Metal fans know what they like. We have many metal fans on staff here at the site. We have also done a lot of research, scoured through tons of lists and forums and had some pretty scary chats at times. In the end, we have come up with a pretty genuine list of Christmas songs often cited by metal fans as their favorites. Of course, many of them are our favorites, too. So, if you are into metal or simply just into entertaining takes on classic Christmas songs, grab some egg nog and turn it up to eleven!
# 10 – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Dokken
We are opening up our Fan’s Favorite Heavy Metal Christmas Songs list with one of our favorite bands. We are glad fans love this one. Dokken is superb on this great heavy metal version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” This version of “Santa Claus Is Coming was part of their contribution to the We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year compilation album, released on October 14, 2008.
# 9 – Christmas With The Devil – Spinal Tap
Everyone loved Spinal Tap. This is about as perfect as it gets for heavy metal Christmas music. Don’t believe what everyone says, Spinal Tap is real, just like Santa Claus. “Christmas with the Devil” was oiriginally written and performed by Michael McKean (as David St. Hubbins), Christopher Guest (as Nigel Tufnel), and Harry Shearer (as Derek Smalls), the track was first released in 1984 on the This Is Spinal Tap soundtrack album. The song was later re-recorded and released as a standalone single in 1992, with Nigel Tufnel credited for guitar and keyboards, David St. Hubbins on vocals, and Derek Smalls on bass, accompanied by session musicians for the rhythm section.
# 8 – Christmas Eve / Sarajevo – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
A brilliant recording that blends the genres of metal and classical. It stands as the track that turned so many people onto the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” is an instrumental medley of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells,” featured on their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories, released on October 15, 1996. The track was originally recorded by members of Savatage for their album Dead Winter Dead (1995) before becoming one of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s most iconic pieces.
The song blends classical music with hard rock elements, showcasing the band’s signature fusion style. It was composed by TSO founder Paul O’Neill and Jon Oliva of Savatage. The piece is centered around a poignant story inspired by a cellist playing Christmas carols in the bombed-out streets of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, symbolizing hope and resilience amidst despair. The emotional weight of the narrative, coupled with the dramatic arrangement, has made the track a staple of holiday music.
“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” achieved significant commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling holiday singles in the United States. It has been performed as part of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s elaborate holiday concerts, featuring synchronized light displays and pyrotechnics, further solidifying its place as a modern Christmas classic.
# 7 – Get into the Spirit – Rob Halford
This is just killer stuff. It was released on the Rob Halford Christmas album entitled Halford III. This was an original piece that opened the album.
Halford III: Winter Songs, released on October 26, 2009, features Rob Halford on lead vocals, with Roy Z as guitarist and producer. Mike Chlasciak (“Metal Mike”) also contributed on guitars, with Mike Davis handling bass duties and Bobby Jarzombek playing drums. The album includes both original compositions and traditional holiday songs arranged in a heavy metal style.
The song “Get into the Spirit” is an original track written by Rob Halford, Roy Z, and Mike Chlasciak. It showcases the collaborative effort of the musicians, with Halford’s vocals, Roy Z’s production and guitar work, Chlasciak’s technical guitar precision, Davis’s bass grooves, and Jarzombek’s dynamic drumming creating a cohesive metal sound.
The album was recorded with this core lineup, emphasizing a polished and powerful metal approach to holiday music. Roy Z’s production ensured a blend of traditional metal aesthetics and festive themes, resulting in a unique holiday album in Halford’s discography.
# 6 – Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Helix
There is nothing like heavy mental Christmas. We all know how that feels. The great heavy metal band Helix knocks down your Christmas tree with this intense adaption of Ruldolph.
Helix recorded “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as part of their 2008 album A Heavy Mental Christmas. The album was produced by Gord Prior and Aaron Murray and recorded at The Chalet Studio in Claremont, Ontario. It featured reimagined versions of Christmas classics infused with Helix’s metal brilliance.
The lineup for the album featured Brian Vollmer on lead vocals, Brent Doerner and Rick VanDyk on guitars, Paul Fonseca on bass, and Greg “Fritz” Hinz on drums. Their version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” retained the recognizable melody of the original while incorporating heavy guitar riffs, basslines, and driving drums, showcasing the band’s ability to adapt traditional tunes into a rock format.
# 5 – Silent Night – Faster Pussycat
We would love to say this is a little twisted, but that phrase belongs to the next group on our list. Faster Pussycat recorded their version of “Silent Night” for the Monster Ballads Xmas compilation album, released on September 11, 2007, by Razor & Tie. This album featured various hard rock and glam metal bands covering Christmas classics in unique styles. The track was recorded with the lineup of Taime Downe on vocals, Xristian Simon on guitar, Danny Nordahl on bass, and Chad Stewart on drums.
Their rendition of “Silent Night” combines the solemnity of the original carol with the band’s glam rock sound. The arrangement includes moody guitar riffs, a steady rhythm section, and Taime Downe’s gritty vocal delivery, giving the classic a darker, more rock-oriented feel. The song was one of several holiday tracks on Monster Ballads Xmas, which provided a platform for bands from the glam metal and hard rock scenes to reinterpret Christmas standards in their own styles.
# 4 – Oh Come All Ye Faithful – Twisted Sister
If any band knows how to make a statement, it’s Twisted Sister. They built their careers on attitude, showmanship, and some pretty rocking tunes. This one reminds us of “We’re Not Going To Take It” in a twisted sort of way. The video is great!
Twisted Sister recorded “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” for their 2006 holiday album, A Twisted Christmas, released on October 17, 2006. The album, produced by the band and Jay Jay French, features classic Christmas carols reimagined with Twisted Sister’s signature glam metal sound. The track is notable for its musical arrangement, which is heavily inspired by the band’s own 1984 hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” The similarities between the two tracks highlight the band’s playful approach to merging holiday music with their rebellious rock style.
The lineup for A Twisted Christmas included Dee Snider on vocals, Jay Jay French and Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda on guitars, Mark “The Animal” Mendoza on bass, and A.J. Pero on drums. “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” is performed with driving guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Snider’s distinctively powerful vocals, creating a unique take on the traditional hymn while staying true to Twisted Sister’s sound.
The track received attention for its innovative combination of heavy metal with a beloved Christmas carol, and the music video for “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” featured the band in full costume, embracing their theatrical image. The album achieved moderate commercial success and became a holiday favorite among fans of rock and metal, cementing its place as one of the most recognizable metal Christmas songs.
# 3 – Mistress For Christmas – AC/DC
Hey, you want what you want. “Mistress for Christmas” was featured on their 1990 album “The Razors Edge.” This one is a little left of the traditional themes of holiday music. That’s why fans love it.
“Mistress for Christmas” is a song by AC/DC from their twelfth studio album, The Razor’s Edge, released on September 21, 1990. Written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young, the track stands out as a tongue-in-cheek take on the holiday season, blending the band’s signature hard rock sound with humorous and risqué lyrics.
The song features Brian Johnson on lead vocals, Angus Young on lead guitar, Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Cliff Williams on bass, and Chris Slade on drums. It was recorded during the sessions for The Razor’s Edge in British Columbia, Canada, with Bruce Fairbairn as producer. The album was a major success, spawning hits like “Thunderstruck” and “Moneytalks,” and “Mistress for Christmas” became a quirky addition to the band’s catalog.
# 2 – Santa Clause Is Coming To Town – Alice Cooper
There’s nothing like a little Alice Cooper for Christmas. Alice Cooper delivers big time with his trademark vocal style and crushing minor chord guitar riffs that are just perfect. Listen to him growl. It’s so much fun.
Alice Cooper recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” for the We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year compilation album, released on October 14, 2008, by Armoury Records. This album featured various hard rock and heavy metal artists offering unique renditions of Christmas classics.
Cooper’s version of the song includes an all-star lineup of musicians, with Alice Cooper on vocals, Billy Sheehan (of Mr. Big and The Winery Dogs) on bass, John 5 (of Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson) on guitar, and Vinny Appice (of Black Sabbath and Dio) on drums. The arrangement transforms the holiday standard into a dark, theatrical rock anthem, showcasing Cooper’s signature vocal style and the musicians’ heavy, energetic instrumentation.
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” stands as a unique contribution to the holiday music genre, combining Cooper’s theatrical rock persona with a classic Christmas tune. The track reflects the collaborative nature of the We Wish You a Metal Xmas project and remains a festive favorite for fans of rock and metal.
# 1 – Joy to the World – Steve Lukather and Eddie Van Halen
Their successful monster collaboration on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” wasn’t the only time these two legendary guitar players worked together. Check out this smoking recording of “Joy To The World,” released on Steve Lukather’s Santa Metal album on October 7, 2003. The album features a collection of holiday classics reinterpreted with a rock and jazz fusion approach, showcasing the virtuosity of Lukather and his guest musicians.
“Joy to the World” highlights the guitar brilliance of both Lukather and Van Halen, blending intricate solos, heavy riffs, and a dynamic arrangement that transforms the traditional Christmas hymn into a high-energy rock instrumental. Lukather plays the lead guitar and serves as the primary arranger, while Eddie Van Halen contributes his signature tapping and innovative guitar techniques, adding a unique flair to the track.
The collaboration between these two legendary guitarists resulted in a standout piece on Santamental, illustrating their mutual respect and mastery of their craft. The album also features contributions from other notable musicians, making it a distinctive addition to holiday music with a rock-oriented twist.
10 Fan Favorite Heavy Metal Christmas Songs Article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
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