The Definitive Holiday Gift Guide for Metalheads
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs
All too often, metal fans and musicians are left with hearing loss and tinnitus after rocking out for decades with unprotected ears. Standard foam earplugs are uncomfortable, unsightly, and ruin the sound quality of live music, which is why Vibes created Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs. Instead of blocking and muffling sound, Vibes (as seen on Shark Tank) reduce the volume of loud live music to a safer and more comfortable level, while still allowing you hear it clearly. These earplugs are reusable and discreet, and each pair also includes three sizes of interchangeable eartips and a pocket-sized carrying case. With Vibes, you’ll save your hearing, while still being able to fully enjoy your favorite music!
Buy: $23.99 via Vibes – use promo code METAL to get 15% off + free shipping
King Diamond No Presents For Christmas 12″ Picture Disc
To celebrate the holiday season, Metal Blade Records has now launched its annual “Chrismassacre” sale, featuring a variety of Christmas and winter merchandise plus a new King Diamond No Presents For Christmas 12″ picture disc (limited to 1000 copies!). The disc features the title track on Side A and “Charon” on Side B and is etched on 180g vinyl. Check out the King Diamond disc along with other holiday-themed metal items here.
Hellraisers: A Complete Visual History of Heavy Metal Mayhem
Co-authored by our own Axl Rosenberg and Chris Krovatin (Emperor Rhombus), Hellraiserstakes you on a journey through the history of metal from its earliest roots with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath to its popular modern incarnations. The book features cover artwork by Mark Riddick, a forward by Trivium’s Matt Heafy, exclusive interviews with members of Cannibal Corpse, The Obsessed, Killswitch Engage, Suicide Silence, Periphery and Coal Chamber, over 200 photos, genre-by-genre playlists and more. From AC/DC and Anthrax to Meshuggah and Mastodon, this hardcover coffee table book will be THE ultimate centerpiece in any metalhead’s living room.
Corey Taylor FaceSocks
Imagine the above socks, but with Corey Taylor’s face. Or anyone’s face, really. But why would you want anyone other than Corey’s? He is the Most Important Person in Metal and everyone knows it.
$45.95 for a socks + mug combo package at FaceSocks.com
“Metal Warz” Star Wars + Metal Mashup T-Shirts
These clever Star Wars-themed shirts spoof character names from the sci-fi trilogy in the style of famous metal band logos. Perfect for the Star Wars-loving metalhead in your life!
Rivers of Nihil Fanny Packs
Because nothing says “progressive death metal with saxophone” like a fanny pack, and surely you’ve got things you need to carry around with you that won’t all fit in your pockets. Vape pens, actual pens, dime bags, actual dimes, guitar picks, chapstick, makeup, your wallet, keys… the sky is the limit with what you can carry around in these, plus you’ll look insanely cool while doing so.
Buy: $13.99 at Indie Merch Store
Nixon x Metallica Watch Collection
A hardcore collection of 8 watches plus 1 Limited Edition. Born of a mutual respect between upstarts who buck the system and wind up changing it for good. Your Metallica-loving friend (aka ALL metalheads!) absolutely needs one of these sharp-looking watches by Nixon, each themed around a specific Metallica song or album. Seven main run models are priced between $125 and $250, while two limited edition pieces are priced at $500 and $750. Our favorites of the bunch are the “Seek & Destroy” and “Black Album” models, and the Pushead design is super sweet too.
Ibanez GRG 6 String Electric Guitar
Those finishes sure are pretty, aren’t they? This Ibanez model is a perfect starter electric guitar for the budding shredder in your household, and at a price that won’t break the bank if Little Johnny decides he wants to pursue a way more lucrative career in electronic music instead two months down the road.
Corey Taylor’s Book America 51: A Probe into the Realities That Are Hiding Inside “The Greatest Country in the World”
From Amazon: “The always-outspoken hard rock vocalist Corey Taylor begins America 51 with a reflection on what his itinerant youth and frequent worldwide travels with his multiplatinum bands Slipknot and Stone Sour have taught him about what it means to be an American in an increasingly unstable world. He examines the way America sees itself, specifically with regard to the propaganda surrounding America’s origins (like a heavy-metal Howard Zinn), while also celebrating the quirks and behavior that make a true-blue American. Taylor likewise takes a look at how the world views us, and his findings should come as a surprise to no one. But behind Taylor’s ranting and raving is a thoughtful and intelligent consideration, and even a sadness, of what America is compared to what it could and should be.”
Buy: $16.65 hardcover, $10.99 paperback and $9.99 Kindle on Amazon
Metallica’s “Blackened” Whiskey
Metallica’s own brand of whiskey, created in conjunction with master distiller Dave Pickerell (R.I.P.), was subjected to loud blasts of Metallica music during the aging process inside of black brandy barrels, which allegedly influences the flavor. Meyer Sound has engineered a proprietary subwoofer that amplifies the low-frequency sound waves necessary to get the juices moving. The whiskey is a blend of bourbons, ryes and other whiskeys. Blackened American Whiskey is available at select retailers through the U.S. and for order online, although not all states allow mail delivery of spirits.
Buy: $52.99 at ThinkWhiskey.com
JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Everyone needs a bluetooth speaker. May as well get one with good sound quality — JBL always delivers — and that can withstand the rigors of the beer you’ll surely be spilling all over it while you headbang furiously with your pals.
Black Metal Coffee Mug
Just because you drink your coffee with a little bit of milk doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it in this most blackest of black metal coffee mugs.
Buy: $12.50 from Fun with Robots
Slightly Wrong Metal T-Shirts
Wear one of these hilarious “slightly wrong” t-shirts to a metal concert and watch elitists side-eye you with rage. Worth it for those reactions alone!
Mosh Potatoes Metal Cookbook
Still a favorite despite being released nearly a decade ago, this cookbook features recipes directly from Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society and Ozzy, Lemmy of Motörhead, Dave Ellefson of Megadeth and MANY, many more.
High River Hot Sauces
Created by metalheads for metalheads (and for everyone else with good taste), some of these sauces are staples of the MetalSucks Mansion pantry: Tears of the Sun for a sweet tang, Hellacious Hot Sauce for some serious kick and Foo Foo Mama Choo for that Carolina Reaper pepper blast.
Shure Sound-Isolating Earphones
Shure manufactures several kinds of sound-isolating earphones at different price levels that are appropriate for all budgets. Block out the entire surrounding world and get the most of your music with these high-quality earphones.
Buy: $59.99 to $399.99 at Amazon
Stainless Steel Soap
This soap boasts the ability to “remove any unwanted smells or odors from your hands after handling things such as onion, garlic, scallion, fish etc.” Is it true that stainless steel-infused soap has the ability to expunge odors moreso than your standard bar of Dove? Who knows, but at this price you may as well take a gamble and find out with a fun gag gift for your most metal friend.
Got any more suggestions for our holiday gift guide for metalheads? Email [email protected].
