Motorhead Inferno CD

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Motörhead: Lemmy Kilmister (vocals, guitar); Phil Campbell (guitar, background vocals); Mikkey Dee (drums).
Additional personnel: Steve Vai (guitar).
Like AC/DC, Motörhead rarely stray from their niche, crafting reliable records from a punk metal template that began in 1977 with their self-titled debut. Inferno is no exception, as the sum of its parts does little to deviate from the formula. Opening with the blistering "Terminal Show" -- marking the first of two appearances by guitar legend Steve Vai -- Lemmy, Philip, and Mikkey burn through 12 raucous blues-rock fist-pumpers with the energy of a trio of wily twentysomethings. Lemmy's gruff vocal style is ageless; as "f*ck you" now as it was on "Ace of Spades." All of the classic Motörhead themes are present; there's sticking-it-to-the-man ("Life's a Bitch"), murder and death ("Smiling Like a Killer"), and sex (the surprise back porch acoustic jam "Whorehouse Blues"). For a band as seasoned as Motörhead, churning out the same record over and over again isn't that big of a deal, as their skillful execution is more than equal to the material, but it would be cool to introduce a dark horse now and then. Inferno won't win over any new fans, but the group's legions of supporters will happily pick out their four or five favorite tracks and wait for the next installment. ~ James Christopher Monger
The more things change, the more Lemmy stays the same. He is a pillar of stability in the wobbly world of metal, where bands and trends come and go. Almost every Motorhead album sounds like the last, albeit with a couple new twists thrown in. And that's not a bad thing. Indeed, this 2004 platter serves up the expected blend of thrashers, mid-tempo grinders, and amped-up, old-time rock & roll, but INFERNO feels like the group's spark has been rekindled.
The most obvious infusion of energy comes from guest guitarist Steve Vai, who whips out his signature shredding technique on the thundering, rapid fire "Terminal Show" and the sludgy "Down on Me." To Vai's credit, the legendary axeman adapts to Motorhead's style instead of showboating. Other surprises surface--the melodic guitar leads of "Keys to the Kingdom" set over a bed of strings without bass or drums, and the acoustic blues ditty with harmonica ("Whorehouse Blues") that brings INFERNO to a refreshingly low-key finish. The longest running line-up in Motorhead's history proves that old dogs may not always learn new tricks, but they can reinvent the old ones just fine.Rolling Stone (p.126) - 3 stars out of 5 - "INFERNO blazes ahead with the same full-bodied attack as on their early classics..."
Spin (p.108) - "12 remorseless slabs of punk-metal blues..." - Grade: B+
Alternative Press (p.132) - 4 out of 5 - "[P]ut it up against any screamo, hardcore or nu-metal...and the dividing line between the men and the boys comes into sharp focus."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.88) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[With] Lemmy's ever present rasp of defiance arriving over a collection of decent, sometimes very decent, rock'n'roll. There are tinges of the blues here, of punk and of metal..."