Motorhead – “Bad Magic”
This month sees the return of some heavyweights of the heavy. Therefore, it must be metal week.
Lemmy Kilmister and crew are back with their 22nd Motorhead album and to celebrate their 40 years of headbanging glory, released “Bad Magic” this week.
Although the greatly admired front man Lemmy has had some major health issues of late, even cancelling some recent concerts, “Bad Magic” gives no indication he’s going anywhere.
There are no surprises here, but who cares. “Bad Magic” delivers what you expect and want. The punk metal sound we know and love is present throughout “Bad Magic”.
Starting with the opening little ditty “Victory or Die”, Lemmy seizes control of your head banging muscles, and you will more than happily submit.
“Thunder and Lightning” with its punk infused loveliness harkens back to their classic “Ace of Spades” days.
Throw in a swift little blast of guitar on “Electric”, and add lyrics like “Don’t tell me who I am, I don’t give a damn”, and that will blatantly sum up what Lemmy’s all about.
The album ends with a cover of the Stones’ classic “Sympathy For The Devil”, that to me, is far superior to the original.
All of the songs included on “Bad Magic” will no doubt be a delight to all Motorhead fans. Although most fans probably won’t admit to said’delight’. Long live Lemmy!
Motorhead is Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals, Phil Campbell - Guitars, backing vocals, and Mikkey Dee – drums.
--Doug Kerr
Slayer - “Repentless”
It’s been over six years since we’ve last heard new music from the thrash metal masters Slayer, and they are back in fine furious form with “Repentless”.
Following the 2013 death of their main guitar player and chief songwriter, Jeff Hanneman, their future was unclear. Now with the addition of guitar player Gary Holt, and new drummer Paul Bostaph, the veil has been lifted.
With the unrelenting riffs of long time guitarist Kerry King, and Tom Araya’s crunching vocals, this new album is sure to succeed.
Between the furious opening tune “Repentless”, and the final track “Pride and Prejudice”, is the meat of a metal sandwich that will suppress even the heaviest of hungers.
It’s all here. “Vices” a heavy little nugget, and “Implode” showing off Bostaph’s beat pounding prowess, kicks ups the sonic assault.
“Piano Wire” an album highlight, with its steady rush of infused adrenaline, is a brilliant re-recorded leftover from the Hanneman era.
With the violent intense lyrics contained in “Atrocity Vendor”, Slayer is saying they are back with a vengeance. And that is fine with me.
“Repentless” will surely please most Slayer fans and it’s great to have them back.
The 2015 version of Slayer consists of Tom Araya- Bass, vocals, Kerry King- Guitar, Gary Holt- Guitar, and Paul Bostaph – Drums.
--Doug Kerr
