Release Date July 3rd, 2026
Format 2LP/2CD
Genre Heavy Metal
Origin England
Few bands have left a mark on heavy music like Motörhead. Formed in 1975 by the late Lemmy after his departure from Hawkwind, the trio built a career on speed, volume and an attitude that ignored trends from start to finish. Blending heavy metal, hard rock and punk into one explosive formula, Motörhead became one of the most influential names in heavy music without ever changing course to chase commercial success. Alongside Lemmy's gravel soaked vocals and bass playing, guitarist Phil Campbell (R.I.P.) and drummer Mikkey Dee formed one of the band's most enduring lineups, recording a string of albums that captured their relentless approach.
Originally released in 2006, "Kiss Of Death" arrived during one of the band's late career high points, following "Inferno" with another collection of no nonsense songs that proved the fire was far from gone. Twenty years later, this anniversary edition pays tribute to that period with a newly mastered version of the album and an excellent live recording from the 2007 Lowlands Festival, giving fans another chance to hear one of the band's final classic lineups in full flight.
"Kiss Of Death" remains one of the stronger albums from Motörhead's later years because it wastes little time chasing ideas outside the band's established formula. The riffs are rough, fast and built for maximum impact, Phil Campbell throws out memorable guitar work without unnecessary excess, while Mikkey Dee's drumming keeps everything moving with speed and precision. Lemmy sounds fully committed, delivering every line with the attitude and authority that defined his entire career.
Songs such as "Sucker", "Trigger" and "Kingdom Of The Worm" have the raw energy expected from the band, while "God Was Never On Your Side" slows the pace enough to reveal one of the album's most thoughtful moments, backed by strong lyrics and one of Campbell's finest performances. Guest appearances from Mike Inez of Alice In Chains and C.C. DeVille of Poison are welcome additions, though they never distract from the band's own character. The production has enough power without burying the instruments under excessive studio treatment, and the new half speed mastering gives the material extra definition without changing its original spirit. The Lowlands Festival concert is more than a bonus.
It captures Motörhead doing what they always did best, turning familiar songs into a relentless live set with very little between them except volume and momentum. The extra CD tracks add value, though the main attraction remains the studio album itself. Some songs follow similar patterns and a few lack the impact of the album's best moments, preventing "Kiss Of Death" from reaching the level of the band's greatest releases. Even with that, this anniversary edition reminds listeners why this era of Motörhead deserves far more recognition than it often receives. It is honest, loud and full of memorable riffs, with enough quality across the package to make the reissue more than a simple collector's item.
|8.5
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