The Headbangers Holiday Gift Guide

by Karl Madsen, Editor

It’s that time of year and you’re wondering what to get that guy in the mail room with the studded leather choker, or the nephew that wears nothing but black and the ear buds have apparently grown into his ears. Not to worry because I’ve gathered some of my favorite tunes from the last year for that hard to shop for headbanger.

5. Vampires Everywhere – Hellbound and Heartless – This disc found its way to my player by virtue of a recommendation from the Century Media guys at San Diego Comic Con this year. Once again the recommendation did not disappoint. Think Motley Crüe meets Testament. The Los Angeles metallers may have built a fictional persona for themselves, but it doesn’t stop them from rocking your socks off. Dark lyrics are surrounded by catchy melodies and infectious hooks. A stellar release.

4. The Sword – Apogryphon – The Texas trio that sound more like Black Sabbath than ZZ Top has just released a new offering. Operating under the three categories of sludge, doom, and stoner metal the band sounds uncannily like the godfathers of the genre, Black Sabbath, which isn’t a bad thing. Their gut churning bottom end, psychedelic fuzz, and catchy hooks make this a pleasure for metal fans of any age. The digi-pak edition has extra songs including a cover of Cheap Sunglasses.

3. Moonspell – Alpha Noir (Omega White) – Who thought that the words Portuguese and metal would go together successfully? Somebody did, and with the release of their ninth album in twenty years their success appears to be much deserved. The songs drift between brutal metal and a mellow gothic sound. The extended set has the second disc, Omega White, which is the opposite of the Alpha Noir disc. Where Alpha Noir is hard and raw, Omega White is the gentle play between shadow and light. Do that special person a favor and get them the extended version, and maybe they’ll let you borrow it for New Years.

2. Katatonia – Dead End Kings – The Swedish metalers release their ninth studio album in 21 years, and this is, in my humble opinion, their finest yet. Katatonia are not what you would consider your typical metal band. Soaring melodies, driving beats, and haunting vocals make this band difficult to define, and this offering only solidifies their place in the metal world. This CD could easily be a soundtrack to a haunting.  Have the receiver let me know if they can figure out what category this belongs in.

1. Texas Hippie Coalition – Peacemaker – If Molly Hatchet and ZZ Top had an illegitimate child and Pantera babysat it on weekends that child would grow up to be Texas Hippie Coalition. This band epitomizes the phrase “beer drinking, whiskey sipping, ass kicking” to a tee. Southern rock rhythms and grinding guitars create a perfect backing for Big Dad Rich’s powerful vocals. Like a fine moonshine, his vocals are smooth and strong, with the energy to move heavy equipment. If the previous bands release is a soundtrack for a ghost story, Peacekeeper is a soundtrack for a barroom brawl.

Over the holidays please drink responsibly, but listen irresponsibly.

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