I hadn’t noticed this the previous years, but it seems that every metal/hardcore band (and beyond) has released its Christmas sweater this year. While browsing Facebook, I keep finding these ugly bright red, evergreen – with still a large touch of black of course – holiday-theme sweaters, on sale on every page, and sometimes, for a very limited time only! I first saw the QOTSA one, with the reindeers getting very busy, but they actually stole the idea to the band Attila… such a classy design that you can wear anywhere with pride.
Who is buying these things anyway? If you check the prices, these sweaters are very expensive, $75-80 for Slayer and Metallica, although the Descendents’ one at $25 is a total bargain! But even if you dare to wear it around Christmas, this beauty probably doesn’t leave the drawer the rest of the year, or you may really look ridiculous wearing it in the middle of August.
But why are all these bands doing it? Because I automatically get into the Christmas spirit when I hear Slayer! Actually to be honest the Slayer sweater is from last year, and the Descendents have done it since 2011, so they may be the trendsetters since the idea totally took off! Meaning that even punk bands which preach independence and free-thinking follow the trend like sheep…let’s note Anthrax’s originality with a Hanukkah shirt.
Let’s face it, Christmas sweaters are tacky or nerdy, but there’s no way you can look cool when wearing any of these fake-retro-looking outfits. I have never been to a Slayer concert, but I heard that these Satanists used to be really scary and of course very blasphemous. So I don’t see any reason to wear a Slayer Christmas sweater unless you are pissed off at your family and want to shock your great uncle at the next Christmas party? In this case these fucking reindeers should do the job.
