EP Review: Christopher Lee – A Heavy Metal Christmas/A Heavy Metal Christmas Too (Charlemagne Productions)

The late great Christopher Lee is well -known for his countless movie roles. No matter if he was playing Dracula, Saruman or Count Dooku, the man’s screen presence was undeniable. He is a household name but what many may not know is that he also dabbled in heavy metal.

In 2011 he released “Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross & its sequel “Charlemagne: The Omens Of Death” where he performed alongside guitar prodigy Hedras Ramos. However, a year before that Lee teamed up with Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest fame to release “A Heavy Metal Christmas”. A year after that we got “A Heavy Metal Christmas Too”.

This review combines both releases into one. Four tracks in total (two on each) mixing Christmas spirit with screaming classic metal & Lee’s dulcet tones.

The Little Drummer Boy will put you a big smile on faces, the heaviness of the riffs alongside the booming voice of Lee is a lot of fun. There are few voices out there that can make the “pa rum pum pum pum” lyrics sound so terrifying. A killer guitar solo adds the icing on the cake.

Silent Night doesn’t quite work as well though. The music being quite up-tempo while Lee croons softly. The guitar work is nothing special & the obligatory solo just feels a bit jammed in even if it is good.

Part two changes things up with a variation on Jingle Bells called Jingle Hell & it is great. A load of fun with a recognisable tune combined with Lee’s booming voice singing a more hellish style of lyrics. If there is one negative about the song it’s that the female vocals are a little jarring.

Oddly enough the final track is a cover of Frank Sinatra’s My Way! An unusual choice but a satisfying one none the less. It ends things with a smile, a soft one as hearing Lee sing “I did it my way” is a reminder that he is no longer with us.

Christopher Lee – A Heavy Metal Christmas/A Heavy Metal Christmas Too Full Track Listings:

1. The Little Drummer Boy
2. Silent Night
3. Jingle Hell
4. My Way

Check out both parts below via Apple Music.