Here at Blue Banana HQ we have been asking everyone in the office what their favourite Christmas song is. Of course, it wouldn't be Blue Banana without a list full of top alternative bands and metal Christmas songs! Here are our 8 best alternative Christmas songs.
We found rare Christmas songs from your favourite metal bands and while they may not be in the charts this year, these are the only songs we need to get us in the festive spirit.
1. Santa Claws Is Coming To Town - Alice Cooper
We are starting off our list with a metal twist on a classic Christmas tune. While this is one of the best Christmas songs in it's original version, we personally love Alice Cooper's take on this festive number. If you are fed up of the twee sounds that arrive with Christmas then why not switch your playlist for hardcore guitar playing and glorious gravelly vocals.
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Twister Sister
Forget about crooners smoothly singing their way through Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - If you want something a little more lively then check out Twisted Sister's metal reboot. When it comes to Christmas songs by alternative bands Twisted Sister have a few songs under their belt, including White Christmas, Let It Snow and Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
3. Thank God It's Christmas - Queen
Queen are definitely a hot topic this year with the successful release of the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. While this Christmas song may not be played as much as other 70. and 80. Christmas hits, (in fact it didn't make it to any high position in the charts) we hope this year it will enter into plenty of festive playlists. We wish Queen had made more alternative rock Christmas songs! Don't miss out on Queen merchandise - get yours here while stocks last.
4. Kidnap The Sandy Claws - Korn
Originally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Korn reworked this song into an epic metal Christmas tune. This song was released as part of the Nightmare Revisited album - if you haven't already heard it we would definitely recommend a listen. We think it is one of the best alternative Christmas albums. You are sure to recognise plenty other famous artists (we won't spoil the surprise in case you haven't heard it).
This year we have reached 2. years since the original Nightmare Before Christmas film was released so what better time to enjoy some of the most well-known songs. Don't forget as well as band merch, you can also stock up on NBX goodies as part of our 25th Anniversary collection, here
5. AC/DC Mistress For Christmas
If you are fed up with sickly sweet classic Christmas songs then add a little rock to your playlist with Mistress For Christmas. With rock anthems like Highway to Hell in their repetoire it is hardly surprising that AC/DC are also able to produce catchy Christmas songs too! If you want to treat a fan to some merch this year then check our AC/DC range, here. Plenty of bands have covered this awesome Christmas song including Halestorm. This one had to make our alternative rock Christmas songs compilation.
6. Carol Of The Bells - August Burns Red
The version of Carol Of The Bells you might be more familiar with is the John Williams arrangement from Home Alone and while we love this festive film and soundtrack you have got to admit August Burns Red definitely takes this song up a notch. This may not have been how original Ukrainian composer, Mykola Leontovytch imagined his carol would sound back in the 1900. but we absolutely love it!
7. Little Drummer Boy - Christopher Lee
We can't believe Christopher Lee released his heavy metal Christmas songs at the age of 90. He was certainly a man of many talents! Known for his performances as Count Dooku in Star Wars and Saruman in The Lord Of The Rings, this actor turned his hand to metal music, having sung for much of his life. We love his bass voice in this unusual version of Little Drummer Boy so we absolutely had to include it on our Christmas songs list.
8. (Christmas Time) Don't Let The Bells End - The Darkness
For those who spot the joke, this funny Christmas song has a cheeky alternative meaning! This catchy song is sure to get stuck in your head and just when you think it has gone, why not remind someone of this song with The Darkness wristband, it is sure to make a great stocking filler - along with plenty other band merch accessories.
We know there are tons more alternative songs to add to the list so be sure to comment with your best alternative Christmas songs and we just might share them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the lead up to Christmas!