Top 10 Heavy Metal Christmas Instrumental Albums

Looking for some metal Christmas jams? Check out our list of the top 10 heavy metal Christmas instrumental albums!

Introduction

The Christmas season is upon us, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by listening to some amazing heavy metal Christmas music? While there are plenty of great vocal albums out there, sometimes you just want to rock out to some shredding guitars and drumming! So in no particular order, here are the top 10 best heavy metal Christmas instrumental albums that are sure to get your head banging.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Lost Christmas Eve

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Lost Christmas Eve is the fourth studio album by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was released on October 12, 2004, and is a rock opera about a Polish-American Christmas Eve in New York City.

The story follows the path of an angel who returns to Earth on Christmas Eve to save the life of a child, and in doing so, learns the true meaning of love and sacrifice. The album features guests appearances by Slash, Steve Vai, and Ozzy Osbourne.

Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction: Live

Album: Countdown to Extinction: Live
Artist: Megadeth
Release Date: December 10, 2013

Countdown to Extinction: Live is the fourth live album and video by American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was recorded and released on December 10, 2013. The album’s release coincides with the 20th anniversary of the release of the band’s fifth studio album, Countdown to Extinction. It is also their first release on Metal Blade Records. The album sold around 8,100 copies in its first week of release in the United States and debuted at number 45 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Metallica – Helpless

This is an instrumental cover of the Diamond Head classic, originally performed by Metallica on the Garage Inc. album. It was later released as a single in 2007. This track is included on both the standard and deluxe versions of the album.

Avenged Sevenfold – Waking the Fallen: Resurrected

Avenged Sevenfold – Waking the Fallen: Resurrected (2014)

This metalcore masterpiece was re-recorded with the help of an orchestra and features some of the band’s most popular tracks including “Unholy Confessions” and “Chapter Four.”

Buckcherry – Confessions (2013)

This hard rock album features some killer guitar work and a duet with M. Shadows on the track “Nothing Left but Tears.”

Disturbed – The Lost Children (2011)

This compilation album from Disturbed features two new tracks, as well as a selection of b-sides, rarities and fan favorites. All proceeds from the album went to charity.

Children of Bodom – I Worship Chaos

Formed in Finland in 1993, Children of Bodom is a melodic death metal band that has released nine studio albums, two live albums, and one EP. I Worship Chaos is the band’s most recent album, released in October 2015. The album’s title track is a fast-paced, shredding metal song with a holiday twist – making it the perfect addition to any metalhead’s Christmas playlist.

Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events

Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events: I know, I know… another progressive metal album on a top 10 Christmas list? But seriously, if you can get past the complete and utter lack of Christmas cheer on this album, it’s actually a great listen. From the crushing opener “On the Backs of Angels” to the 11-minute epic “The Count of Tuscany”, this album is a tour de force of progressive metal greatness. Just don’t expect to hear any sleigh bells…

Iced Earth – Plagues of Babylon

With Iced Earth’s Plagues of Babylon, guitarist Jon Schaffer and his band offer up a collection of holiday classics done in the group’s signature style, which is to say, with plenty of crunchy, distorted riffs and shredding guitar solos. The result is a fun and surprisingly energetic album that should please fans of both Iced Earth and metal Christmas music.

Powerglove – Saturday Morning Apocalypse

Powerglove is an American power metal band formed in 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts. Their musical style combines elements of various metal subgenres with 1980s video game music. They have released two EPs and three full-length albums.

Saturday Morning Apocalypse is the third studio album by Powerglove, released on October 26, 2010 through eOne Music. It is a concept album based on the popular Saturday morning cartoon characters of the 1980s. The album features eight tracks of instrumental metal music, including renditions of songs from classic 80s cartoons such as Transformers, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, GI Joe and The Simpsons.

Wintersun – Time I

Originally released in 2012, Time I is the debut album from Finnish metal band Wintersun. Featuring eight tracks of high-quality metal instrumentals, the album is a must-have for any metalhead looking for some holiday cheer. With a mix of fast-paced and slower, more atmospheric tracks, Time I has something for everyone.