Two decades after its original release, Motörhead are shining a spotlight on one of the strongest entries from their later catalog. The legendary hard rock trio have announced a 20th Anniversary Edition of Kiss of Death, arriving as an expanded double LP and 2CD set packed with remastered audio, bonus material, and a previously unreleased live concert recording from the band’s 2007 appearance at the Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands.
Originally released in 2006, Kiss of Death marked Motörhead’s 18th studio album and continued the blistering momentum established by 2004’s Inferno. Featuring the classic lineup of Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Campbell, and Mikkey Dee, the album delivered exactly what fans expected from the band: loud riffs, uncompromising attitude, and a relentless mix of heavy metal, hard rock, and speed-fueled swagger.
The record produced fan favorites including “Trigger,” “Sucker,” and the enduring “God Was Never on Your Side,” one of the most emotionally resonant songs in Motörhead’s extensive catalog. To mark the anniversary, the band has released a brand-new lyric video for the track, giving longtime fans another reason to revisit one of Lemmy’s most reflective and powerful performances.
The anniversary package also serves as a tribute to guitarist Phil Campbell, whose contributions helped define Motörhead’s sound for more than three decades. Newly commissioned liner notes by Classic Rock writer Dave Ling reflect on Campbell’s legacy and the enduring impact of the album within the band’s catalog.
For collectors and diehard fans, the centerpiece of the release may be the bonus live recording captured during Motörhead’s appearance at Lowlands Festival in 2007. The performance features explosive renditions of classics including “Stay Clean,” “Metropolis,” “Killed By Death,” and the immortal “Ace of Spades.” While portions of the concert have circulated among fans over the years, this marks the first official vinyl release of the full performance.
The remastered edition was cut using half-speed mastering techniques from the original tapes, a process designed to deliver greater clarity, depth, and dynamic range. The CD version also expands the original album with bonus recordings including the 2006 version of “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.,” a cover of Metallica’s “Whiplash,” and a live rendition of “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.”
Few bands in rock history maintained the consistency and authenticity that Motörhead displayed across four decades. While Ace of Spades remains their defining commercial breakthrough, albums like Kiss of Death demonstrated that Lemmy and company never lost their edge. Twenty years later, the record stands as a testament to a band that refused to compromise, delivering hard-hitting music on its own terms until the very end.
With the addition of rare live recordings, remastered audio, and archival material, the Kiss of Death 20th Anniversary Edition offers both longtime fans and newer listeners an opportunity to revisit a pivotal chapter in Motörhead’s legendary career.
Featured image credit: Robert John
