"Iron Fist" was the fifth album by Motörhead the last featuring the classic lineup of Lemmy, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Philthy Phil Taylor.
All metalheads are familiar with Motörhead, so it's hard to describe anything by Motörhead as a forgotten classic. But, the catalogue is so deep that some albums and classic tunes are sure to get overlooked. While maybe not the definitive Motörhead release, it does have some fine moments that have passed on to obscurity.
"Iron Fist" - the title track- does grace several of the many Motörhead compilations that are on the market, but the rest of this CD is pretty much overlooked.
"Loser" is a tremendous blues song with astounding riffs by Fast Eddie. Lemmy, now a sex legend as well, thanks to his autobiography and bragging, growls: "I'm a loser, I'm a loser/ that's what they said, that's what they said/ now I've got their women sleeping in my bed/ buy me a drink and wish I was dead." Pure Lemmy lyrics. That is the suave dirtiness that defines Motörhead. Fast and loose and proud of it.
"Don't Let Them Grind Ya Down" is another forgotten nugget. "Some of a bitches croccadile tears in their eyes/ you scare them shitless just by showing up alive." Motörhead always goes for the balls.
"Iron Fist" did help build the signature style of Motörhead — fast and reckless without any apologies. It's punk and metal combined and this album has more blues than most Motörhead releases. Notably, this was Fast Eddie's last release before leaving to form Fastway with Pete Way of UFO.
Most Motörhead albums sound similar because of Lemmy's distinctive vocals, but this one is just a little bit different. Not the best Motörhead CD, but maybe the most underrated. This is one to pick up when you tire of the Motörhead comps, if it's possible to tire of Motorhead's signature classics.
- "Iron Fist" – 2:55
- "Heart of Stone" – 3:04
- "I'm the Doctor" – 2:43
- "Go to Hell" – 3:10
- "Loser" – 3:57
- "Sex & Outrage" – 2:10
- "America" – 3:38
- "Shut it Down" – 2:41
- "Speedfreak" – 3:28
- "(Don't Let 'em) Grind You Down" – 3:08
- "(Don't Need) Religion" – 2:43
- "Bang to Rights" – 2:43
