Mass – A Very Metal X-Mass
Independent – 2010
I don’t usually buy a lot of Christmas CD’s but when I saw that the proceeds from this brand new Christmas EP from Mass were going to benefit Toys for Tots this Christmas I was more then willing to throw down the $5 for this CD this time of year. While this release is only a 2 track CD EP in a cardboard slip case cover, the 2 tunes on here are, in my opinion, 2 of the best Christmas Rock tunes to come along in a while. The disc starts off with Mass’s rendition of Jingle Bell Rock. Remember Stryper’s rocked up version of Winter Wonderland? That’s what comes to mind when listening to this up tempo rockin version of this classic Christmas tune. This tune is sure to please the AOR melodic rock crowd for many Christmas’s to come.
The second track on this disc is a version of another classic Christmas track, but this time it’s a ballad. A ballad that I am sure you have all heard before entitled ‘Grown up Christmas list’. Many don’t know that this song was originally written by David Foster and performed by Natalie Cole in 1990. But if you’re like me you probably grew up with the Amy Grant version of this song released in 1992 on her classic ‘Home for Christmas’ album. Well Louis St. August lead vocalist for Mass has put the Mass touch on this classic tune and I have to say, he really pulled it off here! While the song stays true lyrically and musically to the original, just hearing his vocals on this track really breathes new life in to the song! I for one will be playing this 2 track CD for many Christmas’s to come!
So whether your looking for some cool rockin new Christmas tunes this holiday season, or just an outlet to donate a little Christmas cash to a worthy cause, this is exactly what Santa ordered! And lastly the title of the EP is pretty catchy too as the band put the Mass twist on wishing everyone a Merry Christmas here. So we will sign off in a similar manner here in wishing everyone… “A Very Merry X-Mass”
Check out “Grown up Christmas List” here:
Order your copy here: www.massrocks.com
Review by Bill Bafford for Untombed.com
