Top five Christmas rock covers of all time . . . probably

Christmas is an incredible time of the year. People reconnect with family, eat lots of food and have a strong sense of holiday spirit.

But the one aspect of the season that I don’t love is the same repetitive Christmas songs over and over and over again. So if you feel like me, and you’d like something that while still festive, also brings down the house, then keep reading.

It’s time for the totally biased and slightly accurate list of the top 5 Christmas rock covers of all time … probably.

Let’s go:

5. August Burns Red — “Carol of the Bells”

If you’ve walked this earth since 2008 and haven’t heard August Burns Red’s cover of “Carol of the Bells you’re doing it wrong. Not only is it an instrumental masterpiece, but it stays impressively close to the original vibe of the song, just so much cooler. Stop what you’re doing, and go listen.

4. Austrian Death Machine — “Jingle Bells”

This band was formed as a side project by As I Lay Dying’s frontman. Essentially they pay tribute to the legendary films of Arnold Scharzenegger, through song. ADM is an absolute gift to this planet or as some might say, a Christmas miracle. What better way to pay tribute than covering the classic “Jingle Bells” with a more thrashing . . . Arnie vibe?

3. Becoming the Archetype — “Oh Holy Night”

Don’t let the slow intro of this bad boy throw you off. It is instrumentally incredible and a fantastic tribute to the original.

2. Twisted Sister — “Oh Come Let Us Adore Him”

If you’re into some slightly sub-par acting but rad Christmas music, the music video to this song is the place to go! Really, Twisted Sister deserves more spots on this list, but if you want to check out their full Christmas album, it’s called “A Twisted Christmas”.

1. AC/DC — “Mistress for Christmas”

An instant Christmas classic! OK, anything AC/DC made pretty much skyrocketed, but this is one I personally can’t go a holiday season without singing at least once!

So in these next few weeks, as you spend hours climbing precariously placed ladders to hang up the same lights from last year that you probably only took down three months ago, throw some of these beats on in the background. Guaranteeing you not only a more festive time, but also, a much more rockin’ time!

Melissa Thomas is a producer at 105.3 ROCK. She’s also on the air Sunday mornings and Monday evenings at 1053rock.ca and 105.3 FM.