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Album Review: MOTÖRHEAD – Clean Your Clock (Live in Munich 2015)

MOTÖRHEAD! LEMMY KILMISTER! The two names that forged a unique sound and thrust it upon the music world – the ultimate rock and roll band. Have you ever heard anyone say they didn’t like Motörhead? This was a band that everyone loved, and Lemmy was a charismatic figure who not only had fun onstage, but dished it out with the best of other musicians. [columns] [column size=”1/3″]

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Artist: Motörhead
Album Title: Clean Your Clock (Live in Munich 2015)
Release Date: 27 May 2016
Label: UDR GmbH
[list style=”music”] [li]Bomber[/li] [li]Stay Clean[/li] [li]Metropolis[/li] [li]When the Sky Comes Looking for You[/li] [li]Over the Top[/li] [li]Guitar Solo[/li] [li]The Chase Is Better Than the Catch[/li] [li]Lost Woman Blues[/li] [li]Rock It[/li] [li]Orgasmatron[/li] [li]Doctor Rock[/li] [li]Just ‘Cos You Got the Power[/li] [li]No Class[/li] [li]Ace of Spades[/li] [li]Whorehouse Blues[/li] [li]Overkill[/li] [/list]
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The show, in typical Motörhead fashion, just goes straight for the jugular with the songs “Bomber” and “Stay Clean.” In his heart warming voice, Lemmy says, “Thank you Munich,” before going into “Metropolis.” The wall of sound just blasts through my surround sound speakers, as the electrifying solo felt like it would peel the paint off my walls. The audience gave back an energy that is rarely seen in this day and age. They were proud of Lemmy.

As he humbly said thank you he introduces a song, “When the Sky Comes Looking for You,” from the last studio album Bad Magic. This is the only song ever played live from this album, and features shades of Chuck Berry, Blues, and Punk.

Lemmy has kept the intensity of a twenty-five-year-old, and while not many people could say that, the late 69-year-old musician kept that energy till the very end. Furthermore, not many musicians can say they did it on their own terms for so long, so well, and so consistently right up until the last album. It is incredible, as I joked around many times, he lived 70 human years but he lived like 140 in Lemmy years. He kept a certain decorum to his life and it showed throughout this recording and performance. Even when his side musicians try to rile up the audience, Lemmy in his own demeanor, called out the audience by saying, “No, no, no, no, no, no, no!” telling them, “That’s terrible! There are thousands of you out in the audience. Try it again, shall we?  1, 2, 3, 4!” The crowd erupted as he calmly says, “See, I knew you could do it. I have faith in you.” Then he strums his bass which sounds like hellfire, dedicating the song “Over the Top” to those who made some noise.

After a beautiful heartfelt melodic guitar solo by Phil Campbell, which felt more like an interlude for the song “The Chase Is Better Than the Catch.” As Lemmy introduced the song “Lost Woman Blues,” his voice seems to grow stronger and more haunting, as he channels so much emotion in this song. Kilmister then takes it up a notch with the song “Rock It,” and by this point the audience is already in Lemmy’s hand. Then to everyone’s delight the band breaks into the crowd favorite, “Orgasmatron,” which as the title suggests, was every bit orgasmic as ever. It is quite possible a few babies were created during this number. It’s probably what Lemmy wanted.

Eerily, the crowd was reminded about our limited time on earth as the band dedicates the song “Doctor Rock” to the late “Philthy Animal” Taylor, with a drum solo by Mikki Dee completing the homage to a legendary and influential heavy metal drummer.

The next few songs were basically an atomic bomb of great tunes. Starting with “Just ‘Cos You Got the Power,” followed by “No Class” – a heart-thumping ride from beginning to end. Then without any warning they blew the roof off with “Ace of Spades.” This staple song never gets tired and always the highlight of a Motörhead show. As Lemmy says “Thank you,” he introduces the audience to the Delta Blues inspired song “Whorehouse Blues,” – going against the grain with Lemmy showing us his harmonica skills. Sadly, the legacy and the live music of Motörhead wrote its final chapter with the classic “Overkill.” Listening to Lemmy announce, “This is the last song,” sends shivers and goosebumps down one’s spine. Tears came running down my face as he humbly says, “Thank You,” and with the voice that can never be duplicated, Lemmy screams, “Overkill! Overkill! Overkill!”

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