well it's almost december, so what are some of your favourite christmas tunes? individual tracks and whole albums are both welcome, from any genre - definitely doesn't have to be metal

to start things off with a couple of random mentions, i think my no.1 christmas tune is dance of the sugar plum fairy, witch it's ominous magical feel. kacey musgraves' christmas album is really good for the most part, and i quite enjoy the dumb fun of santa sabbath

There are only two worthy christmas songs: No Presents for Christmas and Fairytale of New York.

It's still November! The time for spreading festive cheer has still not yet arrived... or it probably has, but as always, prematurely.

Christopher Lee - Jingle Hell: https://youtu.be/XJkgf8lU_ds
Christopher Lee - Darkest Carols: https://youtu.be/easr7oNVFjU
Psychostick - Jingle Bell Metal: https://youtu.be/9jsxXEaJZ6Q
Psychostick - Jolly Old Sadist: https://youtu.be/3m0So59qwoQ
UMC - Christmas medley: https://youtu.be/C0Nj1EwvdVE
Mental Home - Christmas Mercy: https://youtu.be/O_VJZVT4Afs

And that is my short but complete list of Christmas songs I like... three metalled/cored-up traditional Christmas songs and three originals, so we're not exactly talking about my forte. The great thing about the last track, is that without knowing the title, one wouldn't have the slightest idea that it isn't the polar opposite of a Christmas song. It's just a fantastic melodic doom metal track.

Mike Oldfield's version of "In Dulci Jubilo" has always been my favourite Christmas tune, largely because I've been a massive fan of Oldfield since the 80s, but also that guitar solo is just great. It's always the standout tune from the rest of the festive dross.
https://youtu.be/VCvz7uflMIU

Steeleye Span's "Gaudete" is also great, with its folky medieval-style chant atmosphere.
https://youtu.be/8pe3e2qk9wQ

This is my favorite, Ennui - Jingle Funeral Bells, carries the real spirit of the end of year holidays: https://youtu.be/zFnJ3I39zag

And then I can bear with Scott Weiland singing some classics: https://youtu.be/EojN6r2VSR4

I'm not religious, but a lot of the more religious medieval/renaissance tunes hit me way harder than most of the modern secular tunes (although "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Step into Christmas" count among my favorites). The whole collection of "Piae Cantiones" is filled with great ones.

Cedit hiems eminus


Ad Cantus Laetitiae (not originally instrumental but this is my preferred recording on youtube)


The next ones are not a part of Piae Cantiones, but count among my favorites.

Salutation Carol (goes under multiple names, an old Irish carol)


Buell Kazee - Lady Gay (an old timey American ballad with roots in the British Isles)

Heavy Christmas by 220 Volts

The King Diamond Christmas song and perhaps Sarajevo 12/24 by savatage

There is only one good answer to this question.

The aforementioned Kacey Musgraves album is a good one. I also tend to stick on albums from Tori Amos and Leona Lewis.

I grew up hearing all the classics every year, so I like to listen to those as well. My favourites are from Elton John, Wizzard and John Lennon. Can't stand the songs from Slade or The Pogues/Kirsty MacColl though.

The Dio/Iommi version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is awesome in my book:

For a thrashy Xmas:


and maybe Onkel Tom's Christmas album?

though I love the aforementioned King Diamond classic and germany's all-star X-mas project, if I really want a real christmas experience, it's TSO's debut:

These are some I enjoy:

Blood Thirsty - O Come Emmanuel (The One Foretold)


Warpriest - Krampusnacht


Becoming The Archetype - O Holy Night


Tortured Conscience - Little Drummer Boy


Theocracy - Rudolph vs Frosty

(Theocracy has a handful of other Christmas songs and they're all pretty good IMO)

Frost Like Ashes - Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent

'Varpunen jouluaamuna' ('A sparrow on Christmas morn') y Raskasta Joulua is a metal version of a very beautiful and sad song. It is sung by Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot). It tells a story of a girl who feeds a sparrow, and the sparrow tells that its the reincarnation of her dead little brother. The lyrics are Zachary Topelius's poem. Topelius's own son died at the age on 1 year, inspiring him to write this sad poem.



The song was also done by Viikate, which basically sounds more Finnish. It features Timo rautiainen on lead vocals. Another beautiful version. More doomy than the Raskasta Joulua one.

Mojo Nixon- Horny for the holidays seriously fun xmas punk rock n roll album

this is genuinely brilliant because
i) it's a minor dirge
ii) it has SATAN in it

I also love Halford's (via "Metal" Mike Chlasciak and Roy Z's) We Three Kings and O Come Emmanuel, because again they are genuinely good versions.

Also Savatage, Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 24/12). And Spinal Tap, Christmas with the Devil. That's it I think. I'm even sick of Fairytale now, unfortunately (although it's great song)

No fucking Christmas!

This is what you get for being nice and mild.

Fomer Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen released a Christmas album called Henkäys Ikuisuudesta.


Here is Terrorvision.


Also Kaira.

this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADFwIH3o6RQ

The Meads of Asphodel have this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQs9DawSnnE

Quite a few of their songs ring the Yule bell for me. So much of their discography pertains to biblical themes, so it tends to make me think of the distortion of pre-christian traditions.

Here's a proper one: Fuck Christmas!

Immortal Christmas (Sock Puppet Parody) Parts I - VI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkGLuEsa8Pk&list=PLI4vGrTAEyLz8eruHfGN9f3Bc_5MdShAt
Grim Christmas https://grimchristmas.bandcamp.com/releases

Just saw this one posted on FB
Melvins - Carol of the Bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ZvdHetpnY