Motorhead

This is Motörhead’s 30th anniversary tour – and with a history stretching back that long you expect something pretty spectacular – I mean, they must have something special to have kept them going for so long.

The band had two bands supporting them, the first being Girlschool who Motörhead had an album with in 1981. As the name suggests Girlschool is an all female band – but they know how to rock. Their music isn’t particularly heavy, but they are definitely an inspiration to any aspiring rock chick – they have collaborated with Motörhead!

The second band was a Swedish thrash metal band by the name of In Flames. If this is your kind of music then it’s worth giving them a listen. Not all of their songs are brilliant but there were definitely a few that stood out, and all of them had an energy, which the band reflected in their lively performance.

Then for the big boys.

Motörhead have a reputation for being one of the loudest heavy metal bands – and boy did they live up to it! They started the show with favourites such as ‘overkill’, each song with such pace and energy you cant help but become part of the ecstasy shared by the band and the crowd.

They played 3 tracks from their new album – and I have to say it’s been proved – after 30 years, Motörhead still have what it takes to write amazing heavy metal tracks – and make them sound original.

I can honestly say that my jaw dropped (and I wasn’t the only one) when Mikkey plyed a 10 minute drum solo. I’ve always been amazed by people who played the drums – never having much of a knack for it myself (though I haven’t exactly tried that hard), to be blunt – I never thought loud banging sounds played in an order would be able to captivate people so much – but captivated we all were – and for no reason but the sheer brilliance of this guy’s drumming (though I’ve been informed that there are better drummers out there – something I don’t doubt).

I have to say though the highlight of my evening had to be what happened next. It was something so unexpected, something so different compared to what you would imagine Motörhead to be doing. Lemmy and Phil put their guitars down and Mikkey moved from behind his drums. Phil and Mikkey proceeded to picking up an acoustic guitar each whilst Lemmy grabbed a mouth organ – and they did a blues number. If you had told me before hand that they were going to do that, I would have said that there was more chance of Nottingham Forest winning the Premiership - looks like there’s still a small ray of hope for them then!

After that they went off stage – no Ace of Spades!!! The hope and the willing for them to come back on stage was excruciating – it’s illegal to see Motörhead live and not to witness Ace of Spades – you would never live it down! After about half an hour of waiting (they were held up by a fire alarm – which the crowd were not informed of – nice safety standards there…) they finally appeared back on stage – much to the joy of the crowd.

And then it began.

Nothing can prepare you for the bliss of hearing such a classic rock anthem being played live and loud. It was over in what seemed like a second, (I swear it was a shortened version!) But what a sound to behold – and one I certainly wont be forgetting.

They wrapped up the show with a couple more songs including the much loved ‘Killed by Death’ for the finale.

What an amazing night. Anyone who missed out – I feel very sorry for you – this gig should have been made law to see it for anyone who appreciates good rock music.

By Pudi