Earsplit sent over these details: Composed and produced by J.J. with vocals and artwork, by brother/Monstrosity throat Mike Hrubovcak, Death Metal Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics was engineered by Hate Eternal mastermind Erik Rutan and J.J., mixed and mastered by Brian Elliott all at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and boasts five deformed Christmas classics.

Far from a campy holiday metal record, Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics comes replete with updated arrangements, blast beats, double bass drum battery, hellbound guitar solos and new lyrics with a purpose. A death metal record first and Christmas album second, the themes of the hymns were used as a foundation for the music and can mostly be heard in the right channel. Everything else was built around the theme -- solo sections, intros, outros, harmonies, etc. It was important from the start that this album not be a joke, but a serious record that could survive outside of the Christmas season and thus the resulting symphony of sickness.

Since many hymns written ages ago are dark in nature, they were obvious concept choices. The lyrics have been altered to portray a possible future outcome to mankind's current path and focus on Azrael, the angel of death in some Islam, Sikhism and Hebrew lore. Bear witness to the "Unrest For Melancholy Men (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)," the beginning of this torrid holiday tale that centers itself on Azrael's birth and foreshadows what's to come.

Elaborates JJ, "At this stage in the story, the earth is in great turmoil, thus the melancholy men who can get no rest from their suffering. Cultures from around the world are looking for answers. The song lyrics basically warn the human race that this demon is now born and will seduce every last mind on this planet into altering their morals and convictions to suit his purpose unless man refocuses. He is not at all direct but very insidious."

"Unrest For Melancholy Men (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)" is currently streaming here.

Christmas - Hellish Renditions Of Christmas Classics track listing: