Artist: Motörhead
Label: Sanctuary Records
Release Date: 6/22/04
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Title: Inferno Artist: Motörhead Label: Sanctuary Records Release Date: 6/22/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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3 | ||
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4 | ||
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3 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Never really dug this band. Never hated them, never liked them, never cared. So with this in mind, I'll try to refrain from the every song sounds like "Ace of Spades" rant I've been known to espouse before. The good news for Lemmy & Co. is that I couldn't imagine giving their band worse than a two-skull rating. On the other hand, I couldn't imagine giving any of their albums better than a three-skull rating.
"One word review: Lemmynous!" Inferno strikes me in much the way Rock and Roll did over fifteen years ago. The songs are relatively catchy, upbeat, and (of course) simple. And that's pretty much all Motörhead can ever really hope for. While the musicianship level rises a bit on this album due to a guest appearance by Steve Vai, this album should shock no one.
I do like this album better than Hammered, which will probably be more accepted by the Motörhead faithful than this new one will, while I thought it was incredibly dull. This record is a little over produced by Motörhead standards, coming in far too 'crisp' for what this band's fans expect. It doesn't really bother me all that much, but at the same time, the ugly, bare-bones rock vibe is one of the characteristics that has allowed this band to endure for as long as it has.
So, I like this album more than most of the other Motörhead albums I've listened to, but that ain't saying much. I'll be the first to admit that a long time fan should ignore just about anything I have to say on the subject (which is convenient, because they do anyway - so everyone wins!), but I also think that the only people that are still buying Motörhead albums are the long-time fans. One word review: Lemmynous!
Death's Review:
At this point, what can you really say about a new Motörhead album? What can any fan really expect? If you don’t already know what this legendary band is all about, stop reading now, start with the classics, and then rejoin us when you are up to speed. For the rest of you, I’m happy to report that yes, this is a “Motörhead” album, and yes, the description is meant to include everything you expect to go with that name. Surprisingly, however, Inferno is definitely a notch better than other recent Motörhead studio releases. The songs are catchier than before, and Lemmy displays a real songwriting talent on almost every song. With Inferno, Motörhead have mastered the art of writing songs with fun hooks that still retain that dirty rock-n-roll vibe.
"Motörhead is still kickin’, and yes, their effort is definitely still worthwhile." The album pretty much rocks. The songs are catchy and familiar without sounding tired. In fact, the choruses all have a certain type of melody line that somehow keeps me interested but still just rocks out, Motörhead style. The lyrics are simplistic yet perfect for this type of music. In the end, I really can’t expect too much more from a new studio album from Motörhead in 2004. Indeed, I definitely expected less. Obviously, there’s not really anything different happening here. If you have despised Motörhead in the past you definitely don’t want any piece of this. But if you’ve liked Motörhead in the past, and even if you’ve been underwhelmed by their recent studio efforts, you may like this one better than you think. Crank it loud in a cigarette filled room while you’re kicking back drinking beer with other people who like to party. Rock out. Live loud. Bang your head with alcohol-fueled abandon. Motörhead is still kickin’, and yes, their effort is definitely still worthwhile.
Hel's Review:
Motörhead is apparently one of those bands that all metalheads are supposed to love. My apologies to those who do, but I have always thought they sucked. Yes, I am one of those people who believes that nearly every song sounds like “Ace of Spades” and if we were ever to listen to any given Motörhead album together, including this one, I would start singing “Ace of Spades” at the appropriate moments, and you will not be able to help but agree. Or, at the very least, you would laugh.I will admit that, however I may feel about their music, Motörhead has always done their thing with integrity, and this is clearly a good album, if you are a fan. “In the Black” is so undeniably catchy, I would be absolutely shocked if it were not released as a single – hell, it even had me singing along. I certainly enjoyed the latter half of the album, with the exception of the closing track, “Whorehouse Blues” – a countrified ballad – quite a bit more than the beginning. Whatever else I may think of the band, this is a toe-tapping album.
"Whatever else I may think of the band, this is a toe-tapping album." Despite the fact that I have never been, and probably will never be, a fan of the band, I do acknowledge their value based on the fierce loyalty of their fans. This is one of those classic bands I don’t get, like AC/DC. Because I do have respect for both their fan base, and the integrity with which they’ve done what they’ve done over the years, I don’t feel right giving this record less than three skulls, even though my personal tastes would generally dictate otherwise. While the lyrics are sometimes silly, they are truly honest, for example, “We ain’t never been good lookin’ but we are satisfied.”
I know that long time Motörhead fans will definitely enjoy this album, and I encourage them to continue their support for the band. Even though I don’t like their sound, there are enough diehard fans out there for me to believe they must hear something I don’t appreciate in the same way. But, despite the fact that I balk at giving this record the two skulls I usually would, my favorite part of the album is the way it ends: someone says, “Can we go now?” My sentiments exactly. Can I go now?
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