How do you even attempt to create a collection of Motörhead‘s forty-year career? If you’re BMG Records, you put together Everything Louder Forever, which they describe as “the definitive assembly of Motörhead songs that have created [a] cultural phenomenon, and represents the first time all the eras of the band’s recorded history have been represented in one place.”
Starting with the classic, frantic “Overkill,” Everything Louder Forever packs so much power into two CDs / four LPs that it’s bursting at the seams. Lemmy Kilmister‘s heavy bass comes to the forefront on “We Are Motörhead” and never leaves for the rest of the collection. “Fast” Eddie Clarke‘s guitar solo on “Snaggletooth” (a song named after the band’s logo) is stunning. Brian “Robbo” Robertson‘s piano pounding adds a fun touch to “Rock It.”
The fuzz of “Orgasmatron” never gets old. Mikkey Dee‘s drums on “Sacrifice” are bonkers and make you stop in your tracks and pay attention. “Killed by Death” is still one of Motörhead’s wittiest tracks, as is “Smiling Like a Killer,” in which Kilmister takes on the persona of a happy man with a dark, deadly secret. “Keys to the Kingdom” is a good example of how well Motörhead could groove.
The double kick drum on “Burner” is perfect for the afterburner energy of it. “Just ‘Cos You Got the Power” has Kilmister at some of his angriest on the vocals and some of Micheal “Würzel” Burston‘s best guitar work. “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” is a fun tribute to fellow rockers. “I Ain’t No Nice Guy” features Ozzy Osbourne on guest vocals and Slash on guitar. The compilation ends, appropriately, with “Motörhead.”
It’s full of great tracks, too many to list and review here. It works as both an introduction to the band and a fine addition to an established collection.
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[Thanks to Maria at Adrenaline PR.]