There are only a handful of bands that can lay claim to having released twenty one studio albums, let alone have a fairly consistent output, but alas with “Aftershock” Motorhead have done just that – so turn your stereo up and rock out as Motorhead are most definitely still making their mark.
Having had the same line-up since 1996’s “Overnight Sensation” and with Phil Campbell celebrating 30 years in the band, along with drummer Mickey Dee also having clocked up an impressive 21 years of drumming for Phil and Lemmy it’s no wonder that the writing process comes so naturally, and with this being Cameron Webb’s 5th Motorhead album in a row he certainly helps bring the best out of the band from behind the production desk.
The album kicks off with “Heartbreaker” and “Coup De Grace” and as always there’s an almost instant familiarity with the opening tracks, as Motorhead have the general philosophy of if it ain’t broke why fix it, but this is far from a bad thing when they constantly sound this good.
I often think it’s a credit to the quality of the band when they can stick to the same formula for almost forty years and still come out with tunes that make you think how come they hadn’t already written that one?
So although the first two tracks are fast and heavy it’s far from just being another Motorhead album as Phil Campbell slows it down with “Lost Woman Blues”, a fantastic tune that seems to have been inspired by the guitar solo he’s been playing on tour in recent years whilst his band mates leave the stage for a cheeky JD and coke.
Surprisingly there’s another slower song halfway through the album in “Dust and Glass”, and although Lemmy’s voice is on top form as he sings the ballad with much emotion it’s probably the albums only mediocre point – much though I love when there’s a curveball thrown into the Motorhead mix, it doesn’t quite hit the mark as much as other slow numbers in their back catalogue (I’m thinking the likes of “I Ain’t No Nice Guy Anymore” or the heart felt “Don’t Let Daddy Kiss Me”) but that said luckily the album doesn’t stop there.
If you’re thinking Motorhead have stepped down a gear with two slower songs then think again, as if you haven’t been won over by the first half of the album then it’s classic Motorhead all the way to the end starting with “Going to Mexico” – a powerful track with Micky Dee’s drumming standing out, followed by “Silence When You Speak to Me” (another that could easily have been at home on any previous album in a similar vein to “Love me Like a Reptile” and such like).
If I had to pick one stand out tune though it would have to be “Crying Shame”, which has that perfect classic Motorhead sound combining one guitar, bass and drums yet sounding fresh and exciting with the addition of some great rock n roll piano.
Then again we also have “Queen of the Damned” and “Keep Your Powder Dry” both being up there as possible contenders for being given the live treatment, which sums up “Aftershock” as all in all this is a well-rounded release which doesn’t disappoint and is likely to stand the test of time… until they do it all again with the next album if producer Cameron Webb has anything to do with it.
So with the European leg of the Aftershock tour being put on hold due to health reasons all that’s left to say is get well soon Lemmy, the world needs you.
