my favorite of all the current finds. It cracks me up to no end, and is pretty amazing how well it fits. I hope this is our new Nutcracker – maybe Slayer and Tom can make this a real thing and do it live. We can always dream about it, ask Santa for it, or possibly sacrifice a few goats and make it happen.

“Last Christmas” by Leo Moracchioli

Plenty of people can’t stand this song. But, this is a pretty great cover by Leo from Frog Leap Studios. For his videos, he records and mixes everything on his own, and the results are pretty cool. The highlight here is the zipper solo — classic and well done! Check out his other vids on YouTube.

Jonathan Young’s metal cover of “Jingle Bells”

Jonathan Young does many videos showing off his voice and musical talents. He of course plays all the parts in his videos, and mixes everything himself. If you’re into Broadway, Anime, Disney, and theatrical stuff you should definitely check out Young’s take on that sort of material. This is a real quick one and a simple one; it’s fun and makes me happy. Enjoy.

“Oh Tannenbaum” by not-Rammstein

This is not Rammstein! I repeat, this is not Rammstein. (It’s a comedy-metal group called Psychostick.) But man, it makes me want a Rammstein Christmas album so badly. The worship of the tree is in full metal effect, with the German turned way up. It’s weird and I love it.

“Run Run Rudolph” by Lemmy

Let’s show Lemmy some love here; he is one the kings. We all need more Lemmy in our lives. This is one of the few live versions of “Run Run Rudolph” you can find. RIP Lemmy — you always kept it real.

Christopher Lee’s Christmas

I hope you know that Christopher Lee put out many metal albums, including some really amazing Christmas metal albums. Yes, Saruman/Dooku himself. No, I’m not kidding. FOR REAL, they are the shit. He’s a wonderful man and he loves doing this, and it brings a dark joy to my heart. I love these tunes – learn more about Christopher Lee’s metal career here.

“Immortal Christmas IV – The Banishing,” feat. Philip Anselmo as Krampus

Yes, it’s metal sock puppets, along with Phil Anselmo of Pantera fame. Just glorious — an absolute masterpiece here. “The only gift he brings is pain.” I love that line. I need to use it more often.

Metalocalypse’s Christmas Tree

I figure it’s worth an ad here to just bring us back to center for a minute. Family — it’s all about family. Now please take these phones and get us new numbers. Classic.

Slayer/Mariah Carey Mashup

Like I was saying, Slayer always. This is either the greatest thing ever or something close to it [and it comes from legendary Alkaline Trio drummer Derek Grant, to boot -ed]. It might be become burned into your memory. Good. Pain: that’s what we are here for.

Merry Metal Christmas! May your season be as black as coal. And if you missed it, check out our original Full Metal Christmas from 2014 by clicking here.

Thrash metal rages on: An Interview with Slayer’s Kerry King before tonight’s sold out show at The National

Amy David | February 24, 2016

Topics: metal, SLAYER, The National

After 35 years, Slayer really needs no introduction and about thirty seconds into our conversation with guitarist and co-founder
[Read more…] about Thrash metal rages on: An Interview with Slayer’s Kerry King before tonight’s sold out show at The National

SLAYER is coming to RVA in February, here’s the best SLAYER songs according to RVAMag’s president

Brad Kutner | December 3, 2015

Topics: SLAYER, The National

Our workday was just violently interrupted by RVAMag President John Reinhold nearly-screaming with excitement at the announcement of legendary metal heads SLAYER coming to RVA in February.

[Read more…] about SLAYER is coming to RVA in February, here’s the best SLAYER songs according to RVAMag’s president

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