PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS
PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS - “Kings Of The Asylum”
By Iron Sheik
I was not expecting what I would hear upon pushing the play button starting “Kings Of The Asylum” by PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS, but, as a result, my jaw hit the floor from what I was hearing. Rage, intensity, excellent lyrics, a forward propulsion of heaviness, clean vocals, and great playing. Phil shows proof of life after the demise of MOTÖRHEAD.
Phil Campbell cut his chops in MOTÖRHEAD over the course of forty years, joining in 1984 and replacing Fast Eddie Clarke. Phil's first studio album with MOTÖRHEAD is “Orgasmatron” from 1986. He went on to play on a total of sixteen studio albums and countless live albums until Lemmy passed (RIP). Within a year Phil formed his new band: PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS with three of his sons.
The band is comprised of Phil's sons: Todd Campbell (guitar), Tyla Campbell (bass), and Dane Campbell (drums). Rounding out the band is, obviously, Phil Campbell (guitar) and Joel Peters (lead vocals). This is Joel's first album with the band since replacing Neil Star in 2021.
Armed with their new lead singer, they dropped their second studio album: “Kings Of The Asylum”. It is a raging rocker with a touch of a swagger here and there. This album proves Phil has the heavy, the swagger, the groove, and desire to play heavy metal after the demise of MOTÖRHEAD. Also, it further proves he has a kickass chemistry with his three sons.
With a lead singer who sings with a touch of ANTHRAX's Joey Belladonna, music with touches of AC/DC, and of course MOTÖRHEAD, it takes comparisons to a new level. “Hammer And Dance”, “Strike The Match”, “Ghosts”, and “Maniac” are my picks as the standouts on the album. My only complaint is they didn't put “Strike The Match” as track one. "Starting the fire" and "Burn it down" sums up this album and would have been a perfect opener. "I'm sick of your game, you're a monster." Monster ends it well leaving me wanting more. What a great way to close the album! Forty-six minutes is not enough. More, pleeease?
That forty-six minutes flew by too fast. What a tour of their Asylum. A great album and contender for being my favorite release of 2023. An unrelenting album with great music and great lyrics. Close to MOTÖRHEAD, but not MOTÖRHEAD (R.I.P. Lemmy). This album deserves to make these guys well known. Gently picks up a bruised and battered jaw from the floor after a great beating.