Brett Lunceford of Zaftig Research has been in the noise scene since 1997 or so and has done Christmas compilations since about 1999. Several years were missed but I'm sure things got busy as they do with all of us, it is nice to have him actively doing them again though. Instead of trying to pick favorite tracks and describing them here is a short piece about each track in the order that they appear.

C/A/T brings a track (X-Mas 2020) filled with samples from the news about Christmas events canceled by COVID-19 and slow rhythms.
Nava Spatiala presents a beautiful glitchy ambient piece (Promise Number 5).

Conure pretty notoriously records a track every year based on Ralphie from a Christmas Story but this year's track is (Randy’s Turn). Randy being Ralphie’s younger brother the track is compromised of several loops and layers masterfully placed for a fun/ominous track.

Humanfobia layers dark spooky drones and haunting indecipherable female vocals. Really beautiful haunting track. (Cold Nights On Route 182)

Larmschutz successfully uses a horn or horn sample to layer into a guitar droney piece called (Nasty Sliding Boy).

Next, we follow Miguel A. Garcia and Garazi Gorostiaga into an abandoned factory for some cold rattling winter drones (Skeenines). I have fairly recently discovered Miguel’s work through the project Wolkorots, and have been slowly working my way through checking out his great catalog of sounds.

Orange, the power electronics project of label founder Brett Lunceford brings a bleak look at what will be the (Last Christmas) for a lot of folks.

Narishkeit creeps in with a slow ambient piece, not too sure of the origin of this project but I like what I have heard on a previous Christmas compilation and an Inner Demon's CD. (326.096 Minuten Tussen Vier Muren)

This Is What I Hear When You Talk is a project from Dan who runs Inner Demons. This project brings such a mix of emotions at all times. He has an entire page dedicated to Harsh Noise Wall textures “inspired” by various forms of feelings and emotional trauma and self-doubt. In several of his releases off that page, he also injects humor into the titles of his pieces. (I See No Reason Why This Shouldn't Be The Best Xmas Ever)

Yaka-anima is a side project of Humanphobia, from what I can see online this project delves into Witch House, which is fine by me. I personally enjoy the genre. This track may not be for everyone who would enjoy the other projects on this compilation, I dig the change up myself. (The Climber's Ghost Of The North Pole)

Stolen Light, another project from Brett, is a master at layering found/sampled sounds. Everything feels organic, the textures are wonderful. (Sleigh Ride Accident)

Foot And Mouth Disease is a name I am familiar with because of the two releases available from Inner Demons. Here Foot And Mouth Disease has a piece that would go great on any cold lonely night. The title of the piece (Jingle Bell Cock) doesn't really fit with the track from what I hear but it is a good track nonetheless.

Praying For Oblivion is no stranger to the Zaftig Christmas compilations, he has appeared on a few in the past and always brings a great representation of his sound. (Weihnachtsgrüße Der Ostfront)

While I used to follow Ben Arp’s work more closely in the past I wasn’t aware of the project Corvx De Timor, which according to Discogs is his Witch House pseudonym. This track is a bit noisier than what I would consider standard for that genre. There is also a story about the Spirit Of Christmas spoken over it. I will have to go back and see what this project is all about in the near future. (The Spirit Of Xmas)

Goose brings a beautiful ambient track called Christmas Morning that sounds like a morning opening presents with the kids. Really well done, a good listen even if it feels like you are just a fly on the wall looking in on someone’s personal life. It does showcase a time we can reflect upon when a lot of the stress of life is put on hold. Thanks, Brett! (Christmas Morning)

This is another successful compilation for the Zaftig Research Christmas season and I hope Brett continues to curate these in the coming years.