As
I previously described in more detail within this week’s editorial article, “Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll?”, after forty years spent almost constantly touring, as
well as recording twenty-two studio albums, the end of Motörhead arrived in
2015 with the death of bassist and vocalist Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister at the age of
70. There’s not much to say about this album that will do it justice, but for
the final album of any band this stands as one of the best. When I listen this
album now I can’t help but feel that Lemmy, guitarist Phil Campbell, and
drummer Mikkey Dee had some kind of unrecognized clairvoyance that
subconsciously told them that this would end up being their final masterpiece,
because it’s just so evident that they truly gave their all to the music.
VICTORIA
AUT MORTE! ...Or as one would say in English:
1.
Victory or Die
Motörhead’s
final album kicks off with Lemmy furiously bellowing this song’s title as a kamikaze
rock and roll battle cry. Immediately the guitars and drums blast off at such a
brutal and thunderous pace, that one could easily imagine the band being aware
that this entire album would end up being their grand finale. Whatever the
case, this song is a perfect demonstration of how to start a fucking amazing
rock or metal album.
2. Thunder & Lightning
The
second track keeps up the speed and fury, kicking off with a fuzzy rapid-fire
guitar riff that sounds like a throwback to the band’s legendary 1980 hit, “Ace
of Spades”. Mikkey Dee’s endurance is the standout element here, as his
drumming barely slows below the pace of machine gun fire for the entirety of
the song.
3. Fire Storm Hotel
Things
slow down, but they stay plenty heavy with this mid-tempo hard rock ballad that
seemingly tells the tale of a hotel that burns down during a party, killing all
of the guests. A perfect example of how Motörhead’s most kickass songs aren’t
necessarily all fast ones, this song is a very enjoyable standout track.
4. Shoot Out All of Your Lights
The
speed picks up once again with one hell of a double bass drum beat from Mikkey
Dee, joined by the thundering guitar duo of Lemmy and Phil Campbell. This song
is pure headbanger heaven.
5. The Devil
This
track features a special appearance by guitarist Brian May of Queen, which is
honestly one of the only possible ways to make a Motörhead song more awesome
than it already is.
6. Electricity
This
is another solid fast-paced song, with a quick shredding guitar solo from Phil
Campbell. Nothing too special, but come on, its Motörhead. That’s special
enough.
7. Evil Eye
This
fast track has a dark occult-theme, which is actually somewhat of a rarity for
Motörhead. Lemmy’s low growling choruses are a definite highlight.
8. Teach Them How to Bleed
Here’s
another pretty standard Motörhead track... which is everyone else’s excellent
of course.
9. Till the End
A
deep and emotionally heavy song, even more so in hindsight. This song could be
considered Lemmy’s self-composed musical epitaph of sorts, as he weaves a
soulful reflection on life itself.
10. Tell Me Who to Kill
This
is another upbeat and heavy Motörhead standard, in which Lemmy describes his
ficticious side business as a heavy metal hitman.
11. Choking on Your Screams
Lemmy
keeps the vocals low and guttural in this song, growling out
extraterrestrial-themed lyrics that are reminiscent of Lemmy’s early days in
the space rock band Hawkwind, at least in spirit if not sound.
12. When the Sky Comes Looking for You
Just
one of many such songs in the band’s discography, this song stands as Lemmy’s
final morality warning to the world, as he would soon reach the day he would
leave it, with the clearest conscience of any mortal man.
13. Sympathy for the Devil
With
this excellent cover of the Rolling Stones’ classic song, Lemmy, always a
pragmatic fellow, definitely scored a few last minute points with the man
downstairs. The song, album, and Motörhead’s 22-album discography ends with one
last blazing guitar solo, as Lemmy bellows out “What’s my name?” The answer is
LEMMY, then, now, and forever.
Everything louder than everything else. Rest in peace Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister (1945 - 2015)
Top Three Tracks:
1.
Victory or Die
2.
Till the End
3.
Fire Storm Hotel
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