Chimaira Christmas 8

After a rough period that included a bout of drummer-shuffling, band squabbles, and a label change, Chimaira returned earlier this year with the appropriately titled Resurrection. The local metal band spent a sizable chunk of 2007 on the road before abruptly halting its tour in the fall for a little refueling. "We honestly needed a break," says guitarist Rob Arnold. "Doing another tour would've killed us. I know bands tour for much longer stints than we had, but there were just some inner things that were going on. We just kind of needed a little break." Chimaira's annual Christmas present to fans also includes ear-bleeding sets by Terror, Kataklysm, and the End.