SCORPIONS
Unbreakable (Sanctuary)
MOTORHEAD
Inferno (Sanctuary)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Ladies and gents, presenting the 'eavy Me'ul battle of the millennium. Sludge metal gods of the seventies Motorhead open with an impressive fiery alien skull cover graphic, but glam metal gods of the seventies Scorpions counter impressively with a metallic, embossed cover. The Germans build on their early lead with an anthemic assault of slick pop metal full of wango tango guitars, cowbells and wind sound effects (nice). Fist-pumping, mullet banging stuff, punctuated by crystal axe solos for air guitar enthusiasts world-wide. Don't let the receding hairlines fool you, the Scorpions still have the moves. But here comes Lemmy, delivering the same album he's been cranking out since '77: a primal punk gouging metal beast that is beautiful in its ugliness. The effect of a fiery power trio format can never be underestimated, and Motorhead drive it right through the wall. The Scorpions stir up a nostalgic flashback, right up there with hurling on the front lawn, whilst Motorhead crank out the big rawk like they've just discovered the third chord.

© 2004 - John Sekerka