If you think this is the first serious 'flirt' of Metal music with the samblant Christmas (sic) celebration, let's 'travel' back to 1986 and the German all-star (Holy Moses, Living Death, Rage and Mekong Delta members) Speed Metal X-Mas Project (two series followed in 1995 and 2002). This does - of course - not mean another 'cartoon' creation cannot be taken with exhilaration; even more, if this making comes off the joyful bellies of the s-m-f Twisted Sister camp. Hello Santa, I'll nail you to death if I ever find ya!
Well, the Iron Men Of Rock And Roll have not been studio-active ever since 1987's Love Is For Suckers album (I know, I know: the band did split up after then, to be re-formed a couple - or more - years ago). Not taking into consideration the renowned Stay Hungry remake (2004) under the Still Hungry moniker, 2006 finds the famous 'shock' Rock 'n' Roll act messing around with the Christmas tree and co. in order to fulfill our hilarity towards this habit.
The album features diverse styles of 'Metal' versions of adored Christmas classics including Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Deck The Halls, Oh Come All Ye Faithful and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (ed.: yeah, and I saw daddy screwing Santa's wife...). The amps are scale ten, Dee's throat spits fire and comedy at the same time, the choirs are amusing and the rhythm section guarantees your headbanging while enjoying the album at your place with your blokes (beerz included!), the same time your mom prepares the 'pathetic' Christmas table in order for the whole 'official' dinner-service to parade in front of family and friends. That's all? Nah...Lita Ford guests on I'll Be Home For Christmas (ed.: I'll wait for you, honey...) while the genral atomsphere of the CD could resemble to a tribute album by acts like AC/DC, the Ramones and Motorhead. Oh Come All Ye Faithful is 'built' to the music of We're Not Gonna Take It and - last but not least - I cannot wait to see the band touring in support of this release (will the stage antics include chimneys and turkeys, I wonder?).
Maybe this is the 'kiss of death' for Dee Snider and Co.; a 'sell-out' for fame and fortune. Maybe - on the other side - 'party' Rock 'n' Roll still deals a lot with bizarre humor. You decide. Now, let's move on to Santa's ass 'hunt'!