Christmas has come early.

Metal royalty Julie Christmas presents her cult following with a long-awaited second solo release, Ridiculous And Full Of Blood. Arriving a painful eight years after Mariner, a collaborative effort between Cult of Luna and Christmas, fans are itching for a first listen.

Before delving into the record, it would be impolite not to acknowledge the fantastic cover art. Striking a balance between beauty and terror, the image will surely grab attention based on the shock factor alone.

Kicking off the album is “Not Enough.” It is undeniably a momentum builder for what is to follow. The conversational lyrics combined with receptive drumming, leave little room for standout factors other than building tension.

With that being said, the transition into the second track, “Supernatural,” is striking. The perfectly screamed hook line leads to an even stronger chorus. Thanks to catchy melodies and increased creativity, listeners are taken on a more engaging musical journey throughout the duration. 

The vocal ability showcased by Christmas here is phenomenal and somewhat supernatural in itself. If “Supernatural” is a song boasting about her ability, the world agrees. Gloat away. 

Fronting the groups Made Out Of Babies and Battle Of Mice during the 2000s, Julie Christmas has showcased her vocal range for over 20 years. The track title “The Ash” continues this. 

Familiar cute whispers offer a sense of trust throughout the play. However, if the past 20 years of Julie Christmas have taught us anything, it is to keep our guard up. Bouncing from whispers to wailing, “The Ash” takes us on a rollercoaster of dynamics. 

Next up, “Thin Skin” is the trademark — I’m going to scream as loudly as the drums can play— metal whopper. As tasty as a burger, this track will cause a ruckus during live shows with band members giving it their all. 

“Thin Skin” is a track which encapsulates the artist’s energy and transfers it through to the listener. Pair this song with a morning coffee and life holds no limits.

As we reach the midpoint of the album, it becomes clear that we are listening to a musically sound production. The balance of robust, hard-hitting instrumentals coupled with a delicately fierce voice showcases confidence and genuine industry experience. 

Moving to track five, “End Of The World” opens with stripped-back drum rolls and an eerie guitar.  Offering a slight sound of psychedelia, Christmas joins shortly after, tiptoeing around our minds with that ever-so-familiar voice.

Similar to a siren luring a sailor, the enchanting vocals mesmerize listeners as they grab the outstretched hand. What a pleasant end to the world one may think.

Guest vocalist Johannes Persson crashes into the track like a ship to the rocks. The huge vocals from the Swedish powerhouse will have listeners jumping out of their skin during the first listen. The classic low growl of a metal vocal becomes even more powerful when combined with Christmas’ higher pitch.

As the album nears its end, the vocals drop to a slower tempo with the instrumentals following suit. The final track “Seven Days” features quiet tom fills and slowly strummed guitars, giving the hint that the album is coming to a close.

After an eight-year hiatus, Ridiculous And Full Of Blood gifts us another Christmas classic.