RICK MASSIE - O Come, All Ye Faithful (Track Premiere)

Written by: The Administrator

The holiday season fast approaches here at Ye Olde Sleeping Village, and, a such, our slumbering and ink-splattered populace has begrudgingly begun to prepare for the inevitable. A healthy stock of young evergreens have been sacrificed. Stockings have been hung by the chimneys in, erm, a haphazard and disorderly fashion. Our resident confectioner has nailed down a recipe for sugar plums, which we have elected to feed to the numerous resident mice. And, with the arrival of one Rick Massie, our soundtrack is set. Let the festivities begin.

Rick Massie has made quite the habit of releasing holiday-themed singles--the more observant members of our dear readership might remember a premiere of the Halloween inspired "The Dance (of the Dead and Alive)," and those of you who follow Rick's output in general may recall his cover of "We Three Kings" that dropped around this time last year. The tradition continues with a new reimagined version of a well known Christmas tune: today's premiere in question is a cover of the classic "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Give it a listen below, and, as always, we'll catch ye on the other side!

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"O Come, All Ye Faithful" is a song that sits firmly in the songbook of the olde-timey Christmas carolers that exist exclusively in the fairy-tale version of Christmas. It is a track meant for enthusiastic warbling, but here, Rick Massie leaves the carolers behind and leans fully into symphonic (yet borderline doomy) prog metal. A cheerful swell is maintained across the more boisterous moments, but, given the implicit good humor of a metallic cover of Christmas tune, Rick leans into the melodrama at times, allowing the somberly reverent (albeit self-aware) vocals to pave the way in the second act.

I particularly enjoy the instrumental break in the back half, which opens into an appropriate choir of angels and a high-flying solo. This is where the track truly comes into its own. Besides, y'know, the explicitly joyous and triumphant lyrical content, the original track itself succeeds by capturing a sense of  beatific excitement, and here, Rick Massie's interpretation carries over that lighthearted sense of joy and and spirit of wonder.

Look, if you're not a fan of Christmas songs, or covers thereof, Rick Massie isn't here to convert you. But if you enjoy a little tradition and a lot of good cheer, "O Come, All Ye Faithful" is certainly worthy of an addition to your holiday playlist. Give it another spin above, and check out Rick Massie's bandcamp here! 

Rick Massie - O Come, All Ye Faithful will be released Dec. 10th, 2022

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Rick Massie can be found:
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