Holiday Anger Issues Mix
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a playlist around some theme. This week, Alexis M. Collazo assembles some tracks to help cope with the many frustrations and aggressions the holidays bring. Read Alexis’ thoughts on each song and listen along to the Spotify and YouTube playlists below.
Whether it’s gift shopping, family gatherings, or office party crashing terrorists, tensions are high and tempers easily flare up during the holiday season. Personally, I have a short and very explosive temper. For years, I tried controlling my anger which usually led to even worse eruptions after bottling it up for too long. Eventually, I realized that rocking out to some loud, angry music is the best way to embrace my inner rage without having a full-blown meltdown. Here’s some favorites that amp me up and provide the needed release.
For best results, I recommend listening on full volume before heading out or on the way to your in-laws, then headbang, mosh and sing/scream along as much as possible. That way when the family dinner inevitably turns into Battle Royale, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
1. “Walk” by Pantera
This is the song that inspired this list in the first place. It gets me amped up and wanting to punch something every time I hear it. One day, I realized I needed a whole playlist of songs like that.
2. “I Could Care Less” by DevilDriver
This list would not be complete without at least one DevilDriver song, a band that sounds like it’s mostly fueled by anger and adrenaline. This is one of my favorite songs to turn all the way up and scream along to when I’m frustrated, annoyed or generally in a bad mood.
3. “Party Up (Up In Here)” by DMX
DMX is one of the few rappers I listen to. Whether it’s barking, growling, or spitting rhymes, he was constantly channeling his rage into the mic. This song serves as a challenge and a warning to anybody that dares cross you.
4 . “Just A Girl” by No Doubt
Dredged from the depths of my angsty teen years, this song invokes the very particular rage of constantly being underestimated, undermined, and judged unworthy because you’re a girl. Even decades later, it still gets me all riled up and ready to punch dudes in the throat before they can start mansplaining.
5. “Machinehead” by Bush
While I’m revisiting my teen years, I had to include Bush. It was my go-to band for all kinds of bad moods. This song will forever be associated with Mark Wahlberg’s performance in FEAR. Now there’s a guy with some anger issues.
6. “Bodies” by Drowning Pool
Who hasn’t imagined going on a murderous rampage when pissed off? This is the absolute perfect soundtrack for daydreaming about dropping bodies.
7. “Ya’ll Want A Single” by Korn
Korn is one of my favorite bands with plenty of songs that just scream anger issues. To be honest “Y’all Want A Single” isn’t even one of my top favorite songs by them. But there’s just something so cathartic about singing/screaming “fuck that” over and over.
8. “Not Falling” by Mudvayne
Another nu-metal band with tons of energy and headbangable beats. This song comes with the added bonus of lyrics that sound so much like a rage-induced rant.
9. “Them Bones” by Alice In Chains
You probably would have expected “Angry Chair”, but that’s just a bit too literal for me. Meanwhile, everything about this song revs me up for a fight.
10. “Duality” by Slipknot
This song earns a spot on this list for multiple reasons. Its lyrics invoke that intense fury that sometimes comes with the urge to hurt yourself.
Plus, it reminds me of an old ex-boyfriend. Either way I can’t listen to the song without feeling a bit of wrath bubbling up.
11. “The Way I Am” by Eminem
Another masterful lyricist who made a career using his anger at everybody and everything. I love this song because he just lays it out: “This is who I am, and you can fuck off if you don’t like it.”
12. “Bloodline” by Slayer
Because, SLAYER!!!!!! Every angry metalhead knows the joy and release of screaming Slayer for no reason. I chose this song because it inspires murderous daydreams of bathing in the blood of my enemies.
