Sacrifice

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineMetal bands are supposed to lose their energy and power as they age, but Motörhead stubbornly refused to obey that rule, maintaining their string of tough, enjoyable albums into the mid-'90s. Sacrifice, the group's 1995 effort, doesn't offer anything new, nor does it display a newfound subtlety. It's just straight-ahead, breakneck fast, ear-shatteringly loud Motörhead, with buzzing guitars, near-martial rhythms, and surprisingly catchy hooks. There are a few weak moments scattered throughout the record, but on the whole it's a thoroughly engaging and entertaining record from one of the most consistent metal bands in history.