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WHITESPADE
"Whitespade" (Iron Grip Metal
LLC; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Let's get this straight right from the beginning: Apparently, Whitespade is Midnight, one of the best metal bands out there. I've seen them live (one of the best live performances ever) and I've loved their music (see my reviews here). So why is this self-titled album called "Whitespade?" Because Midnight, the band, decided to do a full album tribute to the legendary Motorhead, and decided to give themselves a new name while they did it.
Okay. I get it. But what makes this Motorhead tribute different than any other Motorhead tribute out there? "Whitespade" isn't just a collection of various Motorhead cover versions. Instead, it's ten original tracks written, performed and recorded in the Motorhead style.
And it kicks fucking ass.
Every single track on "Whitespade" sounds like it could have come from a Motorhead album. In fact, if the inimitable Lemmy were singing on these tracks, you'd be hard-pressed to tell this wasn't a Motorhead album. It's got the driving rhythms, the singular energy, the gritty feel that Motorhead ruled the world with right up until Lemmy's death in 2015. (And, by the way, the vocalist here is pretty freaking great, too).
There's been a mammoth void in the music world since Lemmy (and, subsequently, Motorhead) died. Midnight has already been one of the band's filling that void with their raging recordings and live shows and "Whitespade" just bumped them up another notch in the heavy metal hierarchy.
For more information, check out https://midnight-ohio.bandcamp.com/album/whitespade.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2022 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
