The Christmas season has arrived for another year, which means it is the season to be constantly inundated by Mariah Carey's 1994 festive classic All I Want For Christmas Is You. Inarguably THE most dominant modern Christmas song ever penned, the inescapable anthem is doing what it always does at this time of year, topping the charts in the USA for the fifth consecutive year, 29 YEARS after its initial release. In Australia it is sitting at #3 on the ARIA charts this week, continuing a worldwide phenomenon that has seen it chart at #1 in over 25 countries throughout its globe-conquering quest. Its staying power and continued seasonal relevance have resulted in it also being one of the most commonly covered Christmas songs known to man.
The combination of those factors means not hearing the song at this time of year is about as unlikely as having no awkward moments at your work breakup or family Christmas gathering. So instead of resisting, this year at Maniacs we are leaning into the trend, in the only way we know how, by curating the best rock and metal cover versions of this perpetually popular and irresistibly boppy pop anthem in the hope that the next time we hear the song in public, it'll be because someone is blasting these rockin renditions and holding the metal horns up high. Hail satan, err...SANTA. Hail SANTA.
Top 8 Rock & Metal Covers Of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
My Chemical Romance
Pure emo Christmas bliss. The way Gerard sinks his teeth into the vocal character and the kitchen sink approach of the band give this joyous anthem some real cartoon snark. Perfect.
Our Last Night
The best new entry in the cover pool for 2023, this rocks because vocalists Trevor and Matt Wentworth don't back down from Mariah's intimidating vocals, instead strapping themselves in and heading for the stratosphere fearlessly, soaring over the top of brilliantly constructed modern hard rock instrumental. We'd take a Christmas record from these guys, yesterday.
Alex Terrible (Slaughter to Prevail)
This vocal cover from the 'no mic needed', bear wrestling, more jacked than Jackman in Wolverine, Russian Force of nature is honestly the funniest and most brutal rendition of this track we've ever heard. Seriously, just try and recreate some of those tones. Play this one for your Grandma.
August Burns Red
The undisputed kings of metal Christmas covers, this is another brilliant instrumental offering from August Burns Red, the guitars are stellar. Throw this one under your TikTok videos of the festive season.
Lauren Babic
A LOT of YouTubers in the metal world have covered this, but this is our pick of the bunch. What a powerhouse performance over the top of a banging arrangement. We're looking forward to moshing around the Christmas tree to this one.
Tarja
Talk about vocal chops. This pristine cover by former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen is a little less rockin' than the other entries on this list but it is easily the most accomplished vocal performance. What a voice.
Against The Current
The most 'pop' of the entries on this list, but in the best possible way, this modern pop-punk update of the tune is a sugary delight.
From Ashes To New
Modern metalcore and Mariah make for a weirdly good pairing. The riff grooves, the vocal approach is understated, and the result is something that wouldn't sound out of place on The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack if that soundtrack was written by Ice Nine Kills.
Need more of a rock and metal festive fix?
Head over to our Very Metal Maniacs Christmas Special and All I Want For Christmas Is Emo playlists now.
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