Motorhead Seriously Poor Magic is a concept that explores the relationship between the iconic heavy metal band Motorhead and the practice of magic. Motorhead, known for their high-energy, fast-paced music and rebellious attitude, seems like an unlikely fit for the world of magic, which is often associated with mysticism and the supernatural. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Motorhead's music and persona embody many elements of magic. Magic, in its essence, is about creating an illusion or altering reality. It is a form of entertainment that captivates and amazes audiences, transporting them to a different realm. Similarly, Motorhead's music creates a powerful and immersive experience for fans, transporting them to a world of raw energy and intensity.
Motörhead, the iconic Godfathers of heavy metal, released their 23rd (and final) studio album Bad Magic in 2015. Instantly hailed as one of the best the beloved trio had recorded in many years, Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic enjoys a bonus-packed refresh, adding two previously unreleased tracks from those furious sessions:
There was also one of Lemmy s rawest lyrical life reflections on Till The End , and a cover of The Rolling Stones Sympathy For The Devil which made the song feel like one of their own. At the time of its release back in 2015, Bad Magic arrived as a massive kick in the teeth for anyone who believed Motörhead were going to amble along into a peaceful little pasture containing fluffy little lambs, folk music and perhaps the odd medieval lute here and there.
Similarly, Motorhead's music creates a powerful and immersive experience for fans, transporting them to a world of raw energy and intensity. The band's abrasive sound, blistering guitar solos, and thundering basslines create a sonic landscape that is both invigorating and mesmerizing. Furthermore, Motorhead's frontman, Lemmy Kilmister, had a larger-than-life persona that was often described as magical.
ALBUM REVIEW: Motörhead – Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic
Reissues of albums are a funny thing especially in the modern age. If you bundle a track on the end you have to be certain that the audience cannot get it elsewhere. So what you end up needing to sell is something fresh and interesting by a well loved artist. Needless to say that MOTÖRHEAD meets this requirement. Their newest album entitled Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic brings a whole new album’s worth of live tracks, and new unreleased songs in addition to the original album.
The core part of the album starts strong with Victory Or Die before going through a solid display of what made MOTÖRHEAD legends. Fire Storm Hotel for instance is groovy, bluesy and distinctly hard rock. And it is here that I have to recognise that there’s no particular need to describe the music here. The original release was in 2015, it will have been played on national radio, in bars, clubs, at gigs, there’s been covers, probably used in soundtracks. A band like MOTÖRHEAD doesn’t drop an album that remains under the radar, the last album by a band like MOTÖRHEAD is circling the heaven’s unaware of even the concept of radar. You’re on a website dedicated to rock and metal. You know who MOTÖRHEAD are, you know they played Rock’n’Roll.
The main album ends on a cover of THE ROLLING STONES’ Sympathy for the Devil, which is fantastic. Lemmy’s voice relates the almost folk-like qualities of the lyrics in an incredibly apt way, like sitting in a pub while listening to the old boys in the corner spin their yarns. This is followed by a cover of DAVID BOWIES’s Heroes. The instrumentation here is largely spot on with it having almost the same feeling as the original but feeling slightly muted in its vocals. I have to say that a band like this saying that “could be heroes, just for one day” is incredibly touching in its modesty.
Then we have the two unreleased tracks Bullet In Your Brain and Greedy Bastards. The former is pretty standard MOTÖRHEAD fare, which isn’t to say bad but definitely feels like it could fit on to any of the band’s previous releases. The latter track however starts with a clip of Lemmy talking about politicians; particularly on how they don’t keep promises, and how they’re liars and a slightly more laid back intro. Lyrically this might be my favourite thing on this album.
“The way we treat the world we have is criminal and cruel, We steal the air we breathe and that ain’t cool, You really want to see your kids choking in the air, Greedy bastards, you don’t even care”
These words hit especially hard in the light of several notable politicians and parties backing out of agreements that would help the current climate crisis, and of course things like the tragedy that has just occurred in East Palestine, Ohio. I suppose this is a quality of a good sentiment, one that is capable of being alarmingly prescient.
The album’s second half is a live album from the performance at Fuji Rock Festival in 2015. The CD contains a number of the band’s greatest hits including The Chase Is Better Than The Catch, Ace Of Spades, We Are Motörhead, and Overkill. The rest are slightly deeper cuts that are pleasant to hear but are not especially obscure. This live recording, like so many of the one’s I’ve ended up reviewing here, has made me reconsider my former stance of “Not being a person who enjoys live albums”. Instead the band have driven the final nail into the coffin and I must say that whilst this isn’t the most clear recording in the world, it’s the most MOTÖRHEAD recording. It’s loud, everything louder than everything else. I didn’t get to see MOTÖRHEAD live, but having turned this up to full blast it’s hard to feel upset about that.
This is a great album and is definitely worth considering to buy even if you have already bought the original release. It hits all the right spots and would be a great introduction to the band for anyone who is looking to get into them.
Words: Jacob McCrone
Rating: 9/10
Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic will be out 24th February 2023.
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"We Are Motörhead"
"Damage Case"
"Stay Clean"
"Metropolis"
"Over The Top"
"String Theory"
"The Chase Is Better Than The Catch"
"Rock It"
"Lost Woman Blues"
"Doctor Rock"
"Just ‘Cos You Got The Power"
"Going To Brazil"
"Ace Of Spades"
"Overkill"
With his signature gravelly voice, mutton-chop sideburns, and extensive collection of tattoos, Lemmy commanded attention whenever he took the stage. He had a natural ability to captivate audiences, holding them under his spell throughout the duration of a performance. Moreover, Motorhead's lyrics often explore themes of rebellion, independence, and the pursuit of freedom. These themes are closely aligned with the concept of magic, as both involve breaking free from the constraints of society and embracing one's true self. Motorhead's music serves as a form of liberation, a means of escape from the mundane realities of everyday life. In many ways, Motorhead's music can be seen as a form of magic in itself. It possesses the power to transport listeners to a different emotional state, to help them forget their troubles and lose themselves in the music. It is this transformative quality that makes Motorhead's music so appealing to fans around the world. In conclusion, Motorhead Seriously Poor Magic is a concept that explores the connection between the iconic heavy metal band Motorhead and the practice of magic. Despite the seemingly contrasting nature of the two, Motorhead's music and persona embody many elements of magic, creating a transformative and captivating experience for fans. The band's ability to transport listeners to a different emotional state and their themes of rebellion and independence align closely with the concept of magic. Motorhead's music can be seen as a form of liberation, a means of escape from the constraints of reality..
Reviews for "Unraveling Motorhead's Serious Poor Magic: The Science Behind the Failures"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to try "Motorhead seriously poor magic" as I have always been a fan of the band Motorhead. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. The tricks were basic and poorly executed, lacking any sort of wow factor. The instructions were also confusing and poorly explained, making it difficult to perform the tricks properly. Overall, I found the experience to be underwhelming and not worth the money.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I purchased "Motorhead seriously poor magic" with high expectations, but it turned out to be a complete waste of money. The tricks were not only poorly planned and performed, but they were also outdated and unoriginal. I felt like I was watching a beginner's magic show at a local fair rather than a professional product. The whole experience left me feeling disappointed and regretful for spending my hard-earned money on such a lackluster product.
3. Mark - 2 stars - As a long-time magic enthusiast, I was intrigued by the idea of "Motorhead seriously poor magic." However, I found most of the tricks to be easily decipherable and lacking in creativity. It felt like the performers were simply going through the motions without putting any real effort into their acts. The set design and props were also shoddy and cheap-looking, further detracting from the overall experience. Overall, I was left uninspired and unsatisfied with this magic set.