Motörhead – 1916

Next to be reviewed is the ninth studio album by metal legends and stalwarts Motörhead and as always featuring the God of metal Lemmy…not bloody Ozzy as people think! (Even the mighty) Bruce Dickinson is better than Ozzy. Anyway rant over and let’s get back to the review. This is probably one of the last overall amazing Motörhead albums, don’t get me wrong later Motörhead albums have a few great songs but the rest is just blah Motörhead and not amazing (although still a lot better than other bands). This is no ‘Overkill‘, ‘Bomber‘, ‘Iron Fist‘, ‘Orgasmatron‘ and the legendary ‘Ace of Spades’ album, one of the best metal albums ever!

However 1916 has something in common with the albums that were previously mentioned in that the album is like a sledgehammer to the senses. From the likes of the raucous fist to the face sing-a-longs of ‘The One To Sing The Blues‘ & ‘I’m So Bad (Baby I Don’t Care)‘ to the fast and catchy as hell ‘Going To Brazil‘ to the sombre and serious ballad ‘1916‘. Yeah you read that right, Motörhead have done a ballad about World War I and it’s a touching, sombre and sorrowful affair and one I always listen to on Remembrance Day to remember fallen heroes! Listen to it and tell me it doesn’t give you goose bumps and fills even the hardest heart with sorrow at the realistic portrayal of the tragic events. Anyway the rest of the album carries on and relentlessly pounds the listener and shows that even on their 9th album the sledgehammer that is Motörhead is still blunt, brutal and to the point. Hell even their ode to the RAMONES, ‘R.A.M.O.M.E.S.’ ended up getting covered by the RAMONES on their album ‘Greatest Hits Live’ (it is a studio recording before anyone points it out and…it’s also a more fun punk infused Motörhead song . The two bonus tracks on offer are ‘Dead Man’s Hand’ and ‘Eagle Rock’ which appeared on ‘The One to Sing the Blues’ single and one or two best of albums. They are decent Motörhead songs, nothing to amazing and not that bad.

To sum this release up I would have to state that if you already have the album then I personally wouldn’t bother with this release unless you are a completest or a mega diehard super fan that has to have every release by the God that is Lemmy! However if you haven’t got this album then slap yourself until you knock some sense into yourself and go and purchase it. As it will fit very nicely alongside your Overkill’, ‘Ace of Spades‘ & ‘Bomber‘ albums…what you don’t have them albums either?!?! Just stop reading and sort out your metal collection this very instance, go on what are you waiting for? (What do you think you were created for? Name the Motörhead song!)

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Track List:
1… The One to Sing the Blues
2… I’m So Bad (Baby I Don’t Care)
3… No Voices In The Sky
4… Going to Brazil
5… Nightmare/The Dreamtime
6… Love Me Forever
7… Angel City
8… Make My Day
9… R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
10… Shut You Down
11… 1916
12… Eagle Rock (Bonus Track)
13… Dead Man’s Hand (Bonus Track)

Record Label:
WTG Records

Release Date:
21st January 1991

Tracks To Check Out: The One To Sing The Blues, I’m So Bad (Baby I Don’t Care), Going To Brazil, R.A.M.O.N.E.S. & 1916