It's been quite a year for Phil Campbell, the man who defined his life for the last few decades died, he started a new band, and now less than a year after the end of Motorhead the man has started a band with his sons. I guess it proves that some people can't stop creating badass riffs. Best of all – rather than being cringey Motorhead derivative drivel, Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons explore a very different side of rock and roll.
Sure a lot of the classic elements are there. There's swagger, lots of vibrato and groovy riffs but the speed metal stylings of Motorhead have been given over to the more hard rock centric sounds of this band. I'd also like to point out – in the grand tradition of groups like Hatriot, Phil Cambpell's sons are incredibly talented. Their guitar tone is on point and they seem to understand the rock and roll tradition as well as anyone. Meanwhile, vocalist Neil Starr, the only member of the band who isn't a Campbell fucking destroys, his trademark wail dancing all over the album.
This is classic good times rock and roll and given the year that we've all had it certainly seems like the kind of thing that we are going to want to dig in to. Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons is an exciting reminder that rock and roll is still rock and roll and no matter what happens the sound of glorious rebellion will keep us all freaking out for years to come.
Score: 8/10
