Search - Motorhead :: Kiss of Death

Another gem!

Alex Nennig | New London, WI | 04/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Considering the blokes from Motorhead have released more albums than I have fingers and toes, I'm constantly blown away by how good they usually are.



For a band that hasn't really ever changed their sound, Motorhead has been unbelieveably consistant in delivering good albums that don't just sound like they're ripping themselves off constantly.



"Kiss Of Death" is another surprisingly strong entry, especially so since Lemmy Kilmister is a staggering SIXTY years old at the release of this album!



But aside from the amazing fact that a man six decades old is still managing to rock just as hard as he ever did, there isn't a truly bad song on here, and most of them are darn awesome!



In fact, this album is also pretty diverse, considering its all pure Motorhead. It still sounds like the band I know and love, but there are several interesting bits on the album. Lets discuss:



"Sucker" and "Going Down" are classic fast rockin' Motorhead, think "Ace Of Spades" or "On Your Feet Or On Your Knees," you know, those kind of Motorhead songs.



"One Night Stand" has a great sort of Bob Seger chug to it, very classic rock. Until the solo, which has this great stuttering riff backing it that really caught my attention.



Speaking of classic rock chugging, "Christine" sounds like the worlds heaviest New York Dolls song. Which is awesome! Generic lyrics certainly don't keep it from being a classic in my book (it sure didn't stop "Shine").



"Devil I Know" has a pretty cool Judas Priest style groove to it. Its not the best song on the album, but I dig it.



Speaking of not being the best song on the album, while "Sword Of Glory" isn't the most musically remarkable thing Motorhead has done, its got some great lyrics about the dangers of history repeating itself. Its nice to see Lemmy use his age-aquired wisdom to write a truly affecting song.



"Trigger" has a nice catchy chorus to it, but what I really like are the Iron Maiden style harmonized lead guitar lines in the song.



"Under The Gun" has a swaying verse riff. Its one of the weaker songs on the album but its still interesting to hear Motorhead play a riff that reminds me of a ship sailing choppy waters.



"Living In The Past" has a mean tone and a MONSTER of a groove. Great riff. This one is a classic.



"Be My Baby" seems a bit clumsy with the song structure (the verse into the pre-chorus never feels natural), but the riffs and rhythms are certainly worthy of some headbaning, and even though its far from my favorite Motorhead song, I find it getting stuck in my head a LOT.



"Kingdom Of The Worm" is a total death grind. It's a pretty unique entry for Motorhead.



Did I forget anything...? Oh, right, "God Was Never On Your Side." Thats a dull ballad. Its perfectly okay as far as Motorheads ballads go, but I don't really care much for it.







So thats it. Another great Motorhead album. Fans should LOVE it. And if you're new to Motorhead and want to see how good their post-"Ace Of Spades" output was, well, this is just as good as any other album they've released since AOS.



In fact, its better than quite a few of the post-AOS albums."

Kiss Of Death

Morton | Colorado | 06/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Motorhead-Kiss Of Death *****



While I greatly enjoy the Fast Eddie Clark time period of Motorhead more than any other I am going to go so far as to say that aside from Ace Of Spades this is the second strongest Motorhead album to date. It's loud, fast, furious, intense, angry, and well....Motorhead.



For me Motorhead is one of the those bands along the lines of The Ramones in the since that they really can do no wrong and have yet to disappoint me. Kiss Of Death was released in 2006 with Mikkey Dee on the drum kit, Phillip Campbell on the guitar, and he sure gives Fast Eddie a run for his money here, and of course the indelible Lemmy Kilmister on bass vocals and lyrical duty.



Songs like the fireball 'Sucker' and 'One Night Stand' give us a glimpse into the Motorhead of old, while 'God Was Never On Your Side' takes the Motorhead of own, with it's socially conscious lyrics and takes it to the tenth degree creating one of if not the greates Motorhead song of all time. 'Christine' sounds like 1979 while 'Kingdom Of The Worm' owns just about every punk and metal track out today, and the great thing is they set out to do neither of those.



Kiss Of Death is essential, is pure, it's honest, it's good time rock n' roll at it's finest. Motorhead is legend!"