You got yours?
This is a re release of last years 'Inferno' album, repackaged (and rather smartly too it has to be said!) and with a bonus 30th anniversary DVD. This is not to be confused with the original bonus DVD that came with the 'Inferno' album, this is a new one! All rather confusing and it would probably have been a better idea to just release a DVD with the whole of the 30th anniversary show on, instead of just the six tracks on offer here. Surely most fans will already have the 'Inferno' album so why make them buy another copy?
As for the album itself, well it's probably the best Motorhead album for years, whilst 'Hammered' and 'We Are Motorhead' were by no means bad albums 'Inferno' just raises the bar. Where there were one or two obvious weak moments in the previous albums, there don't appear to be any here. From the opening track 'Terminal Show' it's full-on classic Motorhead, loud, intense and in your face. The guitar work from Phil is exceptional throughout (although Steve Vai lends a hand on Terminal show and 'Down On Me') and just listen to the drumming on 'In the Name of Tragedy' if you had any doubts about Mikkey!
Whilst every song undeniably has Motorhead stamped all over it there is a nice variety on offer, this and the consistency of the material is what makes 'Inferno' such a good album. The surprise package is the final track 'Whorehouse Blues', an out and out blues number featuring Lemmy on acoustic guitar and harmonica. It's totally different to the rest of the album but it works and rounds off an album that yet again (and we seem to say this about every Motorhead album!) sets the standard for everyone else.
The bonus DVD is excellent, featuring six tracks from the 30th anniversary show at Hammersmith (where else?!), the video and a 'making of' documentary for 'Whorehouse Blues', an interview with long time Motorhead album cover artists Joe Petagno and a retrospective of the last 30 years featuring interviews with Lemmy, Philthy, Fast Eddie, Mikkey and Phil. The live footage is great, the sound is a little rougher than on the 'Stage Fright' DVD but it captures the atmosphere of the show better and it's especially good to see 'Love For Sale' included.
The 'Whorehouse Blues' video is amusing but the 'making of' segment is even better, with Phil talking to all the look alike extras in turn in character, he then takes Elton John, Brad Pitt, Catehrine Zeta Jones and Jack Nicholson on a wander round the local shops! All very entertaining although the best part without doubt is the pole dancer who exclaims how delighted she is to be in the video because 'they're legends ... apparently'!
Joe Petagno was responsible for the classic Motorhead logo and has produced numerous Motorhead album covers over the last 30 years and this 20 minute interview is a fascinating insight into his creative process. Petagno produces original sketches and ideas from the last 30 years including never before seen sketches and ideas for covers that never happened as well as explaining the thinking behind the covers that he has done, definitely worth watching.
The inclusion of retrospective interviews explain why there was no such feature on the 'Stage Fright' DVD and at just over an hour long it was well worth waiting for. From their beginnings back in 1975 they trace Motorhead's history up to the present day. It would have been nice to have seen interviews with all the ex members but given the comments Lemmy and Phil make about some of them it's not surprising they didn't want to be involved, if indeed they were even asked! Fast Eddie gives some fascinating insights into how the band started whilst Phil and Lemmy amusingly dispute each others' stories and indulge in some truly awful joke telling.
The quality of the DVD and the elaborate packaging make this worth buying even if you already own a copy of 'Inferno'. Motorhead have always been a class apart and this whole package will explain exactly why that is!