On November 29th, Hate Eternal bass wizard J.J. Hrubovcak released Death Metal Christmas – Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics upon riotous Black Friday shoppers in an effort to rekindle the true holiday spirit.
Featuring five renderings of the season’s darkest hymns, Death Metal Christmas… was composed and produced by J.J. with vocals and artwork by brother/Monstrosity throat Mike Hrubovcak, engineered by Hate Eternal mastermind Erik Rutan and J.J. and mixed and mastered by Brian Elliott all at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg. And the outcome is every bit a yule tide treat for even the Grinchiest of souls. A menacing death metal composition first and Christmas album second, the record delivers a
twist on traditional themes, new arrangements and unadulterated brutality.
The concept focuses on Azrael, the angel of death in some Islam, Sikhism and Hebrew lore, and the inevitable fall of mankind. The story follows a child (Azrael) born to a wealthy family heavily involved in politics throughout the generations. The child is not named Azrael but, infused with its spirit, is predestined by Abaddon (the Destroyer) to cleanse the earth of all life.
Today third movement, “Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy,” is available via Decibel Magazine. Notes Hrubovcak of the tune, “I debated on whether to include this song because it so ubiquitous during the season and almost played out, but I thought it needed to be heard in a death metal context. Much of the music produced by the late 19th/early 20th century Russian composers was basically the death metal of its time. It was passionate, aggressive, bleak, dark, unconventional and open-minded, reviled and revered at the same time, disturbing and shocking to convention. I love aggressive and passionate music in any genre — jazz has hard bop, classical has these Russian composers and we have death metal!”
Get your caroling on with “Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy,” at THIS LOCATION.
Additionally, you can still sample opening number, “Unrest For Melancholy Men (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)” HERE as well as second track “Earthen Kings (We Three Kings)” streaming at Revolver at THIS LOCATION.
Death Metal Christmas – Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics is currently available for purchase at THIS LOCATION.
“The musicianship on display here is excellent; the whole thing sounds like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra for death metalheads…. And the Nutcracker theme? Forget about it. It would easy to assume this was a jokey toss-off, but it’s actually a well-crafted and surprisingly passionately delivered album of death metal Christmas classics, which is a really odd thing to say.” – Exclaim!
“If you’re looking for the must unorthodox and challenging renditions of vintage carols and old-time madrigals ever recorded, or just want to hear one of the more fascinating death metal concept records, you should give yourself the gift of Death Metal Christmas this holiday season.” — Fearnet
“J.J.’s performance left me very impressed on several levels. His guitar-work is sharp and manages to be both crushingly heavy and tastefully melodic. I especially enjoyed his Rick Rozz-esque whammy dives. … Mike Hrubovcak’s death roars are solid too and he delivers the same kind of super low, deep belch that David Vincent once made so compelling…. worth a listen due to the surprising quality of the music. If you miss it, yule be sorry! Hail Santa.” – Angry Metal Guy
http://www.deathmetalchristmas.com
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