This is the final album to feature Motörhead’s classic and best line up . It’s well documented that Eddie hated the recording sessions for this album, as he thought they were being rushed and his opinions were not being heard, he ultimately quit the band to form Fastway.
Iron Fist is often regarded as the worst of those classic albums, but I am here to tell you it’s not as bad as you think, even though the production is a bit flat. The title track opens up the album in fine style, it’s a classic Motörhead romp that only they could do. I’ve always liked Heart Of Stone because it’s a tune with a very simple riff, as are most Motörhead tracks, the track also has Phil’s trademark double kicks and one of those ear worm hooks. I’m Your Doctor is one of the tracks Eddie didn’t like as he thought it was too throwaway, he does have a point as it’s the weakest song. Go To Hell has a really cool riff and progression, a classic Head tune. I’m A Loser almost feels like a pop tune, at least at the intro and the chorus. Side 1 closes out with Sex & Outrage, a full on pedal to the metal Motortune.
America opens up Side 2 and has a very mid-seventies riff and heavy blues groove, a bit like Capricorn from Overkill. Shut It Down has a classic Eddie riff and that groove only the gruesome threesome could do. Great track!!! A song about themselves is next with Speedfreak, it’s definitely my favourite track. A killer Eddie riff and the trademark Motörhead groove, this track could have graced any of the classic albums. Boy do I miss these guys! Don’t Let Em Grind Ya Down starts with Phil playing a very un-Phil-like busy beat and groove, adding a bit of spice to proceedings. Lemmy always used to introduce the band by saying “we are Motörhead and we play rock n’ roll.” Well, the intro riff to Don’t Need Religion is pure rock n’ roll, and I would say it’s a bit close to Johnny Kidd and The Pirates. The album closes with Bang To Rights, a trademark Motörhead blast through three and a half minutes of your life driven by a great Eddie riff.
I’ll admit if I want to listen to Motörhead my go to’s are usually Overkill and Another Perfect Day, but I really enjoyed listening to this for the first time in a long while.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
