Numerous covers Motorhead occasionally recorded in a period between 1992 and 2015 (after the death of Ian Lemmy Kilmister which kind of represented the death of Motorhead as well) are finally finding their place on official studio release. The band was keen to doing covers even before 1992 (Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers, Louie Louie or The Train Kept A-Rollin), but that period was not included on this release because it would not fit from the point of production nor style.
Under Cover united material of 11 covers Motorhead fans are already familiar with. It is decent idea to present of all major punk, rock and metal covers the band has done, but the problem is that there is nothing about Motorhead here. If they were any good, they would find their place on regular releases, evil tongues would say. And there is some truth to it. Nugent's Cat Scratch Fever, God Save the Queen by Sex Pistols and Hellraiser by Ozzy Osbourne turn out to be the most convincing segments of the album. The first one fits on 1992 album March or Die, the second one on We Are Motorhead from 2000, while the third one is sort of not a cover but a Motorhead song already since Lemmy was co-author. The song was recorded for Ozzie's 1991 album No More Tears, while it also found its place on Motorhead's March or Die.
Another standout is cover of Bowie's Heroes recorded during Motorhead's Bad Magic in 2015, but it didn't see the light of the day until Under Cover. From today's perspective, in a world without Lemmy and Bowie, the performance kicks right in the heart. If it wasn't Bowie's, it could easily pass as original Motorhead piece. That's how convincing it is. I think it could have been placed on Overnight Sensations. Jumpin Jack Flash was and still is a marvelous bonus on Bastards, especially after refreshing and brilliant closing track Devils. Similar applies to Sympathy for The Devil, the only difference is that it represented the best number on mediocre Bad Magic.
The unnecessary and non-motorhead part starts with Breaking the Law of Judas Christ, and it culminates with Starstruck by Rainbow. Irritating vocal of Biff Byford is a sacrilege compared to original interpretation of Ronnie James Dio. Rockaway Beach suits only Ramons, while Shoot 'em Down by Twisted Sisters is tedious version of already hackneyed party song. The album closes with Metallica's Whiplash which helped Motorhead fetch Grammy award back in 2005 (Best Metal Performance).
These eleven songs are not everything. Motorhead has many more covers, so I really hope Under Cover 2 will sound more enticing and coherent, If it ever comes out
