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Music, Reviews

“Iron Fist” – Deluxe Edition (remaster) by Motorhead

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Artist: Motorhead
Title: “Iron Fist” – Deluxe Edition (remaster)
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 2/10/2009
Genre: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Rating: 4/5

In celebration of the bands 30th anniversary back in 2005, Sanctuary Records released remastered and expanded editions of many of the Motorhead classic albums. The double disc editions would feature the original album along with a second disc that was loaded with live tracks, rarities and outtakes that made them must haves for the discriminating fans music library. Full color booklets came par for the course with the remasters and they featured photos and topical information about the band during the time of the albums initial release that was really interesting historical reading. We reviewed a number of these albums when they first came out and since the musical content was the same we have re-presented our original comments about them below.

“Iron Fist” is quite literally the second part of “Ace Of Spades” when it comes down to it and despite the band hating that association it is kind of hard to follow up an album that caused as much of an impact on their career as the 1980 release had done. In 1982 when “Iron First” was released we found the band following a lot of the same formula that was used on the blockbuster release especially in the title track itself so one cannot fault the music buying public of the day thinking this a very close brother to that album. Songs like “Speedfreak” and “Shut It Down” were typical Motorhead rockers and since this was not too much the experimental time for the band there is a lot of similarity on many of the albums tracks in the terms of riffs and drum patterns. Lemmy is Lemmy, of course and I don’t think this will ever change in sound so one counts on the guitar riffs and drum displays to offer the level of difference to make the tunes more unique to the listener. Song wise this is not one of my favorite Motorhead albums outside of the main track itself, but it is not a terrible album at all. The choice other memorable moments can be found in the release if you are willing to let them catch you and Clarke did a solid job of production on this one. The remaster comes with a bonus CD of a live concert, the best way to enjoy Motorhead as you all know and despite the bands growing success “Fast” Eddie Clarke would leave the lineup to pursue other interests in his life after this was released and toured. He would be missed and start a rotation of members that would eventually find Lemmy as the sole remaining original player.
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Music, Reviews

“Ace Of Spades” Deluxe Edition (remaster) by Motorhead

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Artist: Motorhead
Title: “Ace Of Spades” Deluxe Edition (remaster)
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 2/10/2009
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 4/5

In celebration of the bands 30th anniversary back in 2005, Sanctuary Records released remastered and expanded editions of many of the Motorhead classic albums. The double disc editions would feature the original album along with a second disc that was loaded with live tracks, rarities and outtakes that made them must haves for the discriminating fans music library. Full color booklets came par for the course with the remasters and they featured photos and topical information about the band during the time of the albums initial release that was really interesting historical reading. We reviewed a number of these albums when they first came out and since the musical content was the same we have re-presented our original comments about them below.

“Ace Of Spades” is probably the favorite Motorhead album of many people. From the title opening track all the way down to “The Hammer” this is a non-stop fist to the stomach example of Hard Rock and Roll. Look back on some of your favorite performers’ old interviews and you will see this album referenced as a masterpiece. Solid and direct, never over-complicating the music or the message, Lemmy, Philthy and Fast Eddie gave people what they wanted – a good time. The band was always fiercely loyal to those that helped them put the whole thing on the road and gave them “We Are The Road Crew”. For those that think Lemmy is not romantic, there is “Jailbait” and “The Chase Is Better Than The Catch”. The production of the remaster of AOS is tremendous, and similar to Motorhead in concert, the record must be played at volumes that will make your neighbors knock on your door. Don’t worry; you will not hear them for a second. The CD of bonuses is interesting as it is mostly a collection of alternate versions of the album tracks. This is great stuff to include, for you can compare it against the original release. You decide whether the correct version became the final and discuss it online with other Motorhead fans. Personally, the tracks on the bonus that I enjoyed most are the live BBC Radio 1 Sessions. For those unaware, the bands used to perform live in the studio and this went out over the UK Airwaves. Sadly, we don’t have a lot of that today, especially in the USA. The original album was released in 1980 and sounds fresh to this very day. This is also my favorite Motorhead album as it was my introduction to them as well. This CD made me look for that musty old vinyl and see if it still plays; too bad I no longer have a record player. You cannot consider yourself a Metal head or fan of Heavy Rock and not recognize the impact that Motorhead has on the genre and still holds to this very day. Ace Of Spades is the one re-issue that you should consider first if you are thinking of buying any of them. Give your old copy to a younger generation Rocker who can learn from it. Just make sure it’s a CD; they will not know what vinyl is, I am guessing.
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Music, Reviews

“Bomber” – Deluxe Edition (remaster) by Motorhead

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Artist: Motorhead
Title: “Bomber” – Deluxe Edition (remaster)
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 2/10/2009
Genre: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Rating: 4/5

In celebration of the bands 30th anniversary back in 2005, Sanctuary Records released remastered and expanded editions of many of the Motorhead classic albums. The double disc editions would feature the original album along with a second disc that was loaded with live tracks, rarities and outtakes that made them must haves for the discriminating fans music library. Full color booklets came par for the course with the remasters and they featured photos and topical information about the band during the time of the albums initial release that was really interesting historical reading. We reviewed a number of these albums when they first came out and since the musical content was the same we have re-presented our original comments about them below.

“Bomber”, released in 1979 would be an album that would line out more of the groundwork for what we could come to expect from this band fronted by Lemmy Kilminster who along with “Fast” Eddie Clarke and Philthy “Animal” Taylor. This was not a Metal band but scores of them would form under their influence and cite them as the true loudest band in the world. Some memorable tracks come from this release such as “Dead Men Tell No Tales” and of course the title track “Bomber”. Those that know the bands history would be aware of the fact that the band used to travel with a giant Bomber as their stage prop and lighting rig. Some great photos of this imposing stage decoration are in the booklet as well. This album is known also for featuring the first and only song sung by Clarke, which falls to “Step Down”. Overall this is a solid effort, but not as good as the predecessor “Overkill” nor would it hold as much impact on the future of Motorhead as “Ace Of Spades” would when it was released. The remaster of this release includes a second CD of B-sides which many of which were available before. Despite that reservation, these are incredible releases and should be a part of anyone’s collection.
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Music, Reviews

“Hell” by Venom

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Artist: Venom
Title: “Hell”
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 8/12/2008
Genre: Thrash Metal
Rating: 2.5/5

Despite the claims, I am and always have been one of those Metal fans who never felt that Venom was a Black Metal band as an outfit even though they might have coined the phrase and chose to run with it. Now while I might find their fan base screaming for my head in this “blasphemy” let’s be honest here and look back at how their older material always had more of a Thrash Metal meets gritty Hardcore Punk vibe to it. When you compare this stuff to the likes of bands such as Mayhem, Emperor and those who really walked the dark paths in the name of Metal after their inception then you shall probably agree with me. Still, they managed to remain an influential unit who would inspire the likes of Testament, Slayer and even Metallica based on the material that they were delivering and that is a good thing considering the incredible output these bands delivered during their own careers. Venom returns to us with their latest studio recording entitled simply as “Hell” and this is a follow up to 2006’s “Metal Black”. Since I had rather enjoyed that album I was interested in seeing how the band would do with its successor and therein lies the issue since even after a couple of listens I was not finding myself all that pleased with what I was hearing. It starts off strong with “Straight To Hell” and once again the band continues a solid thrashing as they inform the listener where they are destined to end up. The title track is also rather strong and has an impressive groove to it but when it comes to tracks like “Fall From Grace” I feel that they lose some of the momentum based on how it runs as a tune. To me this seemed more contrived as Cronos yells his main lyric while the drums of Antton slam behind him. What’s weird about it is how it swaps from one format of tune to another and it was not what I expected from Venom. It didn’t end there in the confusion as “Stab U In The Back” and “Kill The Music” sounded like something that was more suitable for Motorhead to be doing. The band redeems for a short time with “Blood Sky” and “Evilution Devilution” but then they deliver the Thrashing Punk themed “USA for Satan” which is downright stupid. Venom now has Rage on guitar who has replaced the talents of Mykvs who left sometime in 2007.
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Music, Reviews

“Secret Society” by Europe

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Artist: Europe
Title: “Secret Society”
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 11/7/2006
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 3/5

Europe resurfaced to the Hard Rock community with “Start From The Dark”, a rallying call of music that showed that the band had not suffered over time but instead improved like some fine wine. The release gave a number of killer tunes such as the title track and “Hero” most specifically. Touring for this album broke venue records and this was not bad for a band that had not performed together in well over a decade. Their new release “Secret Society” continues along with a lot of the same formula that was used on “SFTD” but I admit that it takes a few listens to appreciate it. Joey Tempest still rocks and truly knows how to win the listener over with his smooth voice and should he need to belt them out he does not have any problems. Tempest actually wrote most of the album this time around and while this is a solid disc, there is hardly any of the punch that we felt on “SFTD”. I also felt that the album was lacking in the providing some kind of anthem along the lines of “The Final Countdown” which made this band a household name back in the glory days. There is some killer guitar riffing by John Norum as one would expect and on the whole, this is not a bad album. There are several rockers present with “Love Is Not The Enemy” and “Always The Pretenders” (the first single from the release) and I think overall that it will continue to please their existing fan base. The ballad for the album falls in “A Mother’s Son” and that serves it’s purpose fine and should have lighters or cell phones raised during performances going forward. Personally, I loved “The Getaway Plan” because that seemed to mix classic old school vibe with some of today’s freshness.
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