Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – We’re the Bastards (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 53:24 minutes | 743 MB | Genre: Hard Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Nuclear Blast

After Lemmy Kilmister passed away, Phil Campbell easily could have laid down his guitar after 32 years with Motörhead and got a bit of rest. Instead, he chose to carry on the legacy with his three sons: Todd (guitar), Tyla (bass) and Dane (drums). The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The singer Neil Starr (from the band Attack! Attack! and a long-standing friend of the three offspring) is the only one to not share any of the Campbell’s DNA. Literally, that is. Musically, it’s obvious that the five musicians are all on the same wavelength. Less sweet-talking than Motörhead (Starr’s voice is a lot more melodic than Lemmy’s fiery tone), the Bastard Sons and their old man don’t go for subtleties. The anxiety-inducing opening songs We’re the Bastards and Son of a Gun set the tone right from the off with fast-paced hard rock and predictable yet strong melodies that get your foot tapping. Despite being a Welsh group, the vocals have a surprisingly American twang and the intros of Born to Roam and Desert Song are reminiscent of Aerosmith! However, they soon return to what they know on Animals where the driving riff and bassline sound like Motörhead. The album flits between nods to their old leader and the new group’s own identity. Probably due to the fact that he’s surrounded by youngsters, Campbell has gone for a wisely chosen tracklist here. Nothing sounds outdated. Dane Søren Andersen’s slick production (Mike Tramp’s accomplice) anchors We’re the Bastards well in its time. In contrast to a lot of ex-cult musicians, Phil seems determined to never become a “has-been” or tarnish his own legend. In fact, this album just goes to show that he’s decisively a “still is”. – Charlélie Arnaud
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Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – Kings Of The Asylum (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 43:06 minutes | 550 MB | Genre: Rock, Hard Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Nuclear Blast

Originally formed as a side project towards the last couple of years of Motörhead by Phil Campbell, the former Motörhead guitarist of 32 years, the band decided to take it up a level and revealed the new name of Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons at Wacken Open Air 2016. Shortly after the band announced to the world the recruitment of new powerhouse lead singer Joel Peters in January 2022, the group entered their studio at Stompbox Studios, South Wales, UK and began writing and recording ‘Kings of the Asylum’ at the beginning of 2022. After putting the songwriting groundwork in throughout the Spring, the bastards then entered their busiest festival season to date including performances at major festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting and many more throughout the summer of 2023. After the busy festival season the band then had time to reconvene to put the finishing touches on the 2023 album. Phil Campbell commented, ‘It’s been a great experience writing this album alongside Joel and the rest of my lads. We’ve come up with some monstrous riffs and hooks for your listening pleasure.

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