Various Artists
We Wish You A Metal X-Mas EP

December 2009
Released: 2009, Eagle Rock Entertainment
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Robert Williams

In what has recently become a viable market with Christmas themed albums by such heavyweight acts like Twisted Sister and Halford comes WE WISH YOU A METAL X-MAS EP the exclusive digital download follow up last year's excellent WE WISH YOU A METAL X-MAS AND A HEADBANGING NEW YEAR album that featured a bevy of impressive marquee talent such as Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Lemmy Kilmister, Geoff Tate, Ripper Owens, Rudy Sarzo, Chuck Billy and countless others.



The WE WISH YOU A METAL X-MAS EP is made up of four songs, the first of which "Frosty The Snowman" features the currently in demand Anvil frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow on vocals backed by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal of Guns N' Roses fame, Chris Chaney and Kenny Aronoff. This rendition is a melodic hard rocker that you could listen to in the car with your mom on the way to do holiday shopping at the mall. Your mom would probably enjoy it as much as you.



The same could not be said for the EP's second track; "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" with Dez Fafara of DevilDriver (ex-Coal Chamber) turning in a tough guy hardcore snarl that will send your Grandma off her rocker straight into the fireplace. Backing Dez on "Rudolph" is Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake on guitar, Blasko (Ozzy, Rob Zombie) on bass, and John Tempesta (ex-White Zombie, Testament, Brian Posehn) on drums.



Everyone's favorite German Fräulein Doro Pesch fronts a superstar group featuring the legendary Michael Schenker on guitar, Tony Franklin on bass and Quiet Riot skinsman Frankie Banali on drums. The arrangement on this one differs from the time honored original in a playful manner. I can understand why also, if the band performed this uniformly with the original the result would have been too warm and soothing to properly label it as a "Metal X-Mas" track. So "BAM" they kicked it up a notch with a healthy dose of hard rock guitar noodling, the one two punch of Frankie and Tony's thumping rhythm section and Doro begins to wail as the song comes to a close. Very cool.



Closing out the WE WISH YOU A METAL X-MAS EP is NWOBHM legends Girlschool performing "Auld Lang Syne" This unique rendition recalls the spirit of Brit Punk circa 1977 not unlike The Clash, but with the muscle of 1980's hard rock guitar hero delivery. This one is distinctly British and a welcome addition in that Girlschool picked an often overlooked holiday classic that hasn't been overdone to death and instead is sure to bring back hazy champagne memories of New Year's past.



If you enjoyed last year's WE WISH YOU A METAL X-MAS AND A HEADBANGING NEW YEAR you won't want to miss this follow up EP. Available as a digital download only release; this would make a nice present for your favorite headbanger or yourself.