Published: January 14, 2021
Canada’s melodic rock powerhouse turns an ‘80s pop anthem into a guitar-driven celebration—injecting attitude, nostalgia, and much-needed joy into the holiday season.
Christmas is the world’s biggest holiday celebration, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ and uniting billions of people across cultures. Beyond tradition and family gatherings, the season has always had a deep connection to music—songs that lift spirits, spark memories, and soundtrack the entire month of December.
Enter Storm Force, the explosive Canadian hard melodic rock band who decided to shake up the holidays by releasing a powerful new version of “Last Christmas”, the iconic 1984 hit by pop duo Wham! Instead of sugary synths and glossy production, Storm Force reimagines the track with guitars, grit, and massive arena-rock energy. The result is a refreshing twist that bridges generations and genres.
Lead guitarist Greg Fraser explains the idea behind the cover:
“We thought it might be fun to jam out a Christmas song to help maybe put a little positivity back in this world. Picking the song was the tough part. Our bass player Mike insisted it should be Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ because no one’s really ever rocked that one up before.”
And he was right. Storm Force’s interpretation doesn’t just imitate—it transforms, turning a nostalgic pop anthem into a hard-melodic piece with punch, attitude, and an emotional edge that fits the holiday mood perfectly.
At the heart of the band’s sound is the versatile vocal power of Patrick Gagliardi (formerly of Surface Tension), whose delivery adds a dramatic flair to the arrangement. Fraser’s guitar riffs bring vintage swagger, while the rhythm section—drummer Brian Hamilton and bassist Mike Berardelli—locks into a dynamic groove that elevates the track from cover to celebration.
Produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Black Crowes, Sum 41, Big Sugar), Storm Force’s overall musical DNA pulls from a rich blend of influences: the melodic polish of Foreigner, the swagger of Cinderella, the classic rock heartbeat of The Who, and the guitar heroics reminiscent of Van Halen and Triumph. It’s a cocktail of massive choruses, hook-driven arrangements, and feel-good bravado.
Hailing from Niagara Falls, Canada, the band has been turning heads with their debut record, available worldwide through Escape Music—a label known to spotlight melodic rock excellence. Storm Force’s ability to honor the past while sounding undeniably current is part of their rising appeal.
Holiday covers are nothing new—but covering Wham! in the rock world?
That’s bold.
And pulling it off this well?
That’s something worth celebrating.
If you’re looking to crank up the volume, keep the nostalgia, and add some guitar crunch to your holiday playlist, Storm Force’s “Last Christmas” is a gift worth unwrapping.
Rock the season.
