Motorhead
Motorizer
SPV Steamhammer



Motorhead have struck a rich vein of form in the new millennium with recent albums 'Hammered', 'Inferno' and 'Kiss Of Death'. With the band now into their fourth decade and main man Lemmy well into his sixties, the question is whether 'Motorizer' can sustain this impressive and consistent run.

The short answer is a resounding 'yes'. Lemmy and longtime cohorts Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee have delivered yet another fierce, ferocious barrage of pure, unadulterated rock'n'roll. While the old adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" certainly applies, Motorhead are not just going through the motions and sound as fresh, invigorated and downright nasty as ever.

Opener Runaround Man is a clear statement of intent. A bruising and boisterous track in the mould of Sucker from 'Kiss Of Death', it paves the way for some familiar Motorhead staples. There are usual lewd tales of nasty women in English Rose and Back On The Chain, while the theme of war is revisited on When The Eagle Screams and Heroes. One Short Life and Teach You How To Sing The Blues are further reminders of what Lemmy has long maintained, namely that Motorhead are fundamentally a blues band, albeit a blues band of the very loud, vicious, distorted and mind-numbingly heavy variety.

Producer Cameron Webb again succeeds in bringing the raw power of the band's live performances to the studio, something not always evident on past albums. Lemmy is in particularly fine growl and Mikkey Dee pounds the life out of his kit as usual, but it is Campbell who is the ace (of spades) in the deck. From thunderous riffage and razor sharp solos to bluesy refrains, he is the glue that holds it all together.

An average Motorhead album is a good album by just about anyone else's standards. 'Motorizer' is a very good Motorhead album and hence is one of the best rock albums of the year so far.

James McKenzie