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Motorhead
Inferno


4.0
excellent

Review

by sunsinger USER (16 Reviews)
August 29th, 2005 | 33 replies


Release Date: 2004 | Tracklist


Motorhead have been releasing albums for about 30 years now and Inferno is their 21st studio album. Although even their most die-hard of fans will confess all of their Motorhead albums sound the same, they will proudly declare their exciting stage-act is something that no metal fan can afford to miss.
Motorhead first appeared in 1975 when the NWOBHM had first appeared, their rapid high-energy riffs and aggressive vocals had them recognised by both the Punk and Metal community to cause an almost over-night sensation.

Terminal Show begins with a great riff, played so furiously that almost any doubts about Motorhead's playing can be put to rest. Lemmy takes it from this point and sings with the same gruff voice, the same form of lyrics, but with Steve Vai playing lead on this one. This is a definite high-point for the album, maybe for even band. I should probably point out that the production on this album is excellent.

Then comes Killers with a catchy chorus, some brutal drumming and a memorable riff. The solo is well-timed and sounds great against the rhythm of this track. After the final chorus a short solo finishes this song.

Another burst of life takes you into In the Name of Tragedy. The vocals are great; besides the same raspy voicing, the rhythm at which the vocals are sung is pretty catchy and the guitar work is as special as ever. Philip Campbell does a good job in his playing and in backing vocals. In the Name of Tragedy only feels a bit too short, but the solo is one of the best and the drumming never loses pace.

The bible-bashers can put their complaints to rest, this is an anti-suicide song. Suicide is not as heavy or even as energetic as other numbers on Inferno, but the pulse that it creates and the rhythm that it follows make it a unique moment on this album, probably the best in fact. The chorus, drumming and guitars are all filled in perfectly.

A very bluesy riff takes the beginning of Life's A Bitch -and the album- in a different direction. Through it all, I can say, Motorhead haven't had to change anything in their music that you would have heard about 30 years ago, although the repetition does become tiresome. However, as far as the album goes so far, it's all working out great.

Another particularly aggressive song begins and Mr. Vai even pops his head back in for a solo. The lyrics are well-written and create an annoyed atmosphere that you would appreciate if you're particularly annoyed yourself. The song fades out with the lead guitar still screaming, supported well by the drums.

In the Black isn't one of Motorhead's heaviest tracks here, and is about the closest you'll here to a filler on this album, and we're far from being disappointed by Inferno. The vocals work with the instruments to make a stomp-along track. At the end the drums fire on to carry In the Black to the very end.

Fight is introduced with Lemmy requesting "put the bass up, will ya?" after which, Lemmy and Philip take the limelight in both instrumentals and vocals. Although, saying that, the drums are played with Great Spirit by Mikkey Dee, and leave you with not only a great song to remember, and with a final "you mother***er" at the end.

In the Year of the Wolf seems like a fairly dull track that can only grow on you after another listen, but for the meantime, you'll probably just want to hear it for the solo.

A pick rake, then a slow and steady song plays on. Not to say it's a bad track, but that it's another song with an acquired taste. At around the third minute, a November Rain-style solo begins and for a few seconds the thought 'oh no, it's turning into a ballad' comes and goes almost instantly. I got a bit scared there.

Smiling Like A Killer brings Inferno back to life with a rhythmic chorus and a great solo. The bass is almost inaudible at some parts, but the drumming is both agile and palpated through-out the whole track.

Whorehouse Blues ends Inferno, and it's quite a strange way to end. It's a blues-style acoustic about everything the band have been through. It even features Lemmy playing harmonica and acoustic. It's odd. It may have been completely improvised, but it makes for a nice way to finish the album with a short discussion of "can we go now?", "yeah".

If you're an established fan of Motorhead, you should probably add this one to your collection if you haven't already. Otherwise, this wouldn't be a bad start, although you would probably be better off with Overkill.
It's now been made clear that Motorhead can write, record and tour for 30 years and still complete the list almost incident free. I suppose it would be rude not to buy this album in a sense.

Best Tracks: Terminal Show, Suicide, Life's A Bitch.



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user ratings (397)
4
excellent
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PsychicChris (4.5)
If Inferno isn’t the best album that Motorhead ever put out, then it’s a surprisingly powerful a...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Priestmetal
August 29th 2005


542 Comments


Long live motorhead!!! Unfortunetly I have not heard anything off this album. Pretty good review.

rosewood66
August 30th 2005


1 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

ive jst gt this album its gr8 vry energetic and especialy after seeing the hammersmith aniversary show, whorehouse blues is classic

gr8 review manThis Message Edited On 08.30.05

south_of_heaven 11
March 13th 2006


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

bahhh i cant find this cd anywhere!



good review tho, i just cant find this thing

MyRamona
March 18th 2006


1098 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Long live Motorhead!.......Lemmy outlived the laws of nature anyway. In the name of tragedy is an awesome song, btw you can buy this in Virgin megastores........well in the one near me n e way



good job on the review



pattern_recognition
March 18th 2006


950 Comments


This album blew me away. They totally exceed all expectations for a band their age, and remain one of the best, most energetic, hardest rocking trio of bastards to ever grace the earth.
The production on this is just phenomenal, and sounds absolutely crushing.
Great live too, supporting Motley Crue. Best. Concert. Ever.

MyRamona
March 22nd 2006


1098 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Im going to see them this summer, they're supporting the foos, with queens of the stone age as well. Gonna Rock!

Saxon Priest
June 9th 2006


110 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

My favourite album of 2004. This album does Motorhead justice, a worthwhile purchase.

metallicaman8
June 9th 2006


4677 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Classic album. Excellent review. Love the album art.

pattern_recognition
June 9th 2006


950 Comments


Whorehouse Blues is so damn good.

MyRamona
June 29th 2006


1098 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Not as good as terminal show.

south_of_heaven 11
June 29th 2006


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Best is Killers though

MyRamona
June 29th 2006


1098 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I guess you're right if you're basing it on the traditional Motorhead sound, but I really love the new sound they seem to be adapting on this album. Especially on tracks like ITNOT and Terminal show.

south_of_heaven 11
June 29th 2006


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I love all of those tracks. But out of all them, it's really 'Killers'. But if their next album just features songs like 'Terminal Show', 'In the Name of Tragedy' and 'Down On Me', it will still be frickin sweet.

Monty666
August 2nd 2006


12 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Im kinda new to Motorhead but i love them already, Excellet review by the way, now compaired to this how does Ace of Spades rate?

south_of_heaven 11
August 2nd 2006


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Im kinda new to Motorhead but i love them already, Excellet review by the way, now compaired to this how does Ace of Spades rate?


This is a lot heavier than Ace of Spades. I still think Ace of Spades is better, but my all time favorite Motorhead album is Iron Fist

Mikesn
Emeritus
August 2nd 2006


3707 Comments


In the Name of Tradgedy was great, I gotta pick this up.

MyRamona
August 3rd 2006


1098 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Yeah, mix the old with the new, buy this and one of their first four for a good idea of Motorhead.

rockstar18
November 14th 2006


741 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

g8 album!!!!

Slaytan
November 28th 2007


1185 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Very good job on the review. I really like this album as well, definitely in my top 3 favorite Motorhead albums.

darkthrone1
December 6th 2012


387 Comments


killers and terminal show rule



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