Review: Originally released in 1989, Altars Of Madness would not only serve as the debut full-length from Florida's Morbid Angel but is also considered to be on the first true examples of the death metal genre, with its use of frenetic guitar work, blast beat drumming, guttural vocals and extremely horrific lyrics. Recorded at the iconic Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, home to seminal recordings from other death metal peers such as Cannibal Corpse, Death and Obituary, this sonic blueprint laid a foundational groundwork that has been emulated, bastardised and progressed, yet the rigid skeleton has consistently remained the same. Reissued on blue and black smoke vinyl by the old school heads at Earache, Altars Of Madness is an essential shelf-lifer for any self-respecting death metal devotee and continues to age like a fine wine in some Transylvanian villain's cellar.
Review: Originally released in 1984, No Remorse would serve as a compilation album from London's homegrown metal legends Motorhead, marking the end of their time on Bronze Records. Following the departure of Brian "Robbo" Robertson and drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor after 1983's Another Perfect Day, this would spell the end of the classic trio line-up which had already been shaken by the replacement of "Fast" Eddie Clarke by Robertson following 1982's fan favourite Iron Fist. According to Lemmy, the label were unhappy with his own personnel changes, lacking confidence in a new lineup they hadn't heard themselves, while once they announced news of a greatest hits-style compilation, the gravel-throated vocalist/bassist surmised it as "readying the death knell" for the group, hence his insistence on including new material as well as compiling the tracklist. Marking the first recordings from the next era of Motorhead featuring Lemmy alongside Phil Campbell, Wurzel, and Pete Gill, the band would enter London's Britannia Row Studios for a week in May 1984 to bang out their contributions - 'Snaggletooth', 'Steal Your Face', 'Locomotive', and most notably, 'Killed by Death', while the collection boasts all of their past iterations' essential bangers up until this point such as 'Ace Of Spades', 'Overkill' and '(We Are) The Road Crew'.
Review: 1977 was a pivotal year for Motorhead, seeing as it saw the release of their debut, self-titled album and also the hiring of Fast Eddie Clarke, forging what is invariably seen as the classic line up of this seminal band. The year may be closely associated with the height of punk rock, but the ultra heavy metal stylings of Lemmy and co always crossed the divide and appealled to punk and metal fans alike. The 11 tracks here straddle the tracks written for that debut LP ('Iron Horse/Born To Lose', 'Vibrator' and 'White Line Fever') and older material such as 'Motorhead', originally penned by Lemmy's previous employers Hawkwind, their cover of Eddie Holland's Motown classic 'Leaving Here' and 'On Parole', first recorded with Clarke's predecessor Larry Wallis in 1976 then shelved. The sound of one of the finest bands ever just beginning to hit their stride.
Review: It isn't too absurd to consider that Motorhead appeared at the 2007 installment of the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival, when the organising team are renowned for purposefully selecting the best artists of leftfield variety to add dynamics to their line-up, and offer respites from the jazz-centric billing. All that said, there's still no denying the face-melting bizarre turn from one of the greatest heavy rock/metal acts to ever shred, and now the set has been immortalised on wax. Featuring essential cuts from their back catalogue such as 'Killed By Death', 'Iron Fist', 'Overkill', and (of course) 'Ace Of Spades', it's a genuine joy to hear Lemmy and co utterly embracing their newfound audience and delivering a breakneck sonic spectacle only the trio knew how to deliver.
Review: With the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival constantly working to offer the most dynamic respites from their jazz-centric billing, and showcasing their tastes for the best in outsider (anything other than jazz) music, it shouldn't come as too much of a shock that the legendary Motorhead ripped a mammoth set apart back in 2007. Featuring a plethora of tracks from their catalogue such as 'Killed By Death', and 'Ace Of Spades', while also serving as the first official release to feature the trio's much loved cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Rosalie', it's delightful and absurd in equal measure to hear Lemmy and his cohorts embracing an entirely different type of audience to deliver one of the most unique sets of their latter days.
Review: The eight full-length from Motorhead is often regarded as one of their most underappreciated works. Originally released in 1982, 'Iron Fist' would be the final album from the classic Three Amigos era line up of Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. Citing the pressures of following up their, 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith' live album that debuted at no. 1 on the UK album charts, as well as the internally controversial decision to allow guitarist Eddie Clarke to produce, the end result would be a project respected and adored by most, with the exception of the men behind the craft. With Clarke's departure not long into the promotional tour, and the underwhelming regard Lemmy held the work in, it's times like this that we can thank the fans for championing the record and its praise for years to come. This 40th anniversary edition is mere proof that even sometimes the artist themselves doesn't get the last say on the staying power of their art.
Review: Boom! The year of 1979 saw not one but two classic Motorhead albums being dropped like atomic bombs on an unsuspecting but appreciative public. After the Overkill LP really put the 'Head on the metal map earlier in the year, Bomber consolidated their position as, to quote Spinal Tap's slightly tongue in cheek compliment, one of Britain's loudest bands. In fact, their show at Port Vale in 1981 would appear in the Guinness Book of Records as the loudest ever. Of course, there is much more to them than sheer volume and firepower though. Frontman and bassist Lemmy had cut his teeth as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix and tracks like 'Lawman' follow a similar lineage of blending heavy, psychedelic blues with a genuinely groovy funkiness. When they're on top form the trio of Lemmy, guitarist Fast Eddie and Phil Taylor are a finely trained crack squad, pulling some deft musical moves and unexpected about turns, too. Virtuosity neatly disguised as utter barbarianism - just how we like it. The Bomb!
Inferno Interview (Bel Age Hotel, California, April 2004 - part 1)
Inferno Interview (Bel Age Hotel, California, April 2004 - part 2)
Review: We Take No Prisoners is a definitive collection of the band's singles from 1995 to 2006, presented as a nine 7" single box set, and expanded double CD and digital editions. Spanning tracks like the relentless 'Sacrifice', their distinctive cover of the Sex Pistols' 'God Save The Queen', and the semi-acoustic 'Whorehouse Blues', the compilation highlights the band's enduring songwriting talent. The set also includes rare live and radio edits, along with a previously unreleased promo interview with Lemmy and Mikkey Dee from 2004. This collection captures the essence of an era and the songs that fuelled the success of the albums they came from.
Review: The second studio album from metal behemoths Motorhead saw the trio - in their classic line up form of Lemmy (bass, vocals), Fast Eddie Clarke on guitar and Philthy Phil Taylor on drums - truly hit their stride. In probabality, this LP, originally released in 1979, produced the biggest crop of classics of any in their career, with 'No Class', 'Capricorn', 'Stay Clean' and 'Metropolis' all joining the title track in the ranks of songs that would remain staples of their live sets for literally deacdes to come. The year is significant, as Overkill marks the band harnessing the anarchic overtones of punk to their metal power, with plenty of lyrical attitude added to the sharp riffing, 747-like basslines and double kick drum onslaught. This reissue restores the original tracklisting without the frills and extras of the 2005 remaster, but when it's all as shitkicking as this, why mess?!
Review: An essential collection of Motorhead's singles from 1995 to 2006, now available as an expanded double CD set. Featuring iconic tracks like 'Sacrifice', 'Love for Sale', and their electrifying cover of 'God Save The Queen', the compilation shows the band's relentless energy and songwriting talent during this era. Disc one highlights live versions of fan favourites such as 'Over Your Shoulder' and 'Overnight Sensation', while disc two continues with the gritty rock anthems 'Shut Your Mouth' and 'Whorehouse Blues'. The collection includes rare radio edits, live cuts like "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.," and an insightful 2004 promo interview with Lemmy and Mikkey Dee. The album exemplifies Motorhead's versatility, proving they never lost their edge. This double CD version boasts not only their hardest-hitting tracks as well as plenty of rare moments.
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