Motörhead
Stage Fright (SPV)
by Ewan Wadharmi
If you’ve not yet realized that Spinal Tap was lampooning Motörhead, this footage will provide the damning evidence. Britain’s loudest three-piece has never been filmed with such clean sound. The light show is over-the-top seizure-inducing cheese. (It triggered a migraine for me. I’d complain, but it’s not the first time I’d lost a day’s work due to Motörhead.) For once, the editor has rhythm and musical style. Though, typically, the 20 or so camera angles are complete overkill. The Beavis & Butthead-style commentary is misguided, however. Several minutes of silence go by as we watch the boys watching themselves. They seem to forget who they’re watching as they tear apart their performance. The German fans aren’t nearly as critical as the band, lauding the top-of-form show. All your favorites are here, from “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.’ and “Iron Fist,” to “Ace of Spades.” The bonus disc is festooned with interesting interviews, hilarious roadie stories, and Motörhead’s backstage rider, assuming you wish to hire them (and can find them). Stage Fright is a great package, and all around satisfying unless you suffer from epilepsy.
