Veteran LA rocker Dan Sindel is taking a blowtorch to seasonal clichés with his new holiday novelty track, “Duck the Halls.” Originally written years ago for the TV show Duck Dynasty, the song has resurfaced as a high-energy, irreverent collaboration featuring Terin on vocals alongside Sindel’s signature multi-instrumental production. Eschewing the typical “Santa suits marching in lockstep,” the release is accompanied by an original animated video hand-drawn and created by Sindel himself—with a strict “No AI” policy. The visuals follow a crew of bumbling characters through a dangerous “Evil Forest” filled with menacing trees, offering a bizarre, South Park-style comedic break from the relentless commercialism of the season. It’s a perfect pivot for a musician who cut his teeth in the ’80s metal scene performing alongside legends like Accept, King Diamond, and Saxon.
Sindel, who produces every note of his eclectic music and animates his own media, describes “Duck the Halls” as a necessary relief for those feeling cynical about the holiday onslaught. With nods to the likes of Frank Zappa and Dr. Demento, the track fits comfortably into specialty comedy rotations and alternative holiday segments. “I’m no Grinch,” Sindel notes, “but the true meaning of Christmas has all but vanished beneath an onslaught of obscene commercialism.” By blending his heavy metal pedigree with a penchant for graphic design and absurdist humor, Sindel has crafted a holiday anthem that is as technically sharp as it is hilariously unconventional. It’s a “Duck the Halls” rallying cry for anyone looking to rock on through the seasonal noise while staying far away from the predictable holiday “soup d’jour.”