Various Artists
We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year

November 2008
Released: 2008, Armoury Records
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Celtic Bob

An all-star metal cast deliver possibly the hardest rockin’ holiday albums you will ever hear. Put together by Wendy Dio this release features the likes of Lemmy, Alice Cooper, Chuck Billy and many more. Believe it or not but the hardest obstacle she had to endure was getting her husband Ronnie to contribute. Once onboard he recruited band mate Tony Iiomi to help out as well. Dio stated about this release; “The Metal Xmas album was a great opportunity to pay homage to my least favorite holiday”. I couldn’t agree more. How’s that for holiday spirit?



We are all familiar with each and every song on here but having some of your favorite artists doing them adds a whole new twist to the season. Having Lemmy or Alice Cooper singing Xmas songs is something you have to hear to believe. Even listening to Alice sing “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” you cannot visualize him in studio cutting the vocals. He adds his own personal touch to the song at the beginning and end of it and Alice fans such as myself are sure to agree. The very Sabbath sounding “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” with Dio and Iiomi is one of the heaviest and most powerful tracks you’ll hear…or is it? It may be until you hear Chuck Billy singing “Silent Night”. Chuck ‘Growls’ more here than sing which is a bit of a disappointment as it would have been amazing to hear him belt out the song with “The Ballad” style vocals. Another of the standout tracks here is the Stephen Pearcy and Tracii Guns pairing on “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”. This is arguably one of the most enjoyable listens on the album. Ending off the compilation is one of Rock’s greatest; Tommy Shaw covering the John Lennon classic “Happy Xmas”. A great rendition but he changes the song a bit too much.



One of the best holiday albums you can purchase this season. Like allot of compilations it has it’s moments and this one has some really great ones as well as some forgettable ones.