The Fear have dropped a surprise Christmas present for their fans. The Manchester alt rock and nu metal outfit have released Christmas Time, a four track EP featuring an original holiday single alongside covers of beloved seasonal classics.
The title track, ‘Christmas Time (The Best Is Yet To Come)’, delivers exactly what you’d hope for, equal parts festive warmth and chunky riffs. It’s the kind of song that sounds like it was written in a room full of mates, drinks in hand, celebrating making it through another year. Drummer and producer Benj Ashmead describes it perfectly: “We wrote ‘Christmas Time’ to feel like being in a warm room with your best people. Drinks up, memories flowing, everyone having a laugh.”
We love a good rock Christmas song this time of year, and The Fear have delivered something with genuine passion baked in. It’s fun, it’s loud, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The EP also includes covers of ‘Last Christmas’ (officially Whamageddon safe), ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, and ‘Feliz Navidad’.
Frontman Mick Satiar says the idea had been brewing for a while. “If we’re gonna do a Christmas EP, we might as well do it our way. Loud, brash, and with extra sleigh bells.”
This release follows their debut EP Falling Forward, which featured Metal Hammer track of the week ‘The End Is The Start’ and established The Fear as a band worth watching. Their first full year has seen them support Alien Ant Farm, SNOT, Nonpoint, and Mason Hill, building momentum show by show.
The Fear round off 2025 with a hometown show at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on December 13th. Tickets are available via their official website.
