There’s something appropriately ominous and electric about releasing a punk-tribute to Motörhead on Halloween. With the 50th-anniversary of the band’s formation still striking a chord, Killed By Deaf delivers a hard-hitting, but overall respectful nod to Lemmy Kilmister and the exhilarating blur between punk and metal. The initial announcement alone made clear that this project leans into Motörhead’s punk ethos.
From the outset, the album stakes its claim: punk bands covering Motörhead songs, yes, but let me tell you it’s done with conviction. The late Lemmy himself once observed that “The punks loved us… A lot of kids heard us without seeing a picture, so they thought we were a punk band.” This is almost a celebration of Motörhead’s raw, crossover spirit. The selection of bands, names like Rancid, Pennywise, GBH, FEAR, The Bronx, underscores that punk rock’s heart is beating through this tribute.
What emerges is a record that feels like it pays homage to the great tracks but also feels revitalised. It doesn’t just re-record Motörhead tracks note for note; instead it lets punk’s urgency, speed and bite come through. For instance, Rancid’s take on “Sex & Death” is described by guitarist/vocalist Lars Frederiksen as “the most Rancid-style song that Motörhead did… close enough to like a song we would write.”
The opener Pennywise tackling “Ace Of Spades” is audacious. It’s arguably Motörhead’s most iconic tune, and Pennywise take it head-on. As mentioned above Rancid’s “Sex & Death” stands out. It’s sharp, energetic, and mindful of the original while still stamping their identity. The closer of the whole record is a special moment. It’s a previously unreleased recording of Motörhead & The Damned performing “Neat, Neat, Neat”. This is a track I’m sure a lot of listeners will be running to first. Mid-album the likes of GBH “Bomber”, Murphy’s Law “Stay Clean”, Slaughterhouse “Love Me Like A Reptile” keep a constant momentum. There’s really no weak links here, just different flavours of the punk/Motörhead hybrid.
Dropping this on Halloween adds a little theatrical flair too of course. The album succeeds in bridging old-school metal and punk rock terrains, reminding us that Motörhead weren’t simply “metal,” they were allied with the punk attitude of “make it loud, raw and unapologetic.” For long-time fans, it’s a way to revisit familiar songs through a fresh lens. For punk fans, it’s an acknowledgement of how good this band are. And for newcomers, it may serve as a vivid portal into a band whose ferocity transcended genre labels.
Killed By Deaf – A Punk Tribute To Motörhead doesn’t feel like gimmick; instead it feels like a fitting, spirited homage. It acknowledges Motörhead’s legacy without being reverential to the point of sterility. The band choices, the song selections, the production seem aligned with the same restless energy that defined Motörhead’s career. Sure, every track won’t hit you the same, but the low points are still above average for what you usually get from a tribute project.
TRACKLISTING
Pennywise – Ace Of Spades
Rancid – Sex & Death
The Bronx – Over The Top
Lagwagon – Rock ‘N’ Roll
FEAR – The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
GBH – Bomber
Murphy’s Law – Stay Clean
Slaughterhouse – Love Me Like A Reptile
The Casualties – The Hammer
Anti-Nowhere League – Born To Raise Hell
Love Canal – Voices In The Sky
Soldiers Of Destruction – Overkill
Wisdom In Chains – Iron Fist
Motӧrhead & The Damned – Neat, Neat, Neat
PREORDERS HERE – motorhead.lnk.to/killedbydeaf
”Killed By Deaf” is awarded a well desevered 7.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography