How about an instrumental Christmas album done by great rock guitarists? And they're not even all signed to Epic. In fact, most of them aren't! This was a project that Epic put together last year for the first time, and it was so successful, they're back this year with a whole new version.

Personally, I really appreciate a good guitarist, and like to see the nuances they each bring to what they're playing. If you're a fan of great rock guitar, no matter what the song is, you need to get this album without reading any further. If you need a little more encouragement, I'll do some name dropping here.

Try "Ted Nugent" doing "Deck the Halls," or maybe "John Sykes" version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. The songs are all Christmas standards, but these talented guys put a new twist on every one of them - whether carols or secular songs. "Steve Lukather" opens the album with a ripping 6+ minute version of "The Christmas Song." "Neal Schon" shines on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." Courtesy of "Zakk Wylde" is "White Christmas," and "Steve Stevens" really pulls you in with his rendition of "Do You Hear What I Here?"

Also represented are "Sleigh Ride" by "Stu Hamm," "O Come All Ye Faithful" by "Trevor Rabin," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by "Robin Trower" and "Carol Of The Bells" by "Al Di Meola." You already know the tunes, you should know these great musicians, now all you need is to hear the mix. A different kind of Christmas Standards album that deserves to be added to your collection, and hope there's a "Merry Axemas III" next year!