Motorhead and mainman Lemmy will always be at the forefront of the metal scene and held in high esteem as one of the most influential bands around. Certainly they were pioneers of the speed metal scene, playing rock’n’roll in its most brutal form.

This year sees the band’s 30th anniversary, and to celebrate Motorhead are playing a one off show at Hammersmith (where else?) with the legendary Bomber stage show, and in conjunction there’s this expanded edition of that seminal 1979 album.

Many tracks have appeared on the rehashed back catalogue, but as a complete album it’s really something special.

Disc 1 is the original album, kicking off with the classic Dead Men Tell No Tales and Stone Dead Forever is, like the whole album, pretty well known. As for the title track; legendary springs to mind.

Bassist and vocalist Lemmy, with the clean guitar of Fast Eddie and underrated drummer Phil Taylor produced a fuller, fatter, faster, catchier and heavier sound than you could believe came from a three piece.

Disc 2 expands on previous bonus tracks with alternate versions, live tracks and single b-sides (keeping them off the original disc). The Golden Years EP is here in full too. Whopping in more ways than one.

While so many compilations have tarnished the catalogue, decent and straight reissues are few and far between. This set shows how a classic album should be done, properly.

*****

Review by Joe Geesin

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly