Top tracks — play these first
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Killed by Death — The title track exemplifies Motörhead's aggressive style with a pounding rhythm and iconic guitar riffs, making it a staple in their live performances.
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Under the Knife — This track delves into darker themes with intricate solos that showcase the band’s technical prowess while maintaining their hard-hitting sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This single showcases Motörhead's signature sound with strong riffs and gritty vocals, solidifying its place in hard rock.
What we noticed
- The title track features a driving tempo with aggressive guitar riffs that dominate the mix, while the vocals are delivered with a raw, gritty edge.
- The second track, 'Under the Knife', shifts to a slightly slower pace but maintains the heavy instrumentation and vocal intensity.
- Both tracks have a straightforward structure, relying on repetitive hooks and choruses that emphasize their anthemic quality.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This single is significant for its impact on the speed metal genre and fan reception.
- Themes
- heavy metal rebellion· mortality and defiance· gritty urban landscapes
- Career context
- Released in 1984, Killed by Death was a notable addition to Motörhead’s discography, following their successful album Another Perfect Day. This EP came at a time when the band was solidifying its place in the heavy metal scene amidst lineup changes and increasing mainstream recognition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Judas Priest· Iron Maiden· AC/DC
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Killed by Death 3:50
- 2 Under the Knife 3:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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