A Thrashing Holiday SIngle from Zugar

A lot of times, the holidays can mean different things to different people. Plenty of us love Christmas and everything it brings, but there's also the other side of that coin, the side that lets us remember we may see and have to deal with people we really don't feel like dealing with at the time.

This is a sentiment that is so incredibly relatable that Zugar has spun the concept into a full-fledged, heavy-hitting, metal Christmas banger.

"Merry Chriztmaz" not only drives the edgy and sort of dark side of the holidays, bringing out all the annoyances and frustrations, stressors and tension that may come with it, but they do it in the form of a thrashing metal single that really comes through with influences of punk rock, and its underbelly.

The reason I say this is because the song does thrash hard, but there's also a lot of crew vocals chanting "Ho Ho Ho" in the background of the choruses and which gives me a classic punk feel.

The single starts with a ferocious riff that's super catchy, sort of bounces, but also has all the heavy edginess that you would expect.

This was such an addictive riff, and they open up with it, so once they go into the verses again.

They do bring it back, of course, two or three more times, and I love that because it's so hooky.

The drumming on this track is outstanding. The drummer has such a natural way of pushing the song forward. He doesn't just sit in the pocket; he makes things lively, and I feel like the rest of the band has a way of feeding off of that.

Actually, the whole thing feels almost like it was recorded live on the floor, and everyone was feeding off of each other's energies the entire time.

The vocals are hard and heavy, but melodic as well, slightly raspy and grungy, and come through with some surprises around the corners.

There's also some crazy bridge sections with trudging and deepening refs, still thrashing really hard, and packed with energy, but the main riff and the verses, even the chorus, have a bit of a classic metal style, where the breakdown feels more current and a little bit more brutal.

Throughout this track, you can hear an absolute slew of influences under the band's belt, and I think that it comes from each individual player.

I think everyone brings their own influences to the table when these guys put together songs, and that's part of why this one is such a heavy hitter.

The track also boasts an absolutely killer guitar solo that just has such a cool flow to it and fits the song damn near perfectly.

This is something that I absolutely loved because there are a lot of heavy rock, alternative, and even metal bands that just somehow leave out guitar solos now.

I never understood why this started happening, and I've missed great guitar solos for a while, but I've noticed it coming back.

Zugar puts their holiday spirit on the line with this one, and it comes through with a closed-fisted, vivacious, and very charismatic approach.

Not only is this track a headbanger, but it also again expresses the other side of the holidays. The side no one really wants to talk about, but we all think about in our heads.

Still, this is a spirited Christmas single if I've ever heard one.

The track comes with a music video that features them in a warm and welcoming rehearsal room, decked out with holiday spirit in the form of Christmas trees, presents, lights, and all the guys are wearing Santa hats.

This was as amusing as watching a movie.

It does actually help capture the visual energy of the band, and they really put a lot into it, but it all just seems so natural for them.

It's been a while since I've heard an actual Christmas song that has zero walls built around it. There are no borders and no filters, and that's part of what makes this so unique and genuine.

After listening to this single, I realized I had to have a chat with the band to find out how this was put together and what might be coming up for them. 

So, while you listen to the single, have a read through of our interview with the band below. 

Remember where you heard this first.

Let’s talk about “Merry Chriztmaz”! This song came through with a heavy edge and a lot of spirit. Where did this track come from?

Merry Chriztmaz is basically a musical side effect of Christmas. Normally our songs come together in the rehearsal room, very organically, with everyone involved. This one was different. Tobias wrote it on his own, fueled by a long-standing love-hate relationship with the holiday season.

It’s that one time of year where people spend months avoiding each other, only to suddenly sit around one table pretending everything’s great. That usually works… right up until the first bottle of wine is empty. The song is intentionally exaggerated, dark, and a bit uncomfortable – because that feels more honest than fake smiles and jingle bells.

I'm hearing a few different approaches in this song! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Our common ground is definitely rooted in thrash and groove metal. Bands like Anthrax and Pantera were huge influences for all of us.At the same time, everyone in the band listens to very different stuff. We’re not genre-loyal at all. If it’s good music, it’s good music – whether that’s metal, rock, pop, country or something that doesn’t even have a label.

That mix naturally shows up in our songs. Heavy riffs, groove, strong hooks, and a bit of attitude. We don’t overthink it – we just keep what feels right and hits hard.

Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?

We did everything ourselves. Recording, mixing, mastering, video, filming – no external studios, no producers, no safety net. That was a very conscious decision.

On the one hand, it gave us full control. On the other, it kept things honest. Merry Chriztmaz wasn’t meant to sound polished or pretty. It’s supposed to feel rough around the edges, a little raw, and slightly uncomfortable – which fits the subject pretty well.

Do you guys write songs together, or are there a few main songwriters that bring ideas back to the rest?

Most of the time, we write together in the rehearsal room. Someone brings a riff, someone else tears it apart, and eventually it turns into a song. This track was an exception. Tobias brought in the full idea, and we shaped it together as a band afterwards.

In the end, it always has to sound like ZUGAR, no matter where the first spark came from.

How did this all start for you as a band?

We’ve been playing together in different setups for about 30 years. ZUGAR wasn’t a calculated project – it grew out of friendships, shared stages, endless rehearsals, and a lot of shows.

We’re a live band at heart. The stage is where we feel most comfortable. After that many years, you stop trying to impress and just focus on being real.

Are you performing live right now?

Yes – consistently, but selectively. We don’t play every weekend, but we make sure the shows we do play actually matter. Right now, the goal is clearly to get back on stage more often. We’re highly motivated, working on new material, and really enjoying the process again.

Is this your first holiday release?

Yes – and it wasn’t planned at all. We never set out to write a Christmas song. It just happened because the topic was there and felt worth talking about. If another holiday causes similar emotional damage, we’ll see what happens.

Now that this is out, what's next for you as a band?

We’re already working on new songs and will be releasing more material over the next months, including videos that fit the music. The focus is clear: new music, more shows, and staying true to what we are. ZUGAR feels very focused right now – relaxed, but hungry.

Who's in all your headphones right now?

That list would be way too long. It ranges from old thrash classics to modern heavy rock and completely non-metal stuff. If something has energy and character, it stays. If not, it’s gone. Simple as that.

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