### Motörhead: March or die

#### 12/11/10 || InquisitorGeneralis

“March or Die” is definitely a hidden gem in Motörhead’s expansive discography. In the endless discussions ov aeternal Motörhead nitpicking that occur here and here it is often overlooked in favor of records like “Bastards”, “Rock and Roll”, “Ace of Spades”, and “Iron Fist”. While I would not rate 1992’s “Manjuice in the eye” as a top tier Motörhead classic, it certainly can be appreciate by diehard and casual fans of the band. While surfing Teh Internet I have read alot of hate for this record. Sure, it was made during a turbulent period for the band that saw three different drummers on one. While current skinsman Mikkey Dee only plays on “Hellraiser”, journeyman and whiteboy-afro champ Tommy Aldridge does a decent job on most of the tracks on “March or Die”. The Philty Animal got the boot early on making this record for being too fucken sloppy. That is a shame because he was an essential part of the band’s prior success. However, the reason for Motörhead’s still ongoing success is the trio of Lemmy, Phil Campbell, and Dee that formed as a result of this record.

For Motörhead, this is a slower album with most of the songs in style of “One track mind” and “Metropolis”. “Jack the ripper” is one of my favorite Motörhead tracks and deserves to mentioned along with the big boys like “Overkill”, “Ace of spades”, and “Love me like a reptile”. Besides the great lyrics about, you guessed it, Jack the Ripper the song features an incredible breakdown/slow section. The blood gets flowing to my dick every time I hear…

Cold steel, whisper in the night He’ll be at your side, with a smile and a knife It’s seems like dreaming, moving in the dance The last embrace you’ll ever know, The violence of romance

Even the ballad “I ain’t no nice guy” is enjoyable. What more do I need to say? The fact that “I ain’t no nice guy” is quality is no surprise seeing as Lemmy wrote Ozzy’s hit “Momma I’m coming home”. Many people say this song sucks. Many people also can go fuck themselves. Something about two burnt-out Brits lamenting their lives strikes a chord with me. I believe Lemmy and Ozzy when they say they are not nice. I would not trust either of them to hold my place in line to use the shitter, let alone enter into a serious relationship. “Bad religion” is another solid song done in the slower, heavier style. The more up-tempo “Stand”, “Asylum choir”, and the bluesy “You better run” are also quality songs. I will admit the cover of “Cat scratch fever” is terrible and should have been ice immediately during editing.

While “March or Die” is not a classic album or an absolute Motörhead “must have” it is a damn fine release that deserves more attention than it receives. I have never heard Lemmy and Co. play a song from here live. “Jack the ripper” or “Bad religion” live would rule. But, with 10,000 songs to choose from and a brain totally friend on whiskey and coke I am sure it is tough for Mr. K to cover (or remember) all of his material. I am sure the Motörmaniacs out there (and on our forums) will have lots to say about why they hate “March or Die”: the production is organically unnatural or the songwriting is not up to Motörhead’s established epic standards. I don’t give a fuck. I have always liked “March or Die” and still go back to it even though my metal tastes and desires have changed drastically over the years.

Not Motörhead’s best, but certainly not the worse.

- Information
- Released: 1992
- Label: Epic
- Website: www.imotorhead.com
- Band
- Lemmy “The douche from Disturbed hates me” Kilmeiester: vocals, bass
- Phil “I’m still in the band” Campbell: guitar
- Mick “I’m not still in the band” Burston: guitar
- Tommy “Bro with the fro” Aldrige: drums
- Phil “They kicked my ass out” Taylor: drums on “I ain’t no nice guy”
- Mikkey “I’m a reality star in Sweden” Dee: drums on “Hellraiser”
- Ozzy “I’m married to Satan” Osbourne: guest vocals on “I ain’t no nice guy”
- Slash “Velvet Snakepit Roses” McGee: guest guitar solo on “ I ain’t no nice guy”

- Tracklist
- 01. Stand
- 02. Cat Scratch Fever (Ted Nugent cover)
- 03. Bad Religion
- 04. Jack the Ripper
- 05. I Ain’t No Nice Guy
- 06. Hellraiser
- 07. Asylum Choir
- 08. Too Good to Be True
- 09. You Better Run
- 10. Name in Vain
- 11. March or Die