Motörhead: Aftershock

Three things are a certainty in life; Death, Taxes and a new Motörhead album & tour every eighteen months or so. Much speculation has circulated in the press as of late as to whether this will indeed be their swansong. Lemmy's recent health issues are well documented but it does seem the old bugger is finally listening to his body, having given up smoking and his daily bottle of JD & coke, preferring to quaff wine instead. That is the extent to his lifestyle changes though; the live fast constant work, road warrior ethic is still embedded into the almost 70 year olds mind.

Aftershock is Motörhead's 21st studio album, an achievement many bands will sadly not amount to. As expected the formula hasn't changed much in all those releases which is why Motörhead fans are the most loyal, dedicated group of people you'd ever meet. However Aftershock does hold a few surprises within its fourteen track onslaught, pleasant surprises at that. Produced by Cameron Webb, responsible for the knob twiddling on the previous four albums, it seems Lemmy is obviously happy with the results he produces, capturing his vision for the albums feel & sound perfectly. "Heartbreaker" and "Coup De Grace" is Motörhead through & through, fast paced, dirty rock 'n roll but it's the bluesy meanderings of "Lost Woman Blues" & "Dust and Glass" that really show them in a more thought provoking, reflecting light. The slightly borrowed Alice in Chains "Man in the Box" riff to "Silence When You Speak To Me" is slightly tongue- in –cheek though but satisfying all the same. As you'd expect when your band is a three piece there is nowhere to hide, each member is meticulous in the execution of their chosen instrument. Phil Campbell, the self-proclaimed 'Welsh Wanker ' has to be one of Rock & Metals truly underrated guitar players, his playing contains so much feel and no-one like him can kick out a heart stopping solo. The earth shattering rhythm of Lemmy's bowel moving, dirty bass rumbles throughout the album with a sloppy precision complemented by Mikkey Dee's thunderous drumming. Culminating together are the same ingredients to a different dish, a hearty rib sticking dish of Rock 'n Roll Motörhead style.

Aftershock is not changing the way Motörhead do things, after all who would want to tell Lemmy to write lighters in the air erection section ballads? It is what it is, they are Motörhead and they play Rock 'N Fuckin' Roll,

Track listing:-
1. "Heartbreaker" 3:05
2. "Coup De Grace" 3:45
3. "Lost Woman Blues" 4:09
4. "End Of Time" 3:17
5. "Do You Believe" 2:59
6. "Death Machine" 2:37
7. "Dust And Glass" 2:51
8. "Going To Mexico" 2:51
9. "Silence When You Speak To Me" 4:30
10. "Crying Shame" 4:28
11. "Queen Of The Damned" 2:41
12. "Knife" 2:57
13. "Keep Your Powder Dry" 3:54
14. "Paralyzed" 2:50

Added: October 31st 2013
Reviewer: Mark Davies
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2585
Language: english

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