Every time December rolled around for the past ten years, I have tried to subject someone new to one of my favorite contemporary holiday season Christmas songs, “Sleddin’ Hill” by August Burns Red.

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From the holiday album of the same name, this piece combines bluegrass, rock, folk and just enough acoustic flow to make me want to grab a sled and bounce around the snow-covered, forest-surrounded hills with promise of a warm fire and cocoa when I return.

That’s a pretty lofty image, considering I live in the desert Southwest.

Anyway, I’m continuing my trend of pushing this song unto the masses until everyone gets into the holiday spirit. There’s some mad finger-picking talent in this one, so grab a hot cider and take a listen.

It’s interesting to think this song comes from one of the most energy and hardcore screaming metal inducing bands out there. Their mosh-inducing music has ranked high on both metal charts and on Christian charts for their positive vibe. The don’t call themselves a Christian band, although the members are all believers.

Their Christmas songs, however, are a force unto themselves. Now, I’ll grant the vocals are very much within the metalcore sensibilities, but their instrumentals should appeal to more than one generation of rock listeners, as well as fans of different genres. Remember when Trans-Siberian Orchestra first started their now never-ending Christmas tours? No one knew how big that would be.

Well, August Burns Red is for those who want things just a little grittier at times, more playful at others, and certainly for those who appreciate some great metal talent. Check out these few I’ve selected, as well as their brand new one. Let’s start with the rousing rock instrumental anthem, “Flurries.”

They did tackle some classics, and one which charted well was their cover of “Carol of the Bells.”

They have also put out a few non-album singles and contributed their sound to some compilation albums, including their cover of the Home Alone theme for the Punk Goes Christmas 2015 compilation.

Last year, they helped cleanse our palettes from the overload of Mariah Carey, with their own instrumental cover of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” This goes to show there were some good things that came out of 2020.

What do fans think of their Christmas songs? Well, they are still going strong, and just released their newest holiday single, a headbanging rendition of the classic itself, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

So get into the Christmas spirit everyone, or August Burns Red is gonna bang it into you.