We have to admit, we were surprised at how close this ‘headbanging’ collection came to topping the poll. Until we looked at the artists who contributed to it. The sleeve-notes read like a God damn rollcall of rock and metal royalty. Lemmy, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Alice Cooper, Dave Grohl, Vinny Appice, Billy Gibbons, Billy Sheehan... you get the picture.

But it’s the unexpected combinations, not the artists alone, which make this compilation so special: Lemmy + Gibbons + Grohl, for example, = the gnarliest version of Run Rudolph Run you’d ever sanely subject your ears to. Gentlemen, devil horns at the ready...

Listen: Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Rudy Sarzo and Simon Wright - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

BUY: We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year

Next: A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records/Phil Spector - Various Artists