No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
1981
Album Summary
No Sleep 'til Hammersmith is the first live album by English rock band Motörhead, released on 22 June 1981 via Bronze Records. It peaked at number 1 on the UK album charts. It was followed by the release of the single "Motorhead" (backed with the non-album track "Over the Top") on 11 July, which peaked in the UK singles chart at number 6.
WikipediaLet me tell you something. The world did not need nearly two hours of live Motörhead. Especially since a) the recording quality is super low and b) they blew their wad early by putting "Ace of Spades" as the very first track. It's 100% downhill from there with each track progressively sounding more and more similar. The end result is two hours of growling over a bed of fuzzy mess.
I'd probably like this better if I knew the studio versions of more of the songs. Otherwise most of the songs are quite samey with the beat and vocal cadence. Good in short doses though if you are wanting some thrash
Rockin' high energy Motorhead! I enjoy how Lemmy tells you the name of each song. Also, lots of additions to my workout playlist.
I was at first surprised to see a live album, but then remembered Johnny Cash. (Oh, and Fela Kuti!) Still, I feel like if you are going to include live albums on the list, there have gotta be better options than this? What makes this so special? It's not even one show! It's a compilation of live songs from several different shows. I prefer to hear one live show straight through, but perhaps there is also merit to culling the best songs from a tour? It kicks off with "Ace of Spades," and I give it a chance. It's the Motörhead song I'm most familiar with. Look - Lemmy doesn't have a great voice. But it kinda works with their sound. "Ace of Spades" also has some terrific guitar work. "Stay Clean"... not so much. It's a little more uneven after "Ace of Spades," but there is still some decent stuff worth noting. The soloing on "Metropolis" sounds like it probably inspired Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard - sounds a lot like the guitar vibe of "Ten" (which PJ never quite repeated). The start of "Iron Horse" also sounds pretty grunge-y. Motörhead is credited with inspiring the trash metal of the 80s, but their sound seems to have influenced a lot of grunge and alt rock as well. The riff in "No Class" reminds me of Queens of the Stone Age, but either the composition of the song is a bit rough, or the performance was. Parts of "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith" made me wonder where the line between metal and punk or grunge lies, and I like hearing stuff that walks the line between genres rather than playing things too safe and familiar. With early summer's hope of hearing live music again soon now fading, if you are looking for more classic live albums, check out Rolling Stones' 50 best live albums of all time - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-live-albums-of-all-time-173246/
Still about the same for me with Motorhead. Being a live album doesn't really improve things for me. I do like the wider range of material they're drawing from though, especially the earlier stuff from the first album. Favorite track is "motorhead." Like the plane sounds and air raid sirens at the end of that one. Lemmy certainly does have an oddly compelling voice and he really has incredible stamina with it too, sounding like he's pushing it to the max through the whole set.
I was kinda into this until I got to the 4th song, “the hammer,” which sounds exactly like—like, *exactly* like—“ace of spades.” I kept listening but I’m not sure why
This album is turning 40 this year… but they are all dead, sadly. A lot of energy here, and short, fast, catchy tracks. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it.
I was lucky enough to see Motörhead live before Lemmy died, and they rocked every bit as hard as they do on this album, and the show I saw was 30 years after this was released. Rock solid heavy metal and a voice that grinds through every song. An absolute blast to listen to and if Overkill doesn’t make you want to play heavy metal music then nothing ever will.
motorhead is an artist i've been trying to get into for a while, and i feel like this is the key to it. lemmy and the band have an incredible live sound, they sound just like they do in the studio; if not a little better. the full album was too long for me, so i just listened to the "england, 1981" songs because it's the same setlist over and over for the entire album. a 4 and a half would be a better option, but that isn't happening so it's a 5 from me
Another Motorhead album already, you're too kind! Sadly I imagine this might be the last to make the list. If you ask me Bastards and Overkill deserve a spot at the very least. The album itself: its fun. The songs are from the first 3 Motorhead albums and they are performed marvelously. Not much more to say. It's Motorhead they bleed rock'n'roll and don't give you any bullshit. Rock gods.
I found myself thinking of that live Jerry Lee Lewis album from a few weeks ago while listening to this Motörbeast. Feels like he would approve of this set list. Get in, loudly blast through the high energy shit the fans are there for in the first place, and get out. It’s a pretty simple recipe and yet so rarely delivered that it stands out when someone offers it up on a greasy platter like this. What’s interesting is that Apple Music has four different versions of this album, all of which add extra tracks and extend the runtime. There’s a deluxe remaster that’s 71 songs and damn near 5 hours long! I know fans are gonna fan, but come on. The original duration is part of what makes the thing shine, what makes it feel like you’re actually at the concert. It’s like a story that needs to be a movie vs. the same story being stretched to an eight season TV show. I loved this album; I don’t love it at 5 hours.
What am I meant to say? I am a man of metal, and Motorhead (despite Lemmy's frequent protestations that they were just a good ol' rock 'n' roll band) were a lodestone for so much that fucking ruled about heavy music - a cool look, intense volume, badass logo, killer albums. This is raw, raucous and delivered at 100mph. The best Motorhead albums are Overkill, Bomber and Ace of Spades; the vast majority of choons on No Sleep... come from Overkill, Bomber and Ace of Spades. Perfect. If you don't like music that sounds like it could kick your head in, you won't like this; if you're a metal fan, surely it's an automatic five stars? I was born in Hammersmith, you know...
Yeah that was actually very good. I was going to listen to a track or two then move on but actually played the whole album. Sounds like they were great live.
Hah hah, more Motörhead! You know exactly what you're getting. Fave track - "Capricorn", if only for the dedication to "all the poor bastards that only get one present for both birthday and Christmas"! 😂
I will keep my consistency here... It is not fair to give a 5 star to live albums or "best of" collections... But I wish I went to this concert... Great double album!
My main thought listening to this was "goddamn, that must have been a fun show." it ran a bit together for me towards the end, but a good listen.
So much energy brought live, I just wish the recording was a little clearer. To be expected for a live Motorhead album though.
Loud and in your face. Just the way it should be. My only knock is it never felt like a complete set as it was more a compilation
8/10 I didn't listen to the deluxe edition, just the original 40 minute release, but it was really good and I think I would've liked it less had it gone on longer.
Nice! This was full of energy and kept me going during busy times. I didn't have many standouts in particular, and couldn't be bothered to listened to the bonus tracks (version on Spotify is hella long) but still a good album.
Un disc en directe de referència, punt àlgid en la carrera de la banda i resum immillorable dels seus primers discos, tots ells incontestables. Per reviure'l un cop i un altre
Ace of Spades is a classic. Musically, this is straight thrash, get up and go, but it's Lemmy's gravelly voice that really catapults this into badass territory. The live album is absolutely amazing and brings all the feelings of being in a dirty, sweat filled stinky crowd totally engulfed in the moment and it's what really makes this album an exhilarating, rowdy bender. Lemmy, famous for his love of amphetamines is making a good show of it here.
This album is an absolute blast - this is not an album to work to or travel to or read to or cook to or relax to but if you're willing to just focus and give in to the relentless power, speed, volume and energy this is going to put a smile on your face. Lemmy is 100% charisma, surging his way through track after track like he's running and yelling his way out of (or into?) hell.
I've seen Motorhead a couple of times, and they've been good, but only on big stages at festivals in the middle of the afternoon. This makes me wish I'd seen them indoors at one of their own shows. Great live performances. High energy, tight playing, and a great crowd reaction, all brilliantly captured on this recording. Couldn't really want more from a live album. The performance is so good that I can't tell if the opening track, Ace of Spades, is the recording that everybody knows, or if this performance is note perfect to the studio version. 4/5
Like being repeatedly pummelled round the head with a sledgehammer. But. Also......Oddly charming and enjoyable. Released the same year that Metallica formed. Kill 'em All came a couple of years later. There's a lot of Motorhead in early Metallica.
Surprisingly great quality of recording and also the band sounding very much like in the studio. The songs are all very similar but despite that, I couldn't help but to nod along and enjoy the album which is why I'm going to bump this up to a 4
I was familiar with the overall sound of Motorhead and of course their best known song Ace of Spades, but never checked out their regular albums. But then again, perhaps their music is best enjoyed live (or at least through a well produced live album).
This is a banger of a live album. As I think I said with Motörhead before, I wouldn't usually listen to them but I'm happy when I do.
I once bought tickets to see Motorhead live but Lemmy died about a week after the ticket purchase. I never got to see Motorhead because Lemmy was dead. I did get a full refund on the tickets though. That's it, that's my story. I'm not as good at this as Nigel am I?
I actually quite it enjoyed it which is surprising. What I was expecting was a clusterfuck of black t shirts and stonewashed jeans doing rock n roll by numbers, what I got was...well I was that...but the live element made it better, which doesn't usually happen.
I enjoyed that way more than I was expecting. expecially considering how crap the recording quality is. i'd absolutely love to give it a 5 because of my enjoyment from it, but the quality of it really is a bit shit.
Killer live album. Absolute Rock n roll! Songs can be a bit repetitive but long live mötorhead!
Exactly what you'd expect from heavy rock royalty. Grinding guitars...mental drumming...and Lemmy making your ears bleed.
Se faire rouler dessus pendant 40 minutes Prefs: Ace of Spades, Stay Clean, The Hammer, No Class, Overkill, (We Are) The Road Crew, Bomber, Motörhead Moins pref: Iron Horse/Born To Lose
I never listened a lot to Motorhead, but this album really never lets you down. It's all sort of this thundering and very tightly held together mess. If you wanted to make a song that sounded like a hungover guy who hadn't showered in a week running from the law on a Harley that was about to fall apart, this is what that would sound like.
4.1 - A kick-ass live recording that makes me wish I was there. The momentum of this performance is staggering.
Relentless. Driving beats, gruff voice of Lemmy. From the initial chords, could be no other band. What a gret live album.
1/27 Didn't like the mix on this live album, but the music's still great. Standout Tracks: Ace of Spades, (We Are) The Roadcrew, Capricorn
This is a pretty heavy jam, and rockin' live album that honestly never felt live or overproduced like some of the other live albums we've had. It hits the same spot for me that ZZ Top did- it's enjoyable riffs, but beyond Ace of Spaces, very same-track. Def has its time and place!
Liking this more than the Thin Lizzy live album anyway. I have to say I do enjoy listening to this band, their sound is exciting and so consistently rock n roll. With two albums on the list though I kind of wish it was not a live album that included many of the songs on the other album. I enjoyed the Motorhead song, I think it's gutsy when bands write their own theme song, but I think this one works.
Enjoyable to listen to. Sounded like a fun concert. I hadn't listened to motorhead much before this. I would listen to more.
Pas vraimennt d’interet, j’aime le metal mais un show live de speed comme ca. Je ne suis pas certain que c’est dans mes gouts. 3
Had already got the original album. Love it, it must have been awesome to be at the concert, but I'd rather just listen to the studio recorded once since I don't have the memories to justify the live version.
It's raw, but I'm not sure in a good way. I may prefer their studio recordings. Probably not the best thing for 8:00 am at the office. I'm gonna take some ibuprofen now.
Decent, songs were a bit long and got kinda grating, but maybe it was just that I was driving through Auburn. 6/10
Eh It's ok. Don't really care for this though they sound great on the album. Not my cup of tea. 6/10.
Nothing like listening to a bunch of Motorhead songs back to back to back to realize that while they sound good, they all kinda sound the same
Wasn’t exited by this one at all, another live metal album. But this one goes hard and is not cringe at all. I really enjoyed it.
Es rumpelt und es bollert und es schreit, und es hat schon wieder diese fast warmherzige, alle umarmende Agression die wir an Motörhead so lieben. Und man hört Lemmys Spacerock-Vergangenheit auch so schön raus, in den luftig treibenden Drumrolls, den wabernden Gitarren und halt dem Bass, der da so schön im Vordergrund rumfuzzt. Da wäre man doch gern im Moshpit gewesen, hellwach und besoffen.
I've never been a big fan of Motorhead (although I love the Ace of Spades). This album kicks ass and makes me realize that I may have been missing something for a long time.
A legendary band for sure, blazing a trail for others but........ this gets pretty samey no?
Never been a huge fan. There is for sure something I like about Motorhead. I would totally see them live. But in the end, the writing is simplistic and it's not enjoyable to listen to a recording of their music. The melodies are non existent. It's like being yelled at in traffic for an hour.
It's Ace of Spades, the song everyone knows, but 18 times in a row and lasting an hour. Good thing that Ace of Spades is a good song, otherwise this would have been unbearable. Can't give this anything higher than 3 stars - these songs probably work better in a random heavy metal playlist than an album. I'm sure being at the concert was hype though.
Energetic and powerful, expected no less. Probably greatly symbolic of their live legacy, but after a few songs the experience doesn’t provide too much change from their most famous song.
Ace of Spades and Train Kept a Rolling are two all time great rock songs, and this entire live performance is brimming with high octane energy. I can't imagine listening to the deluxe 2+ hour version, but ~40 minutes was just fine with me!
Not sure if live albums should be on the list but this well-known album seems like a proper choice: classic Motorhead songs by the classic Motorhead line up. The songs sound better on the studio albums.
A solid rock album with plenty of gusto. However there's not much variety (several songs sound very similar to the classic Ace Of Spades. I do like Lemmy's vocals mind: I would highly recommend his first album with a Sam Gopal. That is an album worth seeking out.
A straightforward live album from Motorhead. Perhaps this is essential listening for Motorhead fans, but I could take or leave it.
I once motorboated my auntie at a wedding. Everyone was disgusted, but we didn't care. In fairness, she gave me head at the altar during the ceremony too. I was 8 years old. Love a Spackman wedding, the perfect storm of pleasure and crime. Lemmy was also there and gave me the thumbs up, so I'll take that as a victory. He refused to give me head.
A big ol' loud album for a Thursday morning. Not sure the Deluxe version is needed but how can you not enjoy Lemmy and Ace of Spades?
The classic lineup! You really get a feel for the power of the band. I remember how HEAVY this was considered at the time, and how quaint that idea feels now.
Energetic live album, enjoyed it but not excessively! I need to be in the right mood for metal.
I love motorhead. This album isn't bad. I just don't super fuck with live albums, add in that it's like almost 2 hours of different shows it seems. It's just not a vibe for me honestly.
This might be the weirdest album on here. I already listened to the "Ace of Spades" album and half of these songs are already on it. Anyway, I'll say the same thing here that I did there: Ace of Spades is a great song but every song sounds just like it and I'd rather just occasionally listen to it than sit through an entire album.
Glad I went the 40m route. Ace of Spaces (great!), followed by a bunch of lesser clones (meh). Capricorn stands out as being a little different than the rest (in a good way) Would this album been better if we had looped all of their live versions of Ace of Spades over and over? Frankly It'd probably sounds just about the same.
This is fine, but I don't really see the point when there's already other Motorhead albums on this list.
Lemmy positioned his microphone in an uncommonly high position, angled so that he appeared to be looking up at the sky rather than at the audience. He said that it was for "personal comfort, that's all. It's also one way of avoiding seeing the audience. In the days when we only had ten people and a dog, it was a way of avoiding seeing that we only had ten people and a dog.”
"a road that don't have no end" - that's as apt a description as any for this album. I do really like the cover though, it's a bitchin' stage setup.
för att vara livealbum så var det faktiskt inte så dumt alls, någonting speciellt med gamla GUBBS som kör järnet på en scen och skriker rösten ur sig
It's odd because it's not that good a live album - the editing between songs doesn't even try to make it sound like the songs came from one show. It's no 'Live At Leeds' but it's ok. You kinda know what you're going to get.
first song is too loud, ace of spades lang naintindihan ko sa lyrics. the next ones, not too much, some has cool riffs too. i also kinda like that it's the live version. overall, this is a good rock album but this isn't really my genre.
About the same as last time, although maybe slightly better since there is some banter. I wonder if some of this is overdubbed? Pretty consistent with their album, so if no overdubs then they did a good job.
Live Motörhead is still Motörhead. Autocorrect knows that name. Cool. A little of this went a long way for me and by about the third song I was kinda done. Ace of Spaces and Iron Horse I like best.
Adrenalínico, trashmetal. Se me hace largo y no me llena ya está música pero no deja de ser bueno.
Not deserving of a one but this was hard work - repetitive and dull - never got the fuss and a live album won’t change my mind
Didn't mind it but never been a fan of motor head and this hasn't encouraged me to change that position.
Seems to capture the energy of a live Motorhead gig well, although a live Motorhead gig sounds like two hours of the same song.
Every Motorhead song sounds like every other Motorhead song but it was an enjoyable, thrashing listen
Speed metal... I knew this album would be a miss for me without even listening to it, but of course I took on the challenge and did it anyway. I was right. I have nothing against this band, in fact I am in awe of them because it is clear to me that they were all really talented people. Apart from the song Ace Of Spades really, the rest of the live album wasn't that enjoyable. 2/5 stars for this one.
A live album is a really strange choice, and especially for Motorhead. I love the music usually, but the recording quality is so bad that I just can't really listen to this album. I'm not sure heavy rock/metal really translates well in live albums at all.
4/10. I feel like they're just making noise for the sake of it being loud. I couldn't distinguish much between the songs, or even pick out many of the words the singer shouted at me. That said, they do a fairly good job of making noise.
I don’t like the guy’s voice, and the recording sounds very amateur. There is some enjoyable guitar work here, quite a bit more than I expected. But still, I never need to hear this again.
I must be getting a little soft with all of this album listening, because I didn't dislike this as much as I feared I would. The band really does rock and the guitar work is quite sharp. The vocals are a bit "scream-y" for me, but seems to work well with the style. I wouldn't really go for it again, but better than some we've heard here.
This was another complicated listen. It rated a 2 to me because it was so long and very samey.
It is as if the whole album were a single song, all the same, without moments, it doesn't transmit anything...
I can see the appeal of their music if I'm in the right mood, but overall not a fan. 2 stars.
Ik houdt niet zo van de zang, en live albums kunnen me meestal ook niet bekoren. Aan de andere kant geeft dit album ook niet heel veel irritatie. **
If you’re seeking a live Motörhead album - this is one. Would be three stars but two hours long is too long
Nothing really grabbed me. Ace of Spades is always good but didnt come away with any other hits.
Not another live album. I'm not very familiar with Motorhead so it's a crying shame to start here. I like and recognized "Ace of Spades," but apparently the album with that same title is on this list, so why do we need this? I'm certain I'll enjoy the studio version more, not just of that song but any that also appear on both projects. This and most any live album on the list is a waste of a pick, especially when the same artist is included for a studio album. Favorite tracks: Ace of Spades. Album art: A shot of a concert, wow, so groundbreaking for an album recorded at a concert. 2/5
As much as I love Ace of Spades, the rest of the album felt like hard work to get through.
Every song would be improved by someone shouting, "THE ACE OF SPACES, THE ACE OF SPADES" at the end of each verse.
Instrumentals are what I would expect, but prefer singers who have some semblance of singing ability, even if it's metal.
Just like their song, this is overkill. If you're a fan of metal you'll probably enjoy this album. It's dynamic, noisy, and repetitive. However, to me, it was just a 2-hour long headache.
Agh fuck off Motorhead and other similar bands. This to overly represented. I like Ace of Spades, cos it reminds me of being a teen but the rest of it just sounds the same
- never got into Motörhead - not a fan of live albums - it sounds pretty good, just not for me - classic Motörhead vocal style - Fast and Loud - notable: Ace of Spades, No Class and Overkill
This is English rock band Motörhead's first live album, containing songs taken from their earlier LP's and recorded live on their 1981 British tour. The album was released at the peak of the band's popularity and many fans had been anticipating a live album. It's been rated as one of the best live albums of all time, and the album even made it to number 1 on the UK albums chart. The music is a mix of hard rock and heavy metal, laying the foundation for the band's thrash period. Normally I am not a big fan of metal, but the songs on this album were a fun listen and it being a live album may have helped with that. All rock/metal fans should lend an ear to this album if they haven't already.
I can only begin to imagine that this live album is in the list because Motörhead - as a band - are tighter than a fat gimp's leather knickers. Lemmy has a dreadful voice - it's gritty, hoarse and barely in tune. The crowd noises are distracting and irritating. Everything wrong with a live album is right there. But it's tight AF. As a live album, it does not encourage me to listen to Motörhead. An extra star simply for the talent of the band.
I’ve always heard good things about Motörhead but I was sad to find that most of their songs on the album sounded the same with a few changes to the lyrics.
The recording sucks, the live experience doesn't add anything to their music, and in any case, Motörhead has one song that they play over and over and they already have a studio album on the list. If somebody asks you to make them a list of albums they should listen to before they die, you list ten thousand albums and get a hand cramp from writing before you ever even think about this one. Best track: Ace of Spades, I guess
Motörheadin ongelma on sama kuin kaikkien niiden bändien, jotka pyrkivät pitämään kappaleensa ja erityisesti koukkunsa mahdollisimman yksinkertaisina, mutta jotka eivät lukeudu pop-musiikin suurimpien nerojen joukkoon: suurin osa materiaalista on tasapaksua. Rockin ensimmäinen periaate on, että "hyvä meininki" ei korvaa hyviä kappaleita. Ja kyllä, jos kaikki tämän levyn biisit olisivat Ace of Spadesin tasoa, saattaisi kysymyksessä olla viiden tähden levy.