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Album Review : Motörhead – Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic

Posted on 9th February 2023

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Review by Paddy Gallagher for MPM

Tempus Fugit as they used to say in ancient Rome. Here we are just over 7 years since Ian Fraser Kilmister, known worldwide as Lemmy left us; 7 years without a man who seemed so immortal.

His memory lives inside the (metal)head of many; my own memory is one of volume. Possibly the loudest gig I was ever at was their gig in the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin back in 2009; my ears were ringing for near a fortnight after. We will always have his voice, the crushing riffs and drums in the short, sharp songs crafted by this iconic 3-piece.

Motörhead ‘s final studio album “Bad Magic” was released in 2015 just 4 months before Lemmy passed away in Los Angeles, we can only wonder what we have missed in the intervening years, what magic we never got to hear. “Bad Magic” as the climax of Motörhead ’s studio career is a damn fine way to conclude the mission. 23 albums of instantly recognisable definitive music.

Now, we have “Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic”, with a release date of 24^th February 2023. This contains the original “Black Magic” album with several noteworthy extras for the completist.

These include two previously unreleased tracks, “Bullet in Your Brain” and “Greedy Bastards” plus covers of David Bowie’s “Heroes” and the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil”. Depending on the version you buy a second disc titled “Live At Mt. Fuji Rock Festival 2015 – Sayonara Folks!” is included which is the audio of their performance at the Mount Fuji Festival, Japan in July of 2015. Considering his health issues, the fact Lemmy made the trip and played the gig sums up the man!

Kicking things off is “Victory or Die” and “Thunder & Lightning” which along with “Teach Them How To Bleed” is classic Motörhead blow the roof off fashion. The brilliant “Till the End” containing excellent solos from Phil Campbell and very poignant lyrics maybe not copped at the time with a casual listen but with hindsight after 28^th December 2015, they gained enormous weight and deep-rooted emotion, almost a goodbye from a reflective Lemmy although who knows if he knew deep down that the end was soon given his recent health battles.

Mickey Dee’s contribution to Motörhead’s sound must be acknowledged, a lasting impression of him behind the kit is a mass of hair and arms flying, his work on this release, some of his best.

“Bullet in Your Brain” is a fine song, there’s a new video with footage of the band in the studio during the “Bad Magic” sessions and “Greedy Bastards” starts with words from Lemmy saying what many of us think regarding politicians and the elite. Again, fine lead guitar work from Phil Campbell. If “Greedy Bastards” is the last unreleased studio recording to see the light of day, then what a brilliant, middle fingered fuck you to the powers who wish to control. Genius!

“Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic” can be bought in several versions; Double 12” Vinyl, CD Digipak with Bonus disc, Limited Edition Boxset (containing the 12” vinyl and CD Digipak along with an exclusive 12” vinyl Lemmy interview and an exclusive edition Motörhead Ouija Board and Planchette) and digital download and Streaming routes. There is something inherently spiritual in putting on a Motörhead album and turning the volume UP!!!! Do it!!

“We are Motörhead, and we play Rock and Roll”. They did and during our lifetime. That is special!

Bad Magic: SERIOUSLY BAD MAGIC will be released on Double 12” Vinyl, CD Digipak with Bonus Disc, Limited Edition Boxset, Digital Download and Streaming.

The Limited Edition Boxset will contain the CD Digipak with Bonus Disc, Double 12” Vinyl, exclusive Lemmy War, Love, Death and Injustice audio interview on 12” vinyl and exclusive edition Motörhead – MURDER ONE Ouija Board and Planchette.