Long live Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee. Eternity to Lemmy.
by Rafael Masini
I discovered Motörhead when I was 13 years old and a friend lent me a record. It was a live album with a wonderful cover. What caught my attention was that the lighting was provided by a metal airplane that was above the musicians' heads. I'm talking about the incredible "No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith". In my ignorant innocence and addicted to "Ride The Lightning", I thought: "I wonder if James has ever heard this band?"
Today, 30 years later, I find myself facing the giant "Bad Magic".
I bought it on iTunes and I miss having the CD in my hands. But that will only happen in a few days. By September 12th I will have already bought the physical, heavy album.
Click to purchase the album on iTunes.
From his very first performance, Lemmy shows that he's in excellent health and doesn't hold back on the electrifying "Victory Or Die ." Wonderful moments include the duet with Lemmy and Mikkey Dee, drumming and vocals to get you headbanging.
And without a break, the album continues with the familiar bass tone and youthful energy of " Thunder & Lightning , " "Fire Storm Hotel "—the latter with doubled vocals in the chorus—and the boss's order before Phil's solo: "Burn .
Then the drums take over and announce the start of Shout Out All Of Your Lights , a song with a wonderful, powerful chorus, the kind that makes you want to tear your throat out at live shows.
That's when he appears. The Devil . And he appears in the form of a king, the guitar solo is by Brian May. It's soul-stealing.
In "Teach Them How To Bleed," Lemmy seems to hold his breath between sentences. Brilliant.
Electricity and Evil Eye are two songs that are just over 2 minutes each. Enough to make it clear how current, fast, and aggressive Motörhead is, and that they know how to make the recipe with new and turbocharged ingredients.
This is also the case in "Teach Them How To Bleed ," a song with a chorus that builds steadily and where Lemmy seems not to breathe between phrases. Brilliant.
Then comes the "ballad" Till the End . Beautiful, with the distortion kicking in during the chorus and a sing-along solo. A song to light a lighter and cry out loud along with our gentle Lemmy.
Tell Me Who To Kill , Choking On Your Screams , and When The Sky Comes Looking For You keep the pulse high towards the end of the album. They don't let the ball drop. They leave the listener and the headphones wanting more and lamenting the end of the record.
And then comes song number 13, Sympathy For The Devil . A strong drum beat provides the base for the vocals, and the guitar attack adds aggression. Perhaps, in my opinion, the album could have ended without it. Although Motörhead gives the song a new and heavy feel with impressive solos by Campbell, my dislike for the Rolling Stones makes me prefer not to listen to this otherwise well-executed cover.
I'm a huge Motörhead fan and I feel rewarded with this album. Competence and respect for the legion of fans they've built over these decades. An album to listen to many times, and to like more each time.
Long live Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee.
Eternity to Lemmy.
