I have my main staples and traditions for Xmas music.
Any other time of the year, I like to continously experiment and change playlists, compilations, artists etc but I find comfort in December doing always the same things, musically speaking.
My main Christmas bands are:
- TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (of course)
- THE WIZARDS OF WINTER (A TSO-like band, it was formed by ex members after all)
- RASKASTA JOULUA (all stars finnish metal ensemble, they do original songs and reworked classics)
The following artists have also enough Christmas songs / albums to justify an all winter / Xmas compilation:
- LOREENA MCKENNITT
- BLACKMORE's NIGHT
Other random albums / stuff I listen to:
- SYMPHONY NORTH (project with a lot of guests including our own James LaBrie)
- An unholy and insane mashup of Lovecraft lore and seasonal songs, look on YouTube "A Scary Solstice" and "An Even Scarier Solstice"
- There was a metal compilation with various artists, find the best song, a Dio / Iommi ultra heavy rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Other random stuff:
- Dropkick Murphys have an absolutely hilarious video about this time, The Season's Upon Us.
- Goo Goo Dolls made a wonderful song, This is Christmas.
- Patty Gurdy, YouTube underground star, has a magnificent folky and lovely tune, The Yule Fiddler
- Rob Halford has Winter Songs and Celestial in his catalogue, two Xmas albums
- Tarja Turunen did some dark and spooky covers of Xmas classics, the second album like that is out now