Little Villains - 2020 - Achtung Minen!

(52:50; Spira Records)

Track list:
1. There Ain't No Cider on the Rider (2:30)
2. Doodlebug (2:38)
3. Hand Grenade (2:23)
4. Napalm Rising (3:13)
5. Jitter Juice (3:08)
6. Feelin' Alrite (3:52)
7. Bombardier (3:40)
8. Bullet Belt (2:51)
9. Hawker Hurricane (2:05)
10. Big Ben (3:21)
11. Motherhead (4:08)
12. Chopper (3:21)
13. Shot in the Head and Left for Dead (3:00)
14. Achtung Minen (4:36)
15. On the Fields of Cleckhuddersfax (8:04)

Line-up:
James Childs - vocals, bass
Owen Childs - guitars, vocals
Chris Fielden - drums, vocals


US based band Little Villains was formed back in 2005 by Phil Taylor and James Childs, and while they didn't manage to release any material prior to Taylor's passing in 2015 two albums featuring his contributions appeared in 2019 and 2020 respectively. "Acthung Minen!" is the third studio production by Little Villains, and was released in 2020 through the label Spira Records. It is also the band's first album that doesn't feature any contributions from the late Phil Taylor.

Describing this album without referencing good old Motorhead would have been just about impossible, and the fact that the late Taylor has a history with this band obviously makes this an obligatory reference in the first place. But the brand of hard rock explored on this production feature some key similarities with Motorhead in general and the early history of that band in particular, so that referencing them thus becomes unavoidable anyhow. That being said, this isn't a band out to explore a style of music exactly in the same vein either, hence Motorhead fans looking for other artists exploring the same landscapes won't find exactly what they are looking for here.

The key similar features are firstly short and tight hard rock cuts that reference back to 50's era rock n roll for the key elements but explore them inside a hard rock context. On a couple of occasions Little Villains will have a go at this style of hard rock in a dark and grimy manner comparable to Motorhead, but ultimately lacking the grit and the grimy and dirty sound that made Motorhead the success they became. More often than not Little Villains explore a related variety of the style though, using similar elements but in a more refined and reigned in manner, and with a smoother and more polished sound. Classic 70's hard rock if you like, with cues and nods cast back a further 20 years.

On a secondary note, many of the songs here of the type described above as well as some of the cuts with more of an early 80's hard rock feel to them as well as those with a bit more of a punk rock tinge to them feature a booming bass guitar as a driving element, and on some occasions the band will hit a sharp and energetic bass guitar and guitar solo combination that many fans of Motorhead will find familiar, also in many songs that otherwise stay well away from any other references to Motorhead.

We do get a handful of songs or so where Little Villains stick closer to a more generic 70's and early 80's hard rock vibe too, with the bass guitar toned down alongside the guitars, and the songs having a tighter, more polished sheen to them altogether. We also get a charming little affair that incorporate a more US centric indie rock sound akin to R.E.M., and on a more massive left turn we have the whimsical, tongue in cheek spoken words dominated concluding track 'On the Fields of Cleckhuddersfax', which is my personal highlight of this production. I suspect most metal fans with a taste for good and bad humor alike will chuckle through this one each and every time they listen to it.

This is a tight and well made album of the kind that should appeal to those with a general taste for late 70's and early 80's hard rock, and those among them who know and love their Motorhead will get some additional ear candy to enjoy in the details department that they will recognize and appreciate. Perhaps not the most significant production from the year 2020, but a charming production for sure - for the right audience.


Olav M. Björnsen, September 2020

Links:
https://www.thelittlevillains.com/