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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)

Motörhead

1981

Buy At Rough Trade
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
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. The Daily Telegraph rated it the best live album of all time. It is also featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.05

Votes

12455

Genres

  • Metal
  • Hard Rock

Reviews

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May 24 2021
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1

Motorhead have one song, then endless, watered down copies of it.

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Apr 17 2021
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3

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

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Aug 16 2021
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2

Let 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.

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Feb 08 2021
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3

One trick, but it's a fun one. Probably wouldn't listen again.

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Aug 23 2021
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3

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/

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Jul 12 2024
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3

I’m sure Motörhead shredded live at this concert but for the uninitiated this is just a wait through some same sounding songs until Overkill.

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Mar 22 2021
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2

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

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Feb 06 2021
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2

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.

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Jul 11 2024
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5

Well if you’re gonna listen to a Motörhead album, this is defo the one. They really were a band best enjoyed live (albeit I saw them later in their career than this ‘peak’). So this really is a greatest hits album with all the intensity from their live show. The drumming is immense (the double kick drum in this style must have inspired the thrash metal bands), bass so slick and fast and great guitar solos. I think they are best described as just ‘relentless’ and unique of course. Not sure any regular album would score high, but this is a 5 for sure.

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May 18 2021
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5

Rockin' high energy Motorhead! I enjoy how Lemmy tells you the name of each song. Also, lots of additions to my workout playlist.

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Aug 30 2024
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5

Of course Motörhead is mainly known for the albums "Ace of Spades" and "Overkill" but this live recording just pretty much combines some of the best songs from these albums and also some of the best takes and versions of these songs. The whole album is full of raw and energetic Heavy Metal and Hard Rock and in pretty much the best way you could imagine. It's noisy, aggressive and full of loud and over the top performances. Of course the album starts with the all known and legendary 'Ace of Spades' and it is without a doubt on one level with the studio recording. In fact, this is an even nastier recording with much more loudness and noise and it's just so grimy. It starts with the short outro from the song played before in the show but quickly turns into the iconic riff and the the raspy vocals of Lemmy which in this version add really much as some parts feel even raspier. A perfect start to the album and also a pretty perfect song as a whole. Second song 'Stay Clean' captures the essence of Motörhead and the album pretty good. It's really strong Heavy Metal with Hard Rock mixed in as well as some Speed Metal parts. The hook's pretty memorable even if it isn't as crazy as 'Ace of Spades' for example. The riffs and the whole flow of the song is pretty nice although it would've needed some more dynamic or melodic changes throughout but still, it is a really well made and incredible track. 'Metropolis' is introduced by Lemmy and starts with some cymbals and an epic sounding guitar that is quickly turned into the Metal beauty that the track is. The song in general feels epic mainly with how it's structured and how the vocals are delivered. The lead guitar really rips this thing up and the lyrics just add to the atmosphere of the song. It's an incredible song, nearly perfect if it had a little more memorable hooks. Even if many people really love 'The Hammer', I have a hard time really loving the song. Don't get me wrong, it is incredible but I feel like some people give this track much more credit than I think it deserves. It is pretty well structured and the isntrumentals work really well but for me the song starts to get really good halfway through. The first half just feels a little off even if I can't pin down why I feel that way. But yeah, still a really great track. The less heavy and less noisy 'Iron Horse' feels like a much more centred and "sentimental" track. It feels not like the standard Motörhead song but it is really great nontheless. The way the guitar adds to the more melancholic feeling by perfectly breaking through the verses is just incredible. If they had shortened it, this would be one of the best songs they ever recorded. The albums first half ends on 'No Class' which brings the rebellious and heavy sound back with some pretty melodic deliveries and performances. It is a pretty great song although it feels much less incredible when compared to some of the tracks so far. The chorus is fantastic but some parts in verses and bridge are a little bit off and uninteresting which harms the already pretty short song into being a little less memorable. The legendary 'Overkill' starts the albums second side with fast and rumbling drums and bass that make it feel like a helicopter flys above them when performing. It is an incredible track that even at over 5 minutes never stops to rock even the bridge that at first feels like the song is about to end but then picks it up again with some great guitar work which is repeated multiple times and works every time perfectly. It is one of the most energetic tracks on the album as well as one of the best. Just a pretty perfect song. '(We Are) The Road Crew' keeps the fast and energetic Speed Metal sound and although it isn't as full on mind blowing like 'Overkill', it is still very memorable and catchy especially with the chorus which is performed really f-ing good. The whole song is performed really f-ing strong and easily one of the best songs on the album. Up next is 'Capricorn' which is one of the weaker songs even if it still is a great song. It just feels a little less focused and it takes much less of a presence even when some of the details are really great especially the echoing vocals and the guitar riff. The return to Speed Metal is made with 'Bomber' which is another incredible song. It is fast and energetic and full of great moments and performances both with the instruments but also with the vocals and the chorus. It's pretty much another perfect track. The song 'Motorhead' which gave the band their name actually brings in some Punk deliveries while still keeping the Heavy Metal & Hard Rock sound. It is a mix of genres that work suprisingly well and this performance is just a great showcase of that. It is raw and full of energy and closes the album with some noisy and rebellious deliveries which is why this is another perfect song. favourites: Ace of Spades, Overkill, Motorhead, (We Are) The Road Crew, Bomber, Stay Clean, Metropolis least favourites: Capricorn, No Class Rating: decent to strong 9 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

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Jul 12 2024
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5

I have been listening to this album since I was 11. It was definitely my favourite back then. I want to explain all the exciting nuances to the reviewers who think it's all just the same song. E.g. Lemmy's bass solo on Stay Clean! And to ask them to try jumping around their bedrooms with a tennis raquet while listening, so they can access its thrills.

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May 14 2021
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3

That drummer gets a serious workout, two hours of fast-paced beats like this?!

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Apr 15 2024
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1

Hey Motorhead, play that one that goes *hums the riff to Ace of Spades* Motorhead: yeah, you're gonna have to narrow it down

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Mar 20 2024
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1

Well the only thing of note from this listen is that I answered the never-before-asked question of where one might not fall asleep first --- Hammersmith or Brooklyn. I felt angry, uptight, and confused listening to this. Literally could not tell where one song ended and another began. I so dislike this band and this sound even more than I dislike their misuse of the umlaut. I most certainly do not need to listen to this music before I die.

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Jan 12 2023
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5

Superb. Favourite band and made me feel like I was seeing them live again.

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Nov 03 2022
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5

Holy crap. Is this the best live metal album of all time? Full throttle from the start. Amazing versions of "The Hammer," "Ace of Spades," "Overkill," and the finale of "Bite the Bullet / The Chase is Better Than the Catch" is incredible.

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Jun 15 2024
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5

I used to think I don't like Motörhead. Attending a concert by my friend's Motörhead cover band changed my mind. They're a quintessential rock band and simply fun to listen to. In terms of production and sound quality, I will always prefer studio recordings over live recordings and the mere presence of live albums in this book is a peeve of mine. That said, the track list being mixed and matched from different sets saves us from too much annoying crowd dialogue, but it also feels less organic. As for the music itself, the bands' playing is extremely tight and they achieve an impressively full sound for a three-man outfit. The guitar work is fantastic, but the compositions would probably have benefited from a second rhythm guitarist. Would have to judge that properly with studio recordings though. A nice listen either way.

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Sep 24 2021
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5

Love it. Lemmy and Motorhead live are a true force. RIP Lemmy

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May 25 2021
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5

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.

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Sep 16 2024
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5

Absolutly insane music. Pioneere of the genere of heavy metal. Intense, rapid and raw. Never had a chance to see them live and I kind of males me sad. Their energy live was huge you can hear it in the crowd. Amazing selection of songs. I kind of dont like live albums cause I feel it chatong havong all the good songs in There but this is the really good stuff

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Aug 28 2024
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5

Die beste Heavy Metall Band zeigt auf diesem Album, warum.

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May 05 2024
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5

I fxcking love Motörhead!!! This is like a greatest hits with more energy and more rock 🤘Fly high Lemmy

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Jul 17 2024
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5

If Motorhead were a drug they'd be speed amphetamine. Because they were not really a heavy metal band and they encapsulated a lot of what was punk with some of the biker attitude to. This is basically the arc of the curve. A Greatest Hits live. No double album, no indulgence. Just in and out. Start with the biggest and best song and play a load of others that sound not too dissimilar and then fuck off. Perfection.

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Jul 02 2024
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5

Lemmy Kilmister was a man of few words, with simple yet efficient pleasures. He loathed long intellectual takes such as the ones I routinely churn out on this app, often seeing them as condescending, pretentious, and unsincere. Which is food for thought, very ironically. Whether Lemmy was right or wrong in his distrust of "music critics", their tastes, and their long-winded paragraphs, is not for me to say. Yet I'm gonna keep my own review short as a loving tribute to the man, God rest his soul: This live record KICKS ASS! Most early Motörhead bangers can be found in it, and they SLAP. 5/5, what else? Number of albums left to review: 145 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 368 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 217 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 274

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Jun 16 2024
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5

This is how all live albums should be.

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Jul 13 2021
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5

5/5. motorhead is the sweetspot between punk and hard rock and it just fucking works!

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Jul 11 2024
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5

Motörhead is one of the all-time greats, and for good reason! Thanks for the awesome ride, Lemmy.

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Oct 23 2022
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5

Motorhead!!!!! Lemmy is god. I like studio albums better but still amazing

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May 12 2024
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5

Peak album from a band that was the best at what they did

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Mar 21 2024
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5

Every song sounds fairly the same, lucky thing that song is banging

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Sep 13 2021
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5

Wat een stem en wat een band, legendarisch

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Jun 14 2024
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5

Great live album and great classic messy hard rock. Loved it.

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Feb 15 2024
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5

Makes me want to live off speed and JD.

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Jul 28 2021
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5

These guys rock. No question there. Damn.

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Sep 27 2023
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5

Shit, this rocks so fucking hard!!! Fav Track: Metropolis

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Jun 09 2022
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5

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...

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Jun 09 2022
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5

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.

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Nov 12 2023
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5

One of the very best live albums, as Motorhead flatten their own songs from the studio versions into noisescapes even more reliant on blast beats and pure speed.

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Sep 01 2023
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5

Outstanding live album. A lot of Motorhead songs can sound the same but the energy and rawness of their music is incredible. Bomber :bowdown::bowdown:

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Aug 19 2021
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5

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.

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Jul 30 2023
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5

Rápido e certeiro, toda energia do Motörhead ao vivo.

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Jun 16 2023
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5

A very tight live performance, recorded well.

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Oct 24 2024
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5

"No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith" is pure, unfiltered rock 'n' roll at its finest. From the first thunderous notes of "Ace of Spades" to the last electrifying chords of "Bomber," this live album captures the raw energy and sheer power that only Motörhead can deliver. Lemmy's iconic gravelly voice, the blistering guitar solos, and the relentless drumming create an unforgettable sonic experience. This album isn't just a recording; it's a high-octane celebration of everything rock stands for. A must-listen for any fan of the genre. Absolutely flawless.

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Aug 22 2024
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5

Five starts. No sleep it's a must in any list of the top live albums of all time.

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Jan 08 2024
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5

I'm not typically into live albums as they usually just sound bad but Motorhead is made for live performances. Motorhead are legends with Lemmy's distinct snarl and the fast and aggressive sound that would have been out of this world for the 70's or even 1981 when this came out. Musicianship is tight, the songs are well crafted even if we don't get a lot of versatility. Anybody who is just getting into metal or wants something a little heavier from their normal rock rock music check out Motorhead.

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Jul 10 2022
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5

I prefer studio albums, but a classic is a classic for a reason.

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Nov 19 2021
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5

I love their power and sound! Just the recording is not good.

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Nov 08 2024
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5

"...trick question, Lemmy IS God." Seriously though, if you don't like Motörhead, I don't like you!

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Dec 01 2022
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5

Best live rock and roll album ever made. Made the bands reputation rock solid. ( no pun intended)

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Jun 12 2021
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5

Easily one of the great live albums. Really captures the ferocity of Motörhead

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Feb 08 2021
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5

This is the good stuff. These guys rock hard and they sound amazing live.

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May 30 2023
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5

I loved this album. 40+ minutes of hard, fast, rock. Lemmy's vocals are unique but work. Amazingly full sound produced by just three guys.

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Nov 08 2024
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5

It's been maybe the longest stretch of this experiment so far that I've seen a guarantee 5 star. Motorhead. Everything louder than everything else. Don't like it? Fine. They are the best rock band ever. I remember a lot of the experience of buying the cassette. Used, 6 years ago, Washington DC, with someone I fell hard for and ended up breaking my heart. Still have the cassette though, and something of this magnitude is worth many times the $6.99 I paid. I remember one specific experience driving to this. I was working a comic book convention in New Hampshire with a local shop, and while the owner drove the box truck with all the inventory back to the shop in Massachusetts, I drove his bigass truck and put this on. It gave me focus for such an ungodly beast. Really wish I got to see them just once. I love Motorhead old and... older, I guess. Not just the s/t and Iron Fist but also Bastards and Kiss of Death. I have a Motorhead / Star Wars mashup (sorry) tattoo of a clone trooper helmet with Snaggletooth on top, saying "BORN TO LOSE / LIVE TO WIN." Maybe even better than the Ramones at keeping things simple.

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May 22 2024
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5

5 Stars. Absolutely awesome. Miss Lemmy.

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Jun 07 2024
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5

Right from the opening this blows you away. I like the live versions of these songs better than the album versions.

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May 11 2021
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5

"It's fuckin' Mo-tör-head, alright? Fuckin' hardcore Motörhead." -Dee Snider

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Jun 10 2024
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5

Everything you need a live album to do. The band sounds incredibly tight and the energy is through the roof.

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May 30 2023
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5

Hard hitting unrelenting rough edged punk metal.

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Mar 27 2023
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5

I can't quite remember a time I haven't enjoyed Motorhead, despite having not really explored them all that much. My brother is a massive fan of the Overkill album, while I have a soft spot for their self-titled debut. 'Iron Horse' and 'Motorhead' are great songs. Rediscovering 'Overkill' and 'No Class' was a joyful experience. The energy that comes across even in the studio recording is multiplied several times live, and all that comes out in this album. I can only imagine how it must have felt actually being there to take it all in. One of the special efforts which I'm sure I'll never tire of. 5/5.

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Nov 12 2021
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5

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

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Feb 16 2024
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5

Awesome stuff. Need to listen to them more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Feb 21 2024
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5

Possibly the best album to choose to decide if you love Motörhead. I already knew the answer to this question, and already knew where I stood on this album. I just wish my speakers were 20x as loud.

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Jan 17 2024
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5

Just awesome, this is the best album so far. Lemmy has such a distinguishable voice and Motorheads sound can't be compared to any other band. It's crazy to think that this album came out over 40 years ago

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Jan 19 2024
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5

Ah, Another Motorhead album. The first one i looked at was very good and this one, No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith, is very good too. The songs still had that high energy I expected from Motorhead and the songs were all very high quality being played live. The songs do sound a bit more samey but not enough to ruin the album for me. While its not as good as Ace Of Spades. It is still a very good album Best Song: Iron Horse/Born to Lose Worst Song: (We Are) The Road Crew

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Feb 17 2023
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5

Cinq étoiles, juste parce que j’ai rarement autant pris plaisir à écouter un album pour la première fois!

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Feb 23 2023
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5

Crikey, from the drivel to the Sturm und Drang in one album.....LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I wonder if the people sitting in the Tracy Island 1001 Albums command centre are watching our reactions and playing with our minds, "Sooo Pet Shop Boys has disturbed your equilibrium...here have a cleansing dose of Motorhead.".. This is one tight well rehearsed battle tested hard touring band. Who else would write a cracking tune about their road crew? Phil and Lemmy swing, great rhythm section, it takes a damn fine bass player to make the Rickenbacker rock and he absolutely kills it. Fast Eddie is just a sonic boom, I'd have killed to see Motorhead, what an experience that must have been. As Beavis once eloquently put it "Lemmy rules". They were on the Young Ones for a reason. 10/10.

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Sep 29 2023
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5

Honestly this is one the greatest heavy metal bands ever. Lemmy is a demi-god who now watches over us with beer and a fag hanging from his crooked mouth. I went to see them a year before this when the warm up band was the Plasmatics led by Wendy O Williams and it was banned can you believe because they wanted to blow up a Rolls-Royce on stage! I mean what's wrong with that?! So there we were after the gig- two 14 years olds staggering out into the night surrounded by burly bikers in leather who made sure we got on the tube ok. I was a wreck and one of my ears was bleeding at the end. I was a mess the next morning in Spanish. Never forgotten it.

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Feb 05 2023
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5

YEEEEEEAAAAAAAA ROCK THE FUCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Feb 06 2023
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5

Doesn’t let up for a moment. Usually when I find expanded and deluxe I stop at the original version of the record. This time I kept going.

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Mar 21 2022
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5

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.

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Feb 17 2022
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4

Como si te pasara un tren por encima...

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