Christmas prog metal song - with a difference!

http://soundcloud.com/markhaigh/this-is-christmas

Words i wrote a long time ago, but they are still appropriate! Away for 4 days so wanted to get this out there, not the best mix but let me know so i can remix it next week! I apologise in advance for a) the vocals (yes, i am singing on this one, no growls) and b) the fake bass. 

Style is prog metal. Not so much Christmas cheer, more Christmas jeer!

This is Christmas


In an age where we need man-made snow
As the winds of global warming blow,
the Army's the star of the Variety Show
and only drugs can give you a seasonal glow

This is our Christmas in the information age;
can you afford to celebrate on the minimum wage?
God loves you too, whether Muslim or Jew,
we're all the same in the primordial soup.

Santa smiles as the child in the store
but can you trust him anymore?
Make sure he's police-processed,
no dirty old man in a soiled string vest.

This is our Christmas, good tidings to all,
Drink to excess and look for a brawl.
A half-cooked turkey ready to carve
While half a billion people starve.

This is our Christmas, a time to remember
The poor and needy (until the end of December)
Shut out the world and its attendant woes
Watch how the credit card bill grows and grows.

This is our Christmas, this is our truth
It ain't Santa but a thief on the roof.
On the brink in the Middle-East,
But still we proclaim the joy of peace...

For this is England at Christmastime,
don't associate us with the filth and the slime.
If i shut my eyes i don't see any crime
As the slay (sic) bells begin to chime...

It gives me the warm and fuzzies.... 

 nice playing on the guitar.... the bass was kinda lacking. 

Hot guitar and drums! Love the riffs!

Hmmm. Where do I start? Perhaps I shouldn't.

Loved the music.

I always like your music.  Regular vocal is a nice change, imo.  The lyrics are depressing to me, BUT THEY ARE SPOT ON WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE NOW!  Maybe things have always been that way, who knows.  Very interesting song.  Nice break where all stops but the guitar.  You are definitely way out there, Mark, BUT that's a good thing. 

Hi Mark, wow, this is getting better and better.I can even understand the vocals ; ). There is some serious guitar playing here ! Timing is superb, excellent shredding and even clean guitar. Excellent !.

Rik

Hey Mark,
EXCELLENT performance!  Now thats how you think Out Of The Box.
Crazy good my friend.

Kev

That was some great guitar work! 

Hi, Mark,


Wow, very cool song loaded with excellent riffage and spectacular drum work!


Dynamite guitar playing, great tone, and the songwriting and arrangement are really top notch.  I absolutely love the "bubbly" guitar part during the prechoruses, very tasty stuff.  My only minor nit is that the vocals sound a little dry and maybe just a touch too up front.  Maybe a narrow eq notch in the 500hz area would make the vocals blend a little better with the rhythm guitars.  As always, just a suggestion based on personal opinion, which is always subjective!


Anyway, fantastic performance and production, my friend!
Bob

mgh

Away for 4 days so wanted to get this out there, not the best mix but let me know so i can remix it next week!

Loved this.
Forget about you remixing it, send it to me and I will sound make it HUGE.

As always Mark, great tone and guitar playing! Hearing that 'jazzy' guitar mid-section made me smile cause I never heard you play like that before. I like your musical diversity/skill!!

I had to crank this up to hear the bass tho..might just be my hearing, but figured I mention that.

My only beef these days with Christmas is the 'boss' makes me spend countless hours putting up lights and decorations cause they look so 'pretty'.

Hi Mark. Why does the turkey have to be half cooked? I really love that. I also love your willingness to attempt and follow through anything you feel like in a tune. The sequenced guitar riff is cool as is the solos and I like the warped, sour feeling the break at 3:13 gives the song and the way it kicks in after. You're vox kinda sound like you're a long lost relative of the Davies brothers. Very enjoyable. 

Hi Mark,

Great song, man. Killer riffage and shredding, as always. Cool chords in the clean section!

Excellent melodies, both vocally and instrumentally

"slay bells"...haha! love that!

Great job Mark, I like this one a lot. Very substantial vocal melody, clever lyrics, nicely performed.

Nice work on the vocals and the guitar power-chord vibe rocks.  Nice tones on the lead too.  I thought the vocals needed a little kick on the high end of the EQ in the firs half.  It rocks.

Dayl