Motorhead – “March or Die”
Having re-visited their immense back-catalogue, Motorhead “March or Die” has just finished blasting out my stereo. This of course, isn’t a new release from Motorhead although they do have yet another live album on the way (entitled “Louder than noise… Live in Berlin”).
While my passion for the band dates back to my early teens, I made a recent decision to start giving every album a decent run through. The reason being, albeit in a very nerdy way, I thought it would be nice to start listening to them all in chronological order. All the while each and every last decibel ringing in my ears like the tinnitus I’ve no doubt suffered at Lemmy’s expense.
Even since the untimely death of Lemmy Kilminster (RIP), I’ve continued to uncover hidden gems from their back-catalogue. Whether that be guest appearances by the man himself elsewhere or the occasional album that I’ve become reacquainted with.
Motorhead – “March or Die” Album Review
That’s where this random review of Motorhead “March or Die” comes into play. Despite being a full-time Motoheadbanger, this release from 1992 wouldn’t necessarily be my go-to album by choice.
Now almost 30 years later, a further rendition of the bluesy “You Better Run” is set to be included on the upcoming new Motorhead live album. The original having featured none other than Slash from Guns n Roses.
In fact, Slash was one of many guests on “March or Die”. Which in part results in a somewhat sketchy album by Motorhead standards. I don’t mean that in terms of quality, in fact far from it, although the album did receive mixed reviews at the time. It’s just as a complete body of work, it doesn’t necessarily flow from one song to the next.
The sessions saw Filthy Phil Taylor (RIP) forced to leave the band, for the most part temporarily replaced by drummer Tommy Aldridge. Although future skinsmith Mikkey Dee would also take a moment behind the kit on “Hellraiser”.
Motorhead and Ozzy Osbourne
Other notable names to make an appearance would be that of Ozzy Osbourne on the beautiful “I ain’t no nice guy after all”. This being one of several songs whereby Lemmy had contributed lyrics to Ozzy’s “No More Tears” album.
I remember the track being played endlessly on MTV (alongside the video for “Hellraiser” from the same release), plus there’s a beautiful version featured on the “Boneshaker” live DVD. Although it’s also a clear reminder there’s many a good ballad in the Motorhead cannon.
“March or Die” also has a rendition of Ted Nugent’s “Cat Scratch Fever”. In which the guys sound familiar to some of the very early Motorhead days. Furthermore, it’s worth noting this is one of the few albums by Motorhead as a 4-piece.
Add into the mix special guests, keyboards from producer Peter Solley, cello and even credits to a 3rd guitarist in Jamie Germaine, things become somewhat over-crowded.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lSFzJlOyLY
Motorhead – “Asylum Choir”
Although taking each track on its individual merit, the album still stands up against the best of them. With the exception maybe of the mid-tempo “Asylum Choir“, there’s a variety of delights on offer.
The opening song “Stand” and “Bad Religion” are classic sounding Motorhead, even with the production team sneaking a rare spoken word sample into the latter. Then there’s “Jack the Ripper” and another sign of Lemmy’s well-informed writing credentials.
As for the album closer and title track “March or Die”, take away Lemmy’s vocals and you’re left with a weird experimentation. Not a song as such, more of a 5-minute soundscape, with creepy noises and sustained notes and feedback.
So, with a new Motorhead live album “Louder than noise… Live in Berlin” out soon, that concludes my random review of 1992’s “March or Die”. Damn, how I miss new Motorhead material… but alas, at least we still have Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – but that’s another story.
