Midnight Metal Playlist – December 9th 2022

Author Al Beck

December 9th, 2022 1:01 AM

Did you miss this week’s Midnight Metal? Hear something and wonder “who was that? That was AWESOME! ” Here’s what you heard on this week’s edition of Midnight Metal:

Convulsis – Servants of the Abyss
Anthrax – A.I.R.
The Amity Affliction – Show Me Your God

Megadeth – We’ll Be Back
Nails – Life is a Death Sentence
Deicide – Serpents of the Light
Treble Bleed – Path of Least Resistance
Job for a Cowboy – Entombment of a Machine
Wage War – High Horse
Ov Sulfur – Death Ov Circumstance

Amon Amarth – Crack the Sky
For Today – Devestator
Battlecross – Pursuit of Honor/Push Pull Destroy

Christmas Songs: 25 Hard Rock/Metal/Punk Tunes To Help Deck the Halls

Now that it’s finally December, it’s time to fully embrace Christmas songs. (Sure, some may have started long ago, but many like to wait until Thanksgiving is in the rearview.)

There are a surprising number of rock and roll Christmas songs. Many rockin’ holiday tunes tend to be covers, but many artists have tried to pen the next Christmas classic. If they don’t end up classics, they are often at least a lot of fun.

One of those songs is “The Magic of Christmas Day.” The song was written by Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, but it was made famous when it was recorded by Celine Dion. Snider wrote the song at the request of his wife, Suzette. The song got into the hands of producer Ric Wake, a friend of Snider’s, who thought the song had massive potential.

RELATED: 10 Unique Stocking Stuffers

Snider said in a Dec. 2020 interview in Ultimate Classic Rock that about five years after writing the song for his wife, he got a fateful call from Wake. The producer let him know that Celine Dion wanted to record the song.

It was perfect timing for Snider. He said was “broke and struggling” at the time he learned the pop icon decided to record his song. Considering Dion’s star power, Snider was thrilled she wanted to record the song at all. His big concern was making sure she didn’t know he was the one to write the song.

“I said, ‘Do not tell her that Satan wrote her Christmas song. Just put it on the f—in’ album,'” said Snider. (Fun fact: Due to the song’s success and the revenue it produced, Snider refers to her as “Saint Celine.”

To help fully get into the holiday spirit, consider adding these 25 songs to your Christmas playlist. They vary in subgenre from hard rock to metal to punk. Enjoy!

25. Iggy Pop – “White Christmas”
Share
Spoiler: Iggy Pop's cover of "White Christmas" sounds exactly like you think it would.
24. Alice Cooper – “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
Share
Only Alice Cooper could make "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" sound sinister AF.
23. Cheech & Chong – “Santa Claus and His Old Lady”
Share
More of a piece of spoken-word magic than a song, but it's just not Christmas without Cheech & Chong.
22. Rob Halford – “We Three Kings”
Share
It's the metal version of "We Three Kings" we both needed and deserved. Thanks, Metal God!
21. Korn – “Kidnap the Sandy Claws”
Share
Korn covered "Kidnap the Sandy Claws" for 'Nightmare Revisited,' a covers album in honor of the 15th anniversary of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.'
20. My Chemical Romance – “All I Want For Christmas is You”
Share
Similar to Iggy Pop and "White Christmas," MCR's cover of the Mariah Carey classic sounds exactly like you think it would, and it pretty brilliant.
19. The Black Crowes – “Back Door Santa”
Share
Originally recorded by Clarence Carter in 1968, The Black Crowes covered this sexy Christmas blues tune in 2005. The tune is all the more fun since the Robinson brothers have made up.
18. The Killers – “A Great Big Sled”
Share
The Killers recorded this energetic tune in 2006 as a stand-alone single for iTunes. Proceeds from the downloads benefited the RED Campaign. A fun holiday song that helps raise money for HIV/AIDS prevention programs in third-world countries? Who couldn't get behind that?
17. King Diamond – “No Presents for Christmas”
Share
If you don't wail, "Tom and Jerry, Drinking Sherry/They don't give a damn," who even *are* you?
16. Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Rudy Sarzo & Simon Wright – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Share
This epic cover was part of 2008's compilation 'We Wish You a Metal XMas...and a Headbanging New Year!' In fact, it's not the only track from this album on the list. (BTW: The next one is number four.)
15. GWAR – “Stripper Christmas Summer Weekend”
Share
It's a GWAR Christmas song. That's all you *really* need to know.
14. Twisted Sister – “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”
Share
A Twisted Christmas' was Twisted Sister's final studio album, and they sure went out with a yuletide bang. Any track is a winner and will surely get any metalhead in the Christmas spirit, but "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" is a standout thanks to its very "Twisted" flare.
13. Gary Hoey – “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
Share
Few have made a musical mark on Christmas like Gary Hoey, and there's just something special about his take on a classic like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."
12. The Darkness – “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)”
Share
After The Darkness falsettoed onto the scene in 2003 with "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," they followed that single up with the equally over-the-top "Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)." If you loved "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," then you'll never want the bells to end.
11. Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”
Share
Joey Ramone was one of punk's biggest icons, but he sure could write one sweet make-up song.
10. blink-182 – “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas”
Share
A Christmas song about losing your s--- and getting arrested? Totally not relatable, right. (Wrong!)
9. Spinal Tap – “Christmas With The Devil”
Share
A Spinal Tap Christmas song means taking the piss out of metal *and* the holidays. Who couldn't love that kind of cheeky fun?!
8. Adam Sandler – “The Chanukah Song”
Share
Okay, so this is technically a Christmas song list, but few would take issue with making an exception for this Adam Sandler song, which he performed on 'Saturday Night Live' in 1994. The track would even crack the Billboard Hot 100, which shouldn't be too shocking since Sandler brilliantly rhymed Carnegie Deli with Arthur Fonzerelli.
7. Pearl Jam – “Let Me Sleep (It’s Christmas Time)”
Share
Part of Pearl Jam's lore is there annual fan club singles they released from 1991-2018. "Let Me Sleep (It's Christmas Time)" was the first one, so considering its history, it had to make the list.
6. AC/DC – “Mistress for Christmas”
Share
"Jingle bells, jingle bells/Jingle all the day/I just can't wait till christmas time/When I can grope you in the hay." Finally! A Christmas song about infidelity that isn't "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Thanks, AC/DC!
5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24”
Share
It's truly not Christmas without Trans-Siberian Orchestra. While the hard rock outfit has a number of popular tunes in their catalog, "Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24" is their most popular and their best.
4. Lemmy Kilmister, Billy F Gibbons & Dave Grohl – “Run Rudolph Run”
Share
Featured on 2008's compilation 'We Wish You a Metal XMas...and a Headbanging New Year!' , hearing Lemmy's trademark growl covering this Chuck Berry classic makes you feel as warm and fuzzy as slamming a few Jack and Cokes.
3. Dropkick Murphys – “The Season’s Upon Us”
Share
Dropkick Murphys tell a tale of one of the most dysfunctional families ever, and if it doesn't make you feel better about your own family, then just start drinking now to get through the holidays.
2. Dee Snider & Lzzy Hale – “The Magic of Christmas Day”
Share
Dee Snider wrote this beautiful songs as a Christmas gift for his wife. Four years later in 1998, Celine Dion would record the song and make it famous. Finally, in 2020, Snider would record and release the song as a duet with Lzzy Hale. It's still amazing that the frontman for Twisted Sister wrote one of the most angelic Christmas songs of all time.
1. Corey Taylor – “X-M@$”
Share
Obviously, this Corey Taylor song is very tongue-in-cheek, but there is certainly a bit of truth here. Who among us hasn't wanted to say, "Fa la la la la go f--- yourself"? (Perhaps you were one of the brave few that actually has.) Either way, this "anti" Christmas song is just really fun.

Sign Up For The WRIF Everything That Rocks Newsletter

Get everything that rocks sent right to your inbox. We're talking rock news, concert updates, stories from all around metro Detroit, plus exclusive contests, games and more.

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Al Beck

Category:

Latest Stories

Latest Rock News

Dave & Chuck The Freak

Shows

Recently Played

The RIFF Wants Your Feedback

Listen + Watch

Podcasts

RIFF TV

Photos

Latest Peep Shows

WRIF Gear

Dave & Chuck The Freak Store

Connect

Join The Cybercrew

Advertise With RIFF

101 WRIF Rock Hall

Al Beck

Al Beck

Al Beck

Midnight Metal Playlist – December 9th 2022

Christmas Songs: 25 Hard Rock/Metal/Punk Tunes To Help Deck the Halls

25. Iggy Pop – “White Christmas”

24. Alice Cooper – “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”

23. Cheech & Chong – “Santa Claus and His Old Lady”

22. Rob Halford – “We Three Kings”

21. Korn – “Kidnap the Sandy Claws”

20. My Chemical Romance – “All I Want For Christmas is You”

19. The Black Crowes – “Back Door Santa”

18. The Killers – “A Great Big Sled”

17. King Diamond – “No Presents for Christmas”

16. Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Rudy Sarzo & Simon Wright – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”

15. GWAR – “Stripper Christmas Summer Weekend”

14. Twisted Sister – “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”

13. Gary Hoey – “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

12. The Darkness – “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)”

11. Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”

10. blink-182 – “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas”

9. Spinal Tap – “Christmas With The Devil”

8. Adam Sandler – “The Chanukah Song”

7. Pearl Jam – “Let Me Sleep (It’s Christmas Time)”

6. AC/DC – “Mistress for Christmas”

5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24”

4. Lemmy Kilmister, Billy F Gibbons & Dave Grohl – “Run Rudolph Run”

3. Dropkick Murphys – “The Season’s Upon Us”

2. Dee Snider & Lzzy Hale – “The Magic of Christmas Day”

1. Corey Taylor – “X-M@$”

Sign Up For The WRIF Everything That Rocks Newsletter

Get everything that rocks sent right to your inbox. We're talking rock news, concert updates, stories from all around metro Detroit, plus exclusive contests, games and more.

More Al Beck