Rob Halford – Winter Songs
Metal God Entertainment
www.robhalford.com
Rating: A
The Metal God has returned with a new solo album of Christmas songs. Yes, you heard me right, I said ‘Christmas songs.’ No, this is not Spinal Tap. No, this is not gay, even if it sorta sounds gay when you first say it. Look, I know it sounds odd or even like the set up to a joke, but I need you, the reader, to hurry up and get over the shock of Judas Priest’s lead singers decision to sing “What Child is This” and pay attention to this review, otherwise you may not realize just how f-ing awesome Winter Songs truly is.
Halford did not just rest on his holiday laurels and remake a bunch of Christmas standards. In fact, he wrote or co-write four songs. “Get Into the Spirit” is the best original Metal Christmas song I have ever heard (it may be the only one, come to think of it). Either way, this song rocks and will have you celebrating Jesus’ b-day with your devil horns swinging in the air. “I Don’t Care” is a funny tune where Halford tries to get home for Christmas but ends up in a bar fight. “The Light of the World” is a heartfelt ballad while “Christmas Time For Everyone” is a run of the mill holiday tune. However, it is strange to think of The Metal God sitting down, with pen in hand, and writing lyrics that include the word “Santa.”
“We Three Kings” is a masterpiece and sounds great rocked up. “Oh Holy Night” and “Come All Ye Faithful” will impress the naysayers and prove that a Metal man can open his soul to the spirit of Christmas. The latter sounds amazing with big powerful guitar chords lighting the way. The energy of “Come All Ye Faithful” is last song on the CD but is by far the most powerful.
Remember when the Grinch robbed Whoville of their Christmas and when they woke up in the morning, instead of being sad, they decided to enjoy each other’s company and they gathered in the town square and sang? This touched the Grinch and his heart grew six sizes. He even ended up carving the roast beast. Maybe something like that happened to Rob Halford. Or maybe Rob’s sexuality wasn’t the only thing he kept in the closet. Maybe Halford loves Christmas and wanted to express the sentiment of the season for everyone to share. Either way, Winter Songs is the best holiday CD to be released in decades and is destined to become a classic to be played around the tree, year after year, by Metal lovers worldwide, including this one.
By Jeb Wright
