Review by Rob Broom for MPM
Gritty, catchy Christmas rock and roll from the excellent US four piece.
There was a time when when rock and metal bands just didn’t ‘do’ Christmas, but times change. The ‘We Wish You A Metal Xmas’ compilation album, ‘A Twisted Christmas’ by Twisted Sister along with Cheap Tricks ‘Christmas Christmas’ are all entertaining ways to raise the volume around Yuletide.
There are plenty more of course, Manowars excellent version (in German) of ‘Silent Night’ and in the early to mid 1970’s, as glam rock ruled the UK charts, we had Wizzards ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ and of course Slade with ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’. Not to be outdone, the Kinks also dropped in the brilliant ‘Father Christmas’ as punk rock was reverberating around the airwaves.
Joining that list of rock royalty (and apologies to those artists I have missed, my knowledge of Christmas releases is not as extensive as it may seem!), we now have American Jetset and ‘Black Coal For Christmas’. This single cut follows on from their recent thunderous ‘Hells Out To Get Ya’ and ‘Firestarter’ release and earlier this year, the staggeringly awesome four track EP ‘Love Kills’.
While ‘Black Coal’ has a more traditional gritty rock and rock sound compared to the other recent fist pumping releases, the good news is the band are maintaining the quality and standard that they set down so far this year.
‘Black Coal’ has plenty of swagger and attitude, with lyrics that rock lovers around the world will appreciate and a catchy chorus line that is infectious! After all, any Christmas song that contains the line ‘too late the devil is calling’ has got to be a winner!
The song plays out with some great guitar work, thumping drums, bass and piano. Arguably you could listen to ‘Black Coal For Christmas’ at anytime of year, but certainly I can imagine it will be very popular live at future American Jetset December shows!
Like all the American Jetset releases this year, repeated plays enhance the listening experience and ‘Black Coal’ is certainly a pounding alternative to some of the other Christmas fare out there, just turn it up loud!
So, in conclusion, don’t be a Scrooge, treat yourself to an early Christmas present and buy all this years American Jetset releases!
Stream it loud and scream along. One more thing…F#@% you, Santa!
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47BStgS
Apple: https://apple.co/3R2iKzN
Get CD Stocking Stuffers: https://bit.ly/3QZkMAC
