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Various Artists: Ragnarok Juletide

Christmas albums are usually a fine opportunity to run to the hills – fast. This is very much the case in the mainstream industry especially given the nauseating commercialism associated with wringing the last few shekels out of the non-discerning public. Metal/progressive acts have been somewhat more successful artistically (Trans-Siberian Orchestra and erm, Twisted Sister spring readily to mind) and Ragnarok Juletide is also pretty successful. The playing is exemplary throughout and the arrangements are thoughtful and give the impression that things have been planned out rather than knocked off in a week or so in August. Rather as Northern Kings did with 1980's pop this album takes on Christmassy songs and turns them into symphonic/power metal winners.

Vocalists include Elize Ryd (Amaranthe,) Marco Hietala (Nightwish,)J.P. Leppäluoto, Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica,) Jarkko Ahola (Teräsbetoni,) Ari Koivunen (from Amoral but check out his solo albums,) Pasi Rantanen, Antti Railio, Ville Tuomi, Antony Parviainen, Tuple Salmela and Kimmo Blom and their quality helps to keep everything on the right side of kitsch. Some of the songs aren't overly familiar to me ("The Elf" for instance is decidedly not overly festive) given the Finnish nature of the main protagonists but if your Christmas requires a symphonic metal edge then look no further.


Track Listing:
1. We Celebrate At Christmastime
2. The First Noel
3. Here On The Hay
4. Little Drummer Boy
5. The Elf
6. Christmas Is Here
7. Sylvia's Song
8. White Christmas
9. Home For Christmas
10. A Sparrow On A Christmas Morning
11. Christmas Has Come
12. Ave Maria

Added: December 16th 2014
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1690
Language: english

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