When this album first arrived (there’s a DVD too apparently, but they’ve never been my thing) my first reaction – to be honest – was “why?” That is to say, “why has a nine year old show been released now?”
One listen to “I Know How To Die” though – and forget why. Just savour the fact that Motorhead, for a glorious one hour and 10 minutes are blasting through your speakers.
From the second Lemmy says: “Philip, if you’d be so kind” and Mr. Campbell pulls that riff out, its like some glorious celebration and being transported back in time.
Every year, every November, me and my younger brother used to go to Wolverhampton Civic Hall to watch one of the greatest three rock n roll bands ever (Thin Lizzy and AC/DC being the others) give a masterclass.
The thing about Lem and the lads compared to the other two was that they were still making brilliant records and they were still there, right in front of you. And they were never scared. Never. I am certain that this tour saw Anthrax supporting them in Wolves (as they were in Germany). Who ever brings that level of opener with them? I’ll still contend that the bill they had in about 2010 with Saxon and Michael Monroe is the best ever, by the way.
“Damage Case”, “Stay Clean”, “Metropolis” it kind of doesn’t matter, to be fair, they come and go in a blur. And listening to it, you can’t be prepared for the sheer scale of the noise that bombarded you. I remember seeing them for the first time. Mates had said: “they are the loudest band in the world” and that first chord. Jesus Christ!
“Over The Top” – dedicated to Phil Campbell – and “Doctor Rock” can’t be bettered, and never will be, and they are all here, all of them.
One thing you can’t overlook is the musicianship here. “One To Sing The Blues” might begin with the charming shout of “yer sister” but listen to Mickkey Dee’s drum solo. Lemmy always introduced him as the greatest drummer in the world – he might just be. Campbell’s guitar playing was beyond incredible (and still is) and what of the man himself? Look we all know Lemmy, (and its striking that I always refer to him by his first name, like I really know him, like he’s a mate!) and there’ll never be another.
“Going To Brazil” remains a personal favourite of mine. A turbo charged, filthy boogie that I’ve always imagined being the soundtrack to the parties I would be too scared to go to, but Lemmy probably hosted every day.
“Killed By Death” is the best rock n roll song ever made – I’ll except no argument that it is the second greatest song of all time behind “Paradise City” – and there’s “Ace Of Spades.”
Now, here’s a thing. I was watching the old Western “Who Shot Liberty Vallence” with my dad the other night and he made a reference to a “Dead Man’s Hand” in the scene where Lee Marvin is playing cards. You think I didn’t launch into that verse?
Ending with “Bomber” and its stop start closing brings back memories of me and my brother being caught out every sodding year by the same thing but always having the best time, even if you couldn’t hear for about three days after.
We’ll never see the likes of them again. The best, no arguments at what they did. “Louder Than Noise”? Yeah, but what a noise it was. Thanks for the memories, lads. They mean more than you’ll ever know.
Rating 10/10
