Twisted Sister – A Twisted X-Mas: Live in Las Vegas
Eagle Rock Entertainment
All Access Review: B+
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| Twisted Sister: A Twisted X-Mas - Live in Las Vegas 2012 |
After all, what could be more blasphemous than for Snider to
put “Oh Come, All Ye Faithfull” under the blade and do unspeakable things to it
… and to the tune of “We’re Not Going to Take It” no less? That, my friends, is
twisted.
Not much was expected of the album, but to the surprise of almost
everyone, A Twisted Christmas was a
massive hit, and the lineup of Snider, guitarists Eddie Ojeda and Jay Jay
French, bassist Mark Mendoza, and drummer A.J. Pero decided to stick around a
little longer, performing here and there at the odd festival and other gatherings.
And, strangely enough, it’s been their Christmas music that’s played a big role
in their well-received revival.
So, with that holy day approaching, there’s nothing like a
Twisted Sister live release to spread some holiday cheer. This particular one
has been available before, as part of the 2011 Bars to the Stars 5-DVD box set, but it is now being reissued on
its own on DVD, CD and digital audio/video. A rollicking good time, as any
Christmas party in Las Vegas should be, A
Twisted X-Mas, out via Eagle Rock Entertainment, is a spirited, pile-driving mix of Yuletide favorites and
Twisted Sister classics. While the video versions of this set are visual
extravaganzas, it’s the raucous audio document that we’ll drink a toast to
here.
While it’s tempting to dismiss Twisted Sister’s metallic
takes on Christmas chestnuts as simple parodies, performed with a wink and a
grotesquely made-up smile, these old war horses seem to have a grudging respect
for them. And while the tone of the record can hardly be described as
“serious,” the always jolly Snider and his demented, denim-and-leather-clad elves
obviously enjoy bombing their way through a lighthearted and fun “I Saw Mommy
Kissing Santa Claus,” a sludgy “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” and their own
stomping “metal” version of the “12 Days of Christmas” – with a statue of Ozzy,
spandex pants and studded belts taking the place of five golden rings and a
partridge in a pear tree. The sequencing is interesting, however, considering
how they put “Come All Ye Faithfull” through its paces and ratchet up the tempo
right before Twisted Sister gnashes its teeth on its descent into the thrash-metal
pit of evil known as “Burn in Hell” – an odd juxtaposition to say the least.
Mostly, however, Twisted Sister tackles more secular holiday
fare, as their versions of “White Christmas” – with its scorching guitar leads
and a twin-guitar double helix that Thin Lizzy would kill for – and “Deck the
Halls” stampede through your Christmas office party, trashing the place with booze-fueled
mayhem they may or may not regret when morning arrives. But, as much devilish
glee as they take in reimagining these old standards with power chords and
Marshall amps turned all the way up, it’s the blazing defiance of familiar
Twisted Sister anthems such as “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “I Wanna Rock” and “You
Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll” that made the band a household name. And they tear
through them savagely on this night in 2009 – the rugged old chainsaw guitars,
brawling bass lines and pounding drums covered with more glitter than grit, but
still capable of inciting riots.
However, not all of the reworked Christmas material works,
even if it delivered with energy and volume. At times, you get the idea that Twisted
Sister is trying a bit too hard to pull off the impossible – that is, turning
quieter numbers like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” into something louder and
more brutish. To beat up Twisted Sister over something so slight, however,
would be like taking a dump in Santa’s cookies and milk. It is Christmas after
all.
-
Peter Lindblad
