Motörhead - Stage Fright 2dvd (Steamhammer/SPC)
I loved their 25th anniversary dvd, "25 & Alive : Boneshaker", and this is another nicely packaged Motörhead release. The extras on disc 2 aren't as exciting as the previous dvd, Lemmy & Co. seem pretty tired and uninspired in the interviews. There's many segments from the road crew who's telling a lot of stories of life on the road with Motörhead. Apparently Lemmy plays bass through a Marshall guitar amp, and its always turned up to 12, one louder than Spinal Tap, haha. The funniest tale is the one of the disasterous Athens Open Air Festival which took place on a rocky beach where tide was coming in among the audience and people were rioting and throwing rocks at everything. All the bands had cancelled expect for Motörhead, the promoter had taken the money and fled. Lemmy then calmed down the furious concert goers by telling them where the promoter lived. After the show they found his house and tore it down, brick by brick! Disc 1 is the reason fans should invest in this dvd. The 95 minute gig was recorded in Düsseldorf in December, 2004, and shows Lemmy, Phil and Mikkey at the top of their game. The sound is outrageously good, Lemmy's voice is gruff but clear and the band's performance is inspired, loud and rockin'. The production of filming the show is extremely professional, there's like 42 cameras rigged all over in the Phillipshalle, capturing the band from every angle. "We are Motorhead! We play rock n' roll!" are the first words uttered from the big guy. The set list is a nearly perfect selection of their vast catalogue; "Over The Top", "No Class", Ramones", "Overkill", "Ace Of Spades", "Iron Fist", "Killers" etc. What? No "Bomber"?!? The trio also does a neat acoustic version of "Whore House Blues". Disc 1 also includes commentary tracks from the guys on the gig, a mixed bag, but they sure know how to take the piss out of each other. "Stage Fright" is highly recommended for fans and rookies, I know I'll see it on December 24th when Lemmy turns 60.

Jens