No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith is a definitive metal document, with Motörhead's Lemmy, Fast Eddie, and Philthy Animal Taylor captured in their full-on chaotic glory across Britain's sweat pits in 1981. From the opening body rush of "Ace of Spades," with Lemmy's gravel-gargling voice raw and blasted all to hell, to Fast Eddie sending out mercurial shards of guitar, to the closing "Bomber" and "Motörhead," this is a live album second to none. Lemmy would break all four bass strings on the evening's opening chord; fans would need to be restrained from carving grooves into the floor with their heads. Metal should be a vicarious thrill, a sudden rush of blood and noise, and No Sleep more than fills those roles. Absolutely bloody essential. --Everett True