`
The Black Nativity isn't the world's first Christmas-themed metal album, but it is one of the more interesting. It features a mix of gothic metalcore, death metal, and acoustic music, along with some eclectic song choices. For every classic song, like "Stille Nacht," "We Three Kings," and "What Child Is This?" (which features Extol's Ole Boris), there are twice as many unique choices. Look no further than "Hymn To Marduk" and "Left Handed Wizard (My Eyes Look West)," both of which are not only slow, acoustic tunes with purely clean vocals, but also deal more in storytelling and an almost prophetic or even fantasy sort of narrative. It's also interesting to note that "Hymn To Marduk II" is a heavier rendition of the opening track. While the acoustic opener appropriately features Karl Sanders of the ancient Egyptian-themed band Nile, the metal version features Sakis Tolis and Living Sacrifice vocalist, Bruce Fitzhugh.
Some of the songs wouldn't necessarily be considered classics in the context of whether or not you're likely to hear them on a popular album or at your church's Christmas service. Still, though, they are in other ways traditional pieces, such as "Sacred Harp 133" and the two album highlights (if you ask me) in "Entre le Beouf" and "Minuit Chretien." Both of these tracks are French carols, the latter of which was eventually rewritten/translated into English as what we call "O Holy Night."
These days, the Christian music industry starts pumping out Christmas albums as early as late September. And while the beauty in the lyrics of the more reverent Christmas songs never changes, one can only hear the same song sung the same way so many times. So when a Relient K or August Burns Red comes along with something that feels new, it's refreshing. A Hill To Die Upon isn't as accessible as those bands, but with The Black Nativity, they've put an interesting spin on Christmas music that is more than welcome to my ears.
- Review date: 12/13/23, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com
Zane and Donna King Find Joy in the Journey with "Everything Good" Wed, 01 May 2024 14:00:00 EST |
AMERICAN IDOL Broadcasts LIVE Tribute to MANDISA featuring Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey and Melinda Doolittle Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:05:00 EST |
Natalie Grant is #1 Most Added at AC Radio with Dolly Parton Collaboration, "Step By Step" Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:55:00 EST |
Jermaine Bollinger Releases "I Belong to You" to Christian Radio Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:45:00 EST |
Gileah Taylor Releases New Album, "Slow Parade" Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:45:00 EST |
Mat Kearney Stirs Up Feelings of Melancholy on New Single "Drowning in Nostalgia" Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:35:00 EST |
Resurrection Records Launches Ministry-Minded Rock and Rap Artists into the Spotlight Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:30:00 EST |
DAD TIRED FOUNDER JERRAD LOPES EXPANDS POPULAR MINISTRY WITH DEBUT CHILDREN’S TITLE Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:07:46 +0000 |
“Anything Goes” by Andrew Kerhoulas of Brother K Thu, 04 Apr 2024 02:54:00 +0000 |
Demi-Leigh Tebow to release debut book this August Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:20:38 +0000 |