Hard Rock and Punk Classics in Mötorhead Fashion
Following the passing of rock icon Lemmy Kilmister, a great void was left in hard rock’s founding elite. Shortly before his passing, the entire band had elected to make a cover album of some of the greatest rock acts to grace the face of the earth. Lemmy and the others are no strangers to performing covers, from Christmas songs to The Rolling Stones and back, they’ve attempted it all.
Under Cöver is a blast from the past featuring some of the greatest rock and metal songs ranging from the ’60s to the early ’90s, featuring the gravelly vocal style of Lemmy and the overall punk/hard rock feel that the rest of the band projects. The album opens with a cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law,” and not only was the musicianship phenomenal, Lemmy’s voice came across in such a way that it seemed incredibly emotionally charged as if he were speaking from experience.
The compilation is a vast sampling that includes music such as “God Save The Queen” from the Sex Pistols, “Sympathy For The Devil” from The Rolling Stones, and “Whiplash” from Metallica, among many others. With “Whiplash” specifically, the galloping bass rhythm and sudden changes in tempo made it seem incredibly true to Motörhead’s natural style while doing right by the original as well.
With cover albums, it isn’t innovation or new techniques that make them worth the while. Covers come from a place of nostalgia and are meant to be fun while injecting new life into what may be older or more obscure material such as the rendition of “Heroes” from the late David Bowie that is included in this release. Though as saddening as it is to hear Lemmy’s voice and realize that there won’t be a chance for new music with his iconic vocals, recorded through an upside down microphone and beat up Rickenbacker bass in hand, it is an incredibly well done send off for one of the most influential Rock & Roll icons of all time.
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