Motorhead, ‘Clean Your Clock’ – Live Album/DVD Review
The death of Lemmy Kilmister left a huge void in the world of hard rock and metal. He was a unique character with a larger-than-life persona who had legions of fans and friends. Lemmy was certainly one of the most iconic frontmen the world ever saw.
A little more than a month before Lemmy’s death last year, Motorhead played two sold-out shows at the Zenith in Munich, Germany. Those shows were recorded and compiled into Clean Your Clock. It’s available in numerous configurations including standalone CD, CD/DVD, Blu-ray/CD, vinyl and a limited edition box set.
The 15 songs include the classics you’d expect like “Ace of Spades,” “Bomber” and “Overkill” plus more recent material such as “Lost Woman Blues” from 2013's Aftershock and “When the Sky Comes Looking for You” from last year’s Bad Magic album.
Clean Your Clock is raucous and raw, with the set captured as it was played, with a lot of energy and passion along with some minor imperfections. Even though he was nearly 70 at the time, Lemmy still rocked harder than many people decades younger. Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee sound great, with each getting their time in the spotlight with extended solos.
The DVD/Blu-ray edition includes the concert along with a documentary. It has interviews with Lemmy, Campbell and Dee along with other musicians talking about Lemmy such as Girlschool and Biff Byford (Saxon).
Motorhead have always been known for their potent (and extremely loud) live shows, and they released more than a dozen live albums over the years. Their first live album was 1981‘s classic No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith. Nearly 35 years later, five songs from that album were also included on Clean Your Clock, showing the staying power of those classic songs and of Motorhead themselves.
A Motorhead concert was always a joyous occasion, with fans leaving the venue energized and happy. And while there is a sense of sadness watching Clean Your Clock knowing that there won’t be any more Motorhead shows like this one, there is an even greater sense of joy and appreciation watching Lemmy and company do what they do best.
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