Christmas Single Slam: Airbourne, Katy and the Wild Ones, Cold Slither, Forge Hounds, King of Cups, and The Fear!

It’s the final Single Slam of the year, and as is tradition, this one features singles with a festive spin released over the past few weeks. This Christmas Single Slam features Airbourne, Katy and the Wild Ones, Cold Slither, Forge Hounds, King of Cups, and The Fear.

Airbourne – Christmas Bonus

Airbourne, the Aussie rockers, have given fans – naughty and nice alike – a seasonal surprise with ‘Christmas Bonus’, their new single.

Says Airbourne frontman, Joel O’Keeffe:

Christmas is a time to rock ‘n’ roll! I remember being a little kid, and I really didn’t like carols at all – I thought they were annoying. I just wanted to listen to AC/DC and Black Sabbath. But then I got this new AC/DC record, ‘The Razor’s Edge’, and there was this song, ‘Mistress for Christmas’. I had no idea what it meant, but that’s what I was playing for Christmas that year. Rockin’ out at Christmas is one of the best times of the year to rock out – let’s all headbang around the Christmas tree!

Airbourne doing Airbourne stuff, albeit with a ‘holly jolly’ twist and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s still an Airbourne party, just one with a bit more a festive feel. I’ll be honest, the band don’t do much for me these days, but I’ll still find myself bopping along to a tune or two, and this one is emphatically them. A Christmas rock and roll hit.

Katy and the Wild Ones – Christmas Time is Finally Here

Katy and the Wild Ones have released their feel-good Christmas charity single ‘Christmas Time Is Finally Here’ for the Endometriosis UK Charity, out now on Flip Flop Records.

It might not get more Christmassy than this, a soft rock tune with plenty of melody, bells, and catchiness, celebrating the season, featuring powerful vocals, and all in the name of charity. If you’re expecting anything ground-breaking, you’ve come to the wrong place, but if you’re after a simple Christmas crowd-pleaser, you’ll come away very satisfied. Check it out here.

Cold Slither – Cobra Claws Are Coming to Town

Reigning Phoenix Music, in collaboration with Hasbro, is proud to announce the most chaotic Christmas anthem ever to slither down a chimney: Cold Slither’s new single ‘Cobra Claws Are Coming to Town’. Fresh from the momentum of their self-titled album, released earlier this year, the Dreadnok-driven metal outfit returns with a holiday track packed with sleigh bells, sabotage, and seasonal pandemonium. The track is accompanied by a high-octane holiday video produced by none other than Torch himself.

Now this is ambitious, but it’s also fun, silly and energetic. Cold Slither put a ton of effort into delivering a rocking and rolling tune that, in collaboration with Hasbro, is G.I. Joe themed. A very cool idea, but outside of the lyrical content and parts of the video, it doesn’t have much of a festive feel. A good song overall but not quite nailing the Christmas brief.

Forge Hounds – A Merry Jingle

Forge Hounds, the hard rock band based in Waterford, Ireland, have released a Christmas single called ‘A Merry Jingle’.

About its origins, the band explains:

Remember when Thin Lizzy and Sex Pistols released a Christmas single under the name The Greedies way way back? Well Forge Hounds were asked to play a seasonal song for a CRYFM Songwriter Show session and the band covered this great take on two seasonal standards jammed into one uplifting medley.

Now this is how it’s done. Be your true self, give us something rocking, and infuse it with so much Christmas vibes, it’s downright sickening. Taking familiar tunes, mashing them together, keeping it catchy, and adding a touch of your own style. That is what Forge Hounds do, and it’s great. Check it out here.

King of Cups – Naughty List All Year

King of Cups has released a new pop punk Christmas single titled ‘Naughty List All Year’. The song follows a narrator who owns his place on the naughty list while raising a glass to anyone who never fits the perfect holiday image.

Another festive season, another festive heavyweight from a band that just gets Christmas music. Delivering a bit of a pop punk banger that’s filled with energy and cheer. The good kind. It’s delightfully festive feeling, exceptionally catchy, and comes with a ton of tongue in cheek aspects that fit the season perfectly. Check it out here.

The Fear – Christmas Time (The Best Is Yet to Come)

Coming off the back of the success of their debut EP ‘Falling Forward’, Manchester alt-rock / nu metallers The Fear have got in the festive spirit and whipped up a Christmas release for everyone. Christmas Time (The Best Is Yet to Come), the title track to their new EP is an original Christmas track.

Filled with festive cheer, the one original track from The Fear’s Christmas EP is very good. Leaning into pop punk bounce along territories, delivering an anthemic chorus, and sounding so damn jolly. It’s a smile-inducing listen and a guaranteed crowd pleaser if you play it at the Christmas dinner table this year.