Best Metal Christmas Albums To Headbang This Holiday

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than with some heavy metal Christmas albums? That's right, folks, we're talking about the perfect blend of Yuletide cheer and face-melting riffs. Whether you're a metalhead looking to spice up your holiday playlist or just someone who wants to shake things up from the usual Bing Crosby fare, we've got you covered.

There's something to be said for the unique challenge of crafting a metal Christmas album. It's a delicate balance between capturing the essence of the holiday season and still managing to bring the heavy. But when done right, the results can be pure magic. So, grab your favorite festive sweater, crank up the volume, and let's dive into the best metal Christmas albums to headbang this holiday.

The Classics

These albums have become staples of the metal Christmas canon, and for good reason. They're the ones that paved the way for all the other metal holiday goodness out there.

• Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas (2006): Dee Snider and the boys bring their signature blend of humor and heavy metal to the holiday season. Tracks like "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" are reworked with a twisted twist.
• Mötley Crüe - Christmas Album (1989): Okay, so this one might not be entirely metal, but it's definitely a holiday classic. The Crüe's take on "White Christmas" is a highlight, and who can resist a little bit of Vince Neil's yuletide cheer?
• Stryper - The Roxx Regime Demos (1983): This one's a bit of a deep cut, but Stryper's early demos feature some excellent metal Christmas tracks. "Winter Wonderland" and "Silent Night" are standouts.

The Modern Classics

These albums are more recent additions to the metal Christmas canon, but they're just as essential.

• August Burns Red - Sleddin' Hill (2012): This instrumental metal Christmas album is a masterclass in musicianship. Tracks like "Sleddin' Hill" and "Flurries" are perfect for getting you in the mood for some holiday headbanging.
• In This Moment - Blood (2012): Maria Brink and company bring their signature dark, atmospheric sound to the holiday season. Tracks like "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" and "Blood" are hauntingly beautiful.
• Nightwish - Walking in the Air (2012): This symphonic metal Christmas album is a work of art. Tracks like "Walking in the Air" and "Ave Maria" showcase the band's mastery of the genre.

The Metalcore Christmas Albums

Metalcore and Christmas might seem like an unlikely pairing, but trust us, it works.

• The Devil Wears Prada - A New Era (2015): This EP features some excellent metalcore Christmas tracks, including a crushing rendition of "Gingerbread Man".
• As I Lay Dying - Re-Release: A Long March: The Martyr (2011): This re-release features some bonus metalcore Christmas tracks, including a face-melting version of "Jingle Bells".
• We Came as Romans - These Christmas Lights (2012): This EP features some excellent metalcore Christmas tracks, including a haunting rendition of "Silent Night".

The Fun Ones

These albums are all about having a good time and embracing the holiday spirit.

• Six Feet Under - Graveyard Classics (2000): This album features some hilarious metal covers of Christmas classics, including a growling rendition of "Winter Wonderland".
• Shai Hulud - That Within Blood Ill-Tempered (2003): This metalcore Christmas EP features some excellent tracks, including a crushing version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
• GWAR - Let There Be GWAR (1990): This album features some hilarious metal Christmas tracks, including a rendition of "Jingle Bells" that's equal parts ridiculous and awesome.

The Charity Albums

These albums are all about giving back during the holiday season.

• A Very Metal Christmas (2011): This compilation album features some excellent metal Christmas tracks from a variety of bands, with all proceeds going to charity.
• Merry Metal Christmas (2013): This compilation album features some excellent metal Christmas tracks from a variety of bands, with all proceeds going to charity.
• Heavy Metal Christmas (2014): This compilation album features some excellent metal Christmas tracks from a variety of bands, with all proceeds going to charity.

So, there you have it – the best metal Christmas albums to headbang this holiday. Whether you're a fan of the classics or looking for something new and exciting, there's something on this list for everyone. So, go ahead, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready to rock around the Christmas tree.