Without a doubt, upon approaching Max-Schmeling-Halle, one could sense a Rock’n’Roll party breaking out. Smashed beer bottles and empty whiskey shots skidded across the concrete as people in black leather jackets with metal-band patches huddled together to get into the show.

Sunday the 16th belonged to one band and one band only, Motörhead. However, in good old Rock’n’Roll fashion, the party got started early with the help of German hard-rockers Skew Siskin, and England’s legendary punkers, The Damned.

The audience was similar to the one Black Sabbath had earlier this summer, when Soundgarden opened up for them. Soundgarden fought a tough up-hill battle to win over Sabbath’s fans. I felt the same vibe applied as The Damned played. Crowd noise did increase as the band played their classic songs, “New Rose,” “Neat, Neat, Neat,” and “Smash It Up (Part 2),” all in a row to close out the set.

Then, Motörhead took the stage and the place erupted. Before even playing their first song, Lemmy shouted, “Okay, how ya doin? Berlin! Great to be back. We are Motörhead, and we play Rock’n’Roll!” With that the crowd began to shake and in an instant plastic beer cups filled the air above the main floor. Even from upper level seats, the pure power and loudness of Motörhead washed over the body.

The 16 song set included tracks from the band’s nearly 40 year life span, along with new songs from the recent LP Aftershock, released in late 2013. And what concert would be complete without a very shiny drum solo? Yes, drummer Mikkey Dee is pictured below, honestly.

As the set approached its end and the opening chords of the anthem, “Ace of Spades” rang aloud, a new banner appeared, showing love proclaiming, “Motörhead Deutschland.”

After thanking the Berlin audience for being great, and before one last song, Lemmy told the crowd again, “Now, don’t forget us. We are Motörhead, and we play Rock’n’Roll!”

And with a last wave goodbye from Phil, Lemmy, and Mikkey, it was all over…

Until the beloved road crew strips it down and sets it all up again for another night of hard-driving, pure Rock’n’Roll. And don’t worry Lemmy, we will never forget you. Long live the mighty Motörhead!

For everything Motörhead, click here.

For The Damned, here.

And for Skew Siskin, here.

(All Photos – John Perye)