Being born of Black Sabbath, heavy metal often boasts about being the devil’s music. However, the seductive power of Christmastime has beguiled plenty of hell-bent headbangers into channeling the Yuletide spirit. Of course, that’s been done through stacked Marshall amps, down-tuned power chords, and soaring vocal acrobatics that prefer to sing out for unholy occasions.
The icons of mixing heavy metal and holiday merriment remain Trans-Siberian Orchestra. That’s the multi-platinum brainchild of Paul O’Neill–former Savatage collaborator and a producer/manager who’s worked with AC/DC, Aerosmith, Joan Jett, and Scorpions.
But other metal musicians take a more stripped-down approach to bringing out the carnality in Christmas carols. Either way, hard-rock covers of traditional holiday songs have become yet another staple of the season. There are enough that we had to narrow things down to get to the 15 Best Heavy Metal Christmas Carols–but we’re feeling pretty good about these new takes on beloved Christmas anthems…
Twisted Sister – “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Dee Snider has explained the formula for his signature hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It” as such: “Slade plus the Sex Pistols plus ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.'” On this hit cover, he drops Slade and the Pistols, but he does add a bit of “Hava Nagila.”
Ronnie James Dio & Tony Iommi – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Leave it to Black Sabbath’s second vocalist and founding guitarist to cover the only Christmas carol that explicitly invokes Satan by name.
Manowar – “Silent Night”
Metal’s most muscular band go all delicate with their “Silent Night,” saving the bombast for last–indicating that this “Silent Night” is followed by a deafening day ahead.
Queensryche – “White Christmas”
Seattle’s prog royalty adds complex layers to the Bing Crosby standard. Had he lived a few more decades, maybe Der Bingle would have invited Geoff Tate to duet with him on a Christmas TV special–a la Bing’s duet with David Bowie.
Lemmy, Billy Gibbons, Dave Grohl – “Run, Run Rudolph”
Motörhead’s fire-breathing frontman sings lead, ZZ Top’s head beard jams on guitar, and Dave Grohl mans the drum kit on a rollicking run through Chuck Berry’s classic chestnut.
Rob Halford – We Three Kings
Judas Priest’s always operatic lead singer escalates “We Three Kings” to a fiery journey where you’ll feel every field and fountain, Moor and mountain.
Austrian Death Machine – “Jingle Bells”
Gag band Austrian Death Machine sings exclusively about Arnold Schwarzenegger movies—except here, and it’s beautiful.
Christopher Lee – “Little Drummer Boy”
92-year-old screen legend Christopher Lee is beloved for playing pure evil as Dracula, along with his work in the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars movies. He’s also currently kicking ass in the final installment of The Hobbit. Furthermore, Mr. Lee has become quite the heavy metal vocalist of late. Check out his baritone bringing booming gravitas to every “ba-rum-pa-pum-pum.”
August Burns Red – “Sleigh Ride”
The velocity of this forward-charging instrumental has this tune sounding more like “Sleigh Ride the Lightning.”
Chuck Billy and Scott Ian – “Silent Night”
Testament’s frontman and Anthrax’s lead guitarist make a whole lot of racket out of this “Silent Night.”
Korn – “Kidnap the Sandy Claws”
Nü-metal marauders Korn sound both menacing and merry revving up this toe-tapper from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Warrant – “Father Christmas”
Hair-metal madmen Warrant play it pretty straight on the Kinks’ classic about Satna getting mugged.
Black Label Society – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Zakk Wylde slows down, eases up, and utterly enchants as his guitar leads us all to the titular “Little Town.”
Gilby Clarke – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke goes almost pop-punk recounting his mom’s extra-marital mistletoe activity.
Girlschool – “Auld Lang Syne”
Subtitled “A Headbanging New Year,” England’s all-female metal coven ring it with proper horn-hailing style.
