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| Artwork by Mike Hrubovcak |
It's been a good year for death metal, so it's fitting that the last regular post of 2013 features Death Metal Christmas (Hellish Renditions of Christmas Classics). Brothers J.J. (all instruments) and Mike Hrubovcak (vocals and artwork) performs very serious and very brutal takes on some of the less festive yuletime classics. The death metal is very competent, sometimes reminiscent of Hate Eternal (in which J.J. plays bass), and the brothers have gone to great length to avoid falling into the novelty album trap:
Since many hymns written ages ago are dark in nature, they were obvious concept choices. The lyrics have been altered to portray a possible future outcome to mankind’s current path and focus on Azrael, the angel of death in some Islam, Sikhism and Hebrew lore.While not quite being melodic death metal, you can pick out the hymnal melodies underneath the brutality, and that combination works surprisingly well. Check out Steel Druhm's review over at Angry Metal Guy, and listen to some death metal to get into a proper holiday spirit (!)
The rest of the year you will be treated to various end of year lists from some of the Metal Bandcamp contributors. Happy holidays, and see ya next year.
[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]
