ALBUMS

Phil Campbell

Old Lions Still Roar Nuclear Blast

Life after Lem sees the guitarist’s mane event realised with a star-studded solo album.

In 1984, when Phil Campbell joined fellow unknown Würzel to realise Lemmy’s vision of fronting the post-Robbo Motörhead with twin guitars, he never could’ve dreamed he’d continue playing with our most untouchable band for the next 30-plus years. Or making such a towering solo album debut.

After Lemmy’s 2015 death ended Motörhead, Campbell could’ve gone two routes; selling a lucrative Marky Ramonestyle tribute band or striking out under his own name. Thankfully, out of respect and appreciating the impossibility of even tickling Lem’s colossal cowboy bootprint, Campbell chose the latter, fulfilling his old boss’s repeated affirmation he had a great solo album in him.

First he kept it in the family with last year’s energised The Age Of Absurdity, credited to Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons as it boasted his offspring Todd on guitar, bassist Tyla and drummer Dane.

, which could be referring to himself or even Lemmy, is more polished, diverse and personal, calling up heavy friends in his contacts to join his sons, including Rob Halford,.