Band:	Motörhead
Album:	Bad Magic
Style:	Heavy metal
Release date:	August 28, 2015
A review by:	D.T. Metal

Disc I
01. Victory Or Die
02. Thunder And Lightning
03. Fire Storm Hotel
04. Shoot Out All Of Your Lights
05. The Devil
06. Electricity
07. Evil Eye
08. Teach Them How To Bleed
09. Till The End
10. Tell Me Who To Kill
11. Choking On Your Screams
12. When The Sky Comes Looking For You
13. Sympathy For The Devil [The Rolling Stones cover]
14. Heroes [David Bowie cover] [Seriously Bad Magic re-release bonus]
15. Bullet In Your Brain [Seriously Bad Magic re-release bonus]
16. Greedy Bastards [Seriously Bad Magic re-release bonus]

Disc II [Seriously Bad Magic re-release]
01. We Are Motörhead [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
02. Damage Case [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
03. Stay Clean [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
04. Metropolis [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
05. Over The Top [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
06. String Theory [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
07. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
08. Rock It [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
09. Lost Woman Blues [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
10. Doctor Rock [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
11. Just 'Cos You Got The Power [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
12. Going To Brazil [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
13. Ace Of Spades [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]
14. Overkill [Live at Mt Fuji Festival 2015]

Motörhead - no introduction needed. The band has been around longer than most people who will read this review have been alive. And with Bad Magic, the 22nd Long Player in their massive discography, they once again proved why they have been around for that long.


This staple announcement during live shows nails what the new album is all about; fast and fun music played with an attitude. And while the notion: 'once you heard one Motörhead album you've heard them all' might be somewhat true, it does not deter from the fact that Bad Magic is a very strong effort and maybe even a return to their heyday sound from years long gone.

Honestly, over the last 40 ? yes, the last 40 years, Lemmy & Co. really never put out a "bad" album and the band never strayed much from their bad-ass biker, in your face heavy, sometimes groovy, crunchy, punk infused Rock 'n Roll formula. Maybe it was due to Lemmy's health scare, but with Bad Magic it feels like the band got their second (or third or even fourth) wind and gave all they got. The opener "Victory Or Die" is a prime example with verses straight from the 80's and the chorus & solo with a nice touch of atmosphere. The title might possibly be a subtle hint on the members' mental state during writing. No worries guys, after a lifetime of making music, Bad Magic will go into the 'victory' category.

Kilmister/Campbell/Dee; this dynamic trio just does not (or will not) slow down and despite their age, they still play as vibrant as ever. While, at this point in their career, it is rather pointless to elaborate on their musical talents, I will jot down a couple points nevertheless.

Phil Campbell shines with some pretty impressive riffs not only on ""Thunder And Lightning", "Shoot Out All Of Your Lights" and "Electricity" but really lays down the law on "Teach Them How To Bleed". I am almost inclined to say that his shredding on Bad Magic is the best in years. But then again, Motörhead is not known for their intricate and technical guitar techniques. Less is sometimes more, and Phil proves this concept with ease.

Mikkey Dee, the newest member - new, as in he has only been in the band for the last 23 years, also follows the 'less is more' formula with no needless drumming around, no filler hits, just straight up skin beating to enhance the sound behind this well-oiled machine. And while Lemmy's vocals are clearly the identifier on any Motörhead album, one should not dismiss his, very audible, bass thumps on Bad Magic.

The man says it best with: "Life on the road isn't easy my friend, you can't remember, you can't pretend.", and luckily for us, he grabbed life by the balls and together with the rest of the crew, delivered one heck of an album.

Yes, the signature raspy Lemmy sound is still present, though a bit more slurred at times. Not that Mr. Kilmister ever sounded squeaky clean in the vocal department; I really noticed the slur on the slower paced "Fire Storm Hotel". But then again, he is going through some serious health stuff and for an almost 70-year-old dude, I think he is doing just fine. Kudos for throwing a gnarly curveball and bringing back memories to 1986's "Orgasmatron" on "Choking On Your Screams".

While I am not a big fan of ballads on a high octane album, "Till The End" has to be one of the best I heard in a while and does fit the vibe on Bad Magic. It's not too cheesy with just the right amount of heaviness. Quite frankly, the entire band is shining on this one; a bluesy rock 'n roll piece with a great solo. I dig! And I also dig Motörhead's cover of The Rolling Stones "Sympathy For The Devil". Lemmy's voice gives the song that extra little flair.

But, whoever decided on ending Bad Magic, sans the aforementioned cover, with "When The Sky Comes Looking For You" deserves a heap of credit. Overall it is quite atmospheric, and a perfect ending to a great album.

It's hard to pinpoint my personal favorites on this album; in my opinion there really is no filler track at all; well maybe "Evil Eye" is not as strong, but this is more personal preference I guess. Equally hard, is to rate this album. Motörhead is ? well, Motörhead; you know what to expect and surprises are far and in-between. This is by no means a negative in my eyes and proves that reinventing the wheel is not needed to produce a quality product.

"Don't tell me who I am, I don't give a damn" is not only a lyrical passage on "Electricity", it describes the attitude of the entire album. Ladies and gents, may I present Motörhead anno 2015.