Label: UDR GmbH

Release Date: August 28, 2015

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by: Todd "Toddstar" Jolicoeur

It is inevitable that if a band stands the test of time, they will bend to current trends at some point during their career and create a disc that leaves their fans wondering what happened... unless that band is Motörhead.  These guys churn out disc after disc of solid rockers that always sound like typical Motörhead fare.  "Victory Or Die" opens the disc with the familiar vocals and rumbling of bass, drums, and riffs.  The track takes the rock-punk tempo the band has made its calling card and gives it a killer edge that has a modern sound, but is all  Motörhead.  "Thunder & Lightning" is next and features some killer drums courtesy of Mikkey Dee.  The guitar riffs at the bridge add punch and keep the track from sinking into a bottom heavy comfort zone.  "Shoot Out All Of Your Lights" brings furious skin pounding and Lemmy's heavy handed bass to the party, along with awesome guitar work from Phil Campbell.  "Electricity" is the shortest track on the disc, but still packs a punch with solid rhythm section, vocals, and guitars all swirled together.  "Teach Them How to Bleed" is more classic goodness from the band that seems to highlight the vocals and bass playing with Lemmy turned up in the mix and delivering a great performance that is enhanced by Campbell's fret work at the bridges.  "Tell Me Who To Kill" has a killer bassline that carries the track from open to close.  Lemmy's voice and bass are in top form on this track and are supported well by the solid playing of Campbell and Dee.  "When The Sky Comes Looking For You" is another rock track that leans heavier to the rock side and leaves the heavy punk at the door.  Dee's drumming is great and leads the charge while the guitars and vocals run through the bridge and chorus respectively.

"Fire Storm Hotel" is more of a solid rock tune and less punk tempo track.  The guitars are solid and add depth to the track and disc.  The vocals are all Lemmy, but lean towards a mellower rock vocal that seems calculated and smooth compared to other tracks.  "The Devil" has all of the components that make a classic Motörhead track - the gravel throated Kilmister, sonic guitars from Campbell, and a charging backbeat from Dee.  The song should go over well live and get horns in the air.  "Evil Eye" opens with a tribal drum sound that gets a lift from a fun bass line, and guitar work that delivers a solid groove.  "Till The End" is an interesting track that, while sounding a bit different from everything else on the disc still sounds unmistakeably like Motörhead.  This mellow track is as close as these guys get to a ballad, but this works!!!  "Choking On Your Screams" brings Campbell's guitar work to the forefront and gives him room to run from verse to verse and soar through the choruses and bridge.  The heavier vocal is a different sound for Lemmy, but it suites the track.  Disc closer "Sympathy For The Devil" is an awesome take on the Rolling Stones classic that adds a twist to the track, not only because of the vocals, but the approach taken with the percussion and guitar work, where Campbell places some cool fills that help put the bands stamp on this version of the track.

Tracklisting: Victory Or Die - Thunder & Lightning - Fire Storm Hotel - Shoot Out All Of Your Lights - The Devil - Electricity - Evil Eye - Teach Them How to Bleed - Till The End - Tell Me Who To Kill - Choking On Your Screams - When The Sky Comes Looking For You - Sympathy For The Devil

MOTÖRHEAD LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

ITUNES