Leave it to the Metal God Rob Halford and his band Halford 3 to release Winter
Songs, a holiday CD to get you in the mood. The Judas Priest vocalist
and his namesake band have made their bones with heavy performances and earned
quite the cult-like audience, but this CD is their first with holiday music,
both traditional and original.
Opening with “Get Into The Spirit,” we get a wildly affected Rob
Halford vocal over straight-ahead thrashing for a tune about the spirituality
of celebrations (as the Metal God himself informed me, this CD is less about
any one holiday than it is this time of year). A version of “We Three Kings”
follows, featuring Roy Z. and Metal Mike Chlasciak’s blistering guitar playing.
“Oh Come O Come Emanuel” chunks along with Ed Roth’s piano under
Halford singing and sounding as good as ever, maybe even better. A welcomed
quiet comes over us with “Winter Song”. Written by American singer,
songwriter and pianist Sarah Barreilles, this one has the band restrained over
Bobby Jarzombek’s smooth brushwork. We’re back to traditional for “What
Child Is This,” then the mood shifts drastically for the next two numbers.
This is where the band has the most fun on Winter Songs. “Christmas
For Everyone” has such a commercial and light feel, it deserves a place
on radio play lists alongside Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Xmas Time,”
Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and other perennial
holiday rock faves. Then there’s the even more straight-ahead “I Don’t
Care” with Halford (the band and the man) just having a blast. Two traditional
tunes end the CD. “Oh Holy Night” is as big and heavy as you’d
expect from this band. Halford wails and you wonder this guy’s voice ever suffers
from any wear and tear. “Come All Ye Faithful” benefits from Jarzombek’s
big tom rolls on this note-for-note rendition. Listening to Winter Songs
is to celebrate 10 songs from a great band, no matter what holiday it is.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
