Here at Punktastic, we pride ourselves on championing new music, and trying to bring our readers the most current artists first. However, we do recognise the past and that without certain bands or albums we would not be here today, and would not have such a fantastic scene to be a part of. One such band that is always deserving of our attention, and that paved the way for many heavy bands on both sides of the Atlantic is our very own Motorhead, and with their back catalogue being given a 180gram vinyl pressing, it seems only right that we pay homage to Lemmy and the boys by reviewing the first three of these reissues.
Back in the early 70âs, Lemmy Kilmister was playing in the seminal space rock band Hawkwind, and his trademark bass playing can be heard on their classic 1973 live album âSpace Ritualâ. However by 1975, Lemmy had decided to leave, with sole intention of creating a heavy band and simply calling it Bastard. He did so, and this would sow the seeds for what would become Motorhead. They released their self-titled debut album in 1977, which was warmly received, but it was the calm before the storm so to speak, as it would the second album âOverkillâ, released in the early part of 1979 which would see them hit their stride, and is the first of the vinyl reissues.
Kicking off with the albums title track, âOverkillâ was massively ahead of its time. A raw fusion of punk and metal, and from the start this 180gram heavyweight vinyl version really brings the album to life. That classic Lemmy bass rumble still sounds heavier than most guitar players could ever dream of on â(I Wonât) Pay Your Price)â, carried by the frantic drumming of the legendary Phil âPhilthy Animalâ Taylor, which shows they really were one of the hardest rhythm sections in heavy music.
Of course there is the classic âNo Classâ, which would become a staple of Motorheads incendiary live performances, and a long time fan favourite thanks to the âboogie-rockâ riffing of iconic guitarist âFastâ Eddie Clarke (which still sounds like ZZ Top after 10 bottles of whiskey). One of the unsung classics on âOverkillâ is âDamage Caseâ, which was co-written between the band and legendary figurehead of the 70âs punk scene Mick Farren. The legacy of âOverkillâ has carried on for 35 years now, and bands from Metallica, to Megadeth, to Kingdom of Sorrow have all performed cover versions of some of the tracks from it, and it still sounds important now.
Never ones to rest on their laurels for too long, Motorhead released âBomberâ at the end of 1979, and it picked right up where âOverkillâ left off. Listening back to it now, you can hear the progression in Lemmyâs vocals as they become even more gravelly. âDead Men Tell No Talesâ and âStone Dead Foreverâ are vintage heavy metal, and essentially lay down a blueprint that many bands would begin to use in the years that follow.
No Motorhead album would be complete with out a homage to the blues, which comes in the form of âStep Downâ, but aside from that âBomberâ is really where the classic characteristics of the vintage line-up of Motorhead were formed. The unsubtle murder ballad âPoisonâ is still blistering and the albumâs title track remains one of the heaviest moments in the trioâs back catalogue. In fact there are parts of âBomberâ that sounds heavier than they ever did on this new vinyl pressing, and with no digital retouching remain warm sounding yet absolutely devastating.
If âOverkillâ and âBomberâ cemented Motorheadâs place in the world of rock and metal, then it was their 1980 album âAce Of Spadesâ the proved them to be one of the heaviest bands in the world. Often cited as one of the greatest heavy metal albums by any metal band ever, that tag is still completely justified today and as with the previous albums, the sound of the vinyl pressing is fantastic.
Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 30 or so years, and have been involved in punk, rock, or metal in any way then like many others you will no doubt have heard the albums title track countless times. Even if you arenât a fan of the band, how many times in bars or clubs have you shouted along to âI donât need your greed, the only card I need is the Ace of Spadesâ? It still sends shivers down your spine when you hear it, and remains one of THE most iconic heavy rock songs of all time.
It doesnât start and end with the title track though, as âAce of Spadesâ is probably the quintessential Motorhead album. The production is somewhat legendary on âAce of Spadesâ, and of course the speed and volume of which Motorhead play on the album show it was pivotal in the development of thrash metal. âShoot You In The Backâ, âFast and Looseâ, and âFire Fireâ still sound visceral, and at times are simply crushing. With an average track length of 3-mintutes a piece, it remains the most furious album in Motorhead’s back catalogue, and is still as iconic as its legacy says it is.
Most fans of the metal or punk will be familiar with these albums, but the vinyl reissues provide a perfect chance to revisit them, and approach them with a fresh ear. Still crucially the DNA of heavy music, Motorhead remain relevant after all these years, and these landmark releases by the classic line-up are worthy of a place in the record collections of both long time fans, and those who are just discovering their legacy.
GLEN BUSHELL