Bad Magic

40 years. That's how long Motorhead has been around and it's probably older than a lot of people listening to this epic album. In the past few weeks Lemmy has had to cancel and/or shorten some tour dates due to his poor health. Some people seem to be upset by this. I can understand that you spent "X" amount of money to see one of the greatest rock bands of all time, but Lemmy is almost SEVENTY YEARS OLD. You know what I see 70 year old people doing around here? Mowing their lawns in boxer shorts and white t-shirts and yelling at kids to get off their lawn. So shut up. Motorhead is Motorhead. Rock and Roll royalty. A non stop force of energy and electricity that you can't stop. This album displays that in full force. They are the measure of what other rock bands are compared to. So, how do you compare THEM? By listening. You are going to hear masterful drums from Mickkey Dee, screaming guitars from Phil Campbell, and the ever thumping bass and familiar voice of Lemmy Kilmister. Motorhead has never been accused of understating an issue. They play ROCK AND ROLL. Period. Not punk rock, not heavy metal, not alternative. If you listen to each of their 22 albums you will notice that. A progression of rock that gets louder, more intense, and more vocal with each offering. And this album, "Bad Magic", is the natural progression of that rock and roll base that got them this far. Simply put, it's phenomenal. Every song is orchestrated to make you smile in the realization that rock and roll is still alive and you want to listen to it. This is the result of a band that is in sync with not only each other, but rock in general. After having their last CD (yes, I'm old and still get the CD) in my car since it released, I was worried they couldn't top it. "Aftershock" was awesome after all. My worries were unfounded however. "Bad Magic" is better. Not by much, but by enough that I realize it. I will never discount the earlier works of one of the best bands in rock history, but I will always throw the horns when they out-do themselves. And they have here. The fact that MADONNA and the BEE-GEE's are in the so called "Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame" and MOTORHEAD is not will always be a sore place for me. But they will always be the standard for me.

As we all know, the hard rock/heavy metal world recently lost a true legend and icon in Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister as he passed away on December 28th after a short battle with an extremely aggressive form of cancer just four days after celebrating his 70th birthday, but at least he didn't go down without a single fight, as Lemmy and the rest of the Motorhead crew were able to crank out one last knockout punch of pure Motorhead magic with their 22nd full length album "Bad Magic" which was released back in August, just five months before Lemmy's unexpected passing. I've been a huge fan of Motorhead's music since I was 19 when I first got into both "Ace of Spades" and "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" back in 2002, and even though I never got a chance to see Motorhead live in concert, but their music really left a lasting impression on me, and they quickly became one of my favorite bands of all time. Anyways, "Bad Magic" is just 100% pure essential Motorhead, and in other words, it just plain kicks ass. This album like any other Motorhead album is a blast of pure attitude and sonic power throughout. When you hear that opening grab-you-right-by-the-throat scream from Lemmy of "VICTORY OR DIE" in the album's opening track "Victory or Die", there's certainly no question that this album will definitely have you hooked within an instant. Every song on this album is definitely a real winner. The production is just top notch throughout, and of course the band's musicianship doesn't disappoint whatsoever. Guitarist Phil Campbell is in fine form throughout this album as he displays his masterful guitar skills with awesome, mean sounding riffs and furious, ripping solos through one track to the next, meanwhile drummer Mikkey Dee sounds absolutely amazing as he flawlessly pummels his way relentlessly throughout with his awesome drumming through each track with ease, and of course Lemmy himself delivers with his always heavy, powerful, snarling vocals and awesome, heavy-as-a-bulldozer bass playing. There's certainly no question that Lemmy was the true driving force behind Motorhead and they'll definitely never be another one like him. The album's opening track "Victory or Die" immediately gets the ball rolling in blistering fashion with Lemmy's opening scream of "VICTORY OR DIE" and is quickly followed by a lethal abundance of heavy, blistering riffage, and loud, thundering drum beats throughout, meanwhile the following cut "Thunder & Lightning" (My favorite track on here) steps the album up a notch with a more faster tempo, heart pounding drums, and intense, furious riffing, plus a very memorable ripping and wailing guitar solo from Phil around the 1:35 mark is also featured, plus awesome vocals from Lemmy as well. Afterwards, we have track three "Fire Storm Hotel" which is a super catchy, groovy number that features a very catchy and groovy ZZ Top-like groove throughout with awesome riffs and catchy vocal melodies, while track four "Shoot Out All of Your Lights" brings back the intensity with a blistering drum intro, and is further highlighted by more furious, thundering double bass drumming from Mikkey, and mean blistering riffs plus a wicked, wailing, and screaming solo from Phil, as well as more amazing vocal delivery from Lemmy too. Next up, track five "The Devil" is another killer song that packs a nice punch throughout boasting heavy crunchy guitars and bass, and it also features an awesomely, wicked, blazing guest guitar solo courtesy of Queen guitarist Brian May, and moving on, the sixth track "Electricity" (another one of my favorites) is a short yet very fun and super catchy rock n' roll number that features awesome riffing, catchy vocals and lyrics, and a very catchy upbeat rhythm that you just can't resist headbanging and dancing to, and elsewhere, track seven "Evil Eye" is yet another favorite on here that boasts a fast, bouncy, pumping rhythm, along with more heart pumping riffage and awesome, memorable vocal deliveries. Moving forward, the eighth track "Teach Them How to Bleed" is another brilliant standout track that begins with a cool bass intro, and then thunders in with a relentless, fast-paced, onslaught with relentless, streamrolling riffs and heavy, thumping drums beats, and is also further accompanied by an excellent guitar solo from Phil, along with more of Lemmy's awesome vocals, and some intelligent lyrics to boot as well. Following that up is the sober, meaningful, and truly grand, slow-paced brilliantly written ballad "Till the End" and it is such an incredibly moving and meaningful song that definitely earns a place amongst Motorhead's classic songs. I really dig Lemmy's vocal melodies throughout, plus Phil's guitar solo from 2:26 to 3:29 is really top notch too. Track ten "Tell Me Who to Kill" is another top notch song that boasts another batch of awesome riffs, and super cool bass lines, plus another fantastic guitar solo from Phil, and excellent vocals from Lemmy to boot, meanwhile the following song "Choking on Your Screams" is a brilliantly delightful, and fearsome number that is very dark both lyrically and musically. This song is just filled with dark lyrics, and amazing musicianship throughout. I just love it. Then we have track twelve "When the Sky Comes Looking For You" which contains a very catchy and upbeat feeling throughout with delicious, rocking riffing and solid drum work, plus a fantastic chorus and another killer guitar solo are also featured in this song, and then finally, we have an immensely joyful, and satisfying cover of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For the Devil" which caps off this amazing album in perfect fashion. Well there you have it folks, all in all, "Bad Magic" is an all around amazing effort by Lemmy and Co., and a very nice and fitting end to an absolutely incredibly massive, and influential 40 year career, and yes even though Lemmy may be gone now, but there is certainly no question that his legacy and spirit will forever live on in our hearts. Buy this album now!!! 5 stars all the way!!! R.I.P. Lemmy!!! Farewell and God Speed!!!

With Motorhead, not much changes and Bad Magic is no exception. For 40 years Motorhead has stayed true to their songs, style, and attitude at this point morphing into more than just a band but a legend status. Now just because I'm a big Motorhead fan doesn't mean that I'm blinded by my love and respect for the band. I would admit when a song or album would suck but the reason why Motorhead is my favorite band is because over their 40 year career and 22 studio albums, I have yet to hear an album I didn't like. Bad Magic is one of their best albums. Filled with snarly vocals, catchy riffs, and the most attitude I've heard from a band in a long time. I think Lemmy's failing health has sparked something in him and the band to make a nasty, dark, and fast album that's just outstanding. From front to finish this is Motorhead and if you haven't been a fan this probably won't change your mind but it's not a bad place to start for new fans.

Motörhead are one of the bands that gets accused of issuing the same album over and over again. Others that come to mind are The Ramones and AC/DC — so Motörhead are in good company I think. Frontman Lemmy Kilmister has been plagued with health issues over the course of the years since the release of their last effort 2013’s Aftershock. Kilmister’s health essentially put the brakes on any proper tour of the United States behind the relatively good Aftershock. Kilmister took a brief hiatus from touring and by all accounts, he’s been on the mend though it’s been slower than Kilmister would have liked. The upside of this is that Motörhead had a bit more time to knock out some new material and get into the studio with their (now) long time producer Cameron Webb. Their 22nd effort is Bad Magic and it is Motörhead at their best. It’s a bombastic audio assault complete with the English wit of rock ‘n’ roll troubadour Kilmister. It’s hard to imagine a rock and metal scene without Lemmy Kilmister; he is to hard rock and metal music what Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings were to country music. Yet, the two aforementioned passed on and the genre moved forward — but not for the better. As Motörhead continue to add to their back catalog 40 years in; Bad Magic offers up their most consistent album since the now classic Inferno. The standout tracks on Bad Magic are; the new concert staple “Thunder & Lightning,” the gritty “Electricity,” the terrifying “Choking On Your Screams,” and the explosive cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” Lemmy had this to say to USA Today about the aforementioned track; “I thought we beat them. I thought we beat it to death. I mean, I like the Stones’ version, but I like ours better.” I can’t say that I can disagree with him.

Forty years on and still rockin' strong! This is Motorhead's 22nd studio album. And this year marks the band's 40th year. This is the reason, I guess, for the four XXXXs on the cover. The cover also looks like some kind of war medal, maybe it represents the Medal of Valor for Mean and Lean Rock'n'Roll. Anyway, this album is pretty similar to the last five studio albums, i.e., since Inferno, in that Cameron Webb produced this one and the last five. And the major players are the same, Lemmy, Phil, and Mikkey, as they have been for the last 20 years. In other words, the album does not disappoint. A major surprise is the last cut, Sympathy with the Devil, which I thought would be sub-par but Mikkey Dee does some incredible drumming that kicks this song up a notch. Phil's guitar work on this track is outstanding as well. The whole album is a pleasant surprise.

An amazing collection of new Motorhead material. Style wise, reminiscent of the Orgasmatron era, tight, hard songs with enough gusto and rebellion! Sympathy for the Devil was a nostalgic rock n' roll ride that leaves the Stones sinking in the mud. Tough, melodic and fun. The world is gonna be a strange place without Lemmy and the boys giving us new music every other year, but this is a nice swan song. Get it!!!!

Great album! Fast and heavy ! The last but not least, very innovative. I know some people might laugh off at the latter, but really: it's not like you'd expect Lemmy to start singing operas. Motorhead is Motorhead. The most innovative parts for me are the riffs (it's not easy to come up with new and engaging ones after 40 years, banging them out). It's also the bridges and transitions from one riff to another, from introduction to the chorus. Guys, this album has everything that you love about Motorhead. If you have never heard a whole album by the band, well, it's also a pretty good start.

I love how this CD comes like a little “book” including the lyrics and cute little drawings. Not to mention the music is amazing