Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Motorhead - “Stage Fright” - SPV Records - 2006

Track Listing1. Dr. Rock 2. Stay Clean 3. Shoot You In The Back 4. Love You Like A Reptile 5. Killers 6. Metropolis 7. Over The Top 8. No Class 9. I Got Mine 10. In The Name Of Tragedy 11. Dancing On Your Grave 12. R.A.M.O.N.E.S. 13. Sacrifice 14. Just ‘Cos You Got The Power 15. Going To Brazil 16. Killed By Death 17. Iron Fist 18. Whorehouse Blues 19. Ace Of Spades 20. Overkill - encore

For thirty-years Motorhead has proven to audiences that a Metal Rock band does not need to be over the top technically and instead be simple, catchy and very, very LOUD. Those that have seen Motorhead in concert know that all these traits are tried and true and as a memento of their tour in support of “Inferno” Lemmy and Company have unleashed “Stage fright” upon the world. While the album for this tour was on Sanctuary Records, we find the DVD released by SPV Records and those who have seen recent products of this nature know that SPV really knows how to give you a good value for the money. The double DVD set includes the full concert (and being someone who attended a recent show this is to the song just minus the Mikkey Dee drum solo) as well as a second DVD loaded with bonus features. The concert itself is full of classic numbers and even a couple of obscure and hardly played ones.

In addition to the fan favorites of “Ace Of Spades”, “Killed By Death”, and “Iron Fist” Lemmy hits the audience with selections from “Another Perfect Day” which he reminds the audience was their least enjoyed album in the public eye. Two numbers appear from this album and seem to go over well after the years had passed by. Besides the classics or staple favorites I was happy to see “RAMONES” and “Going To Brazil” as I personally find those very fun numbers in the live sense. There is also a fair sampling of the “Inferno” album which is a “must buy” if you are a fan. The band has not sounded this good on record in years in my humble opinion. I was lucky to catch the final US appearance of the guys for this tour and for a change I got to see “Overkill”. You see the band used strobes for the entire song and in the club setting it made watching the band almost unbearable. I remember walking through the crowd that night to find friends and it felt like I was moving in slow motion. It was one of my many memories from a truly kick ass rock and roll show.

Production wise this DVD is top notch and the recording/filming is from a show to a sold-out crowd in Dusseldorf Germany. The members of the group joining Lemmy are Phil Campbell (a 20 year veteran on the guitar) and Mikkey Dee (drums). With no disrespect to the original three line up I really think this is the tightest the band has been and perhaps it’s because with age grew wisdom. The primary amount of features on DVD 2 is backstage interviews and the like. There is a great segment entitled “We Are The Road Crew” and what makes that special is all of the commentary from the folks who make sure the band can play their best each and every night. Motorhead has long been appreciative of this bunch and even penned a song for them. That song does not appear on the DVD in case you were wondering. There is also a segment with the Fans and some testimonials that are fun to watch. Packed in a slim case the DVD also includes a 16 page color booklet. There is a couple of great band photos and commentary from Lemmy.

This is a great DVD to own if you are a Motorhead fan or perhaps someone who is still afraid of checking out the band in the live sense since it truly gives you a picture of them that is worthy for any music DVD collector. The existing fans will view it as the next piece in the collection as SPV also released the 25th Anniversary concert (information about that one is for another review). I liked this and I consider myself the closet Motorhead fan with a few favorite tunes and a love of their delivery live. Given that I think a wide variety of people should check this out. Lemmy starts the show by saying “We Are Motorhead and We play Rock and Roll”. He isn’t kidding folks, he isn’t kidding. Raise your pint to the next thirty years.

Rating: 9/10

Official Web site: www.IMotorhead.com

--Ken Pierce 02.05.06