#belgianmetal — Public Fediverse posts

A year before Slayer started their thrash party, Paul “Shorty” Van Camp and Fat Leo formed their band, Killer. However, their names are the only things these two bands have in common—instead of thrash, Killer play an energetic style of classic heavy metal that has drawn plenty of comparisons to Motörhead. One can also hear NWOBHM influences from Saxon to Iron Maiden as well as some Def Leppard, AC/DC, and Thin Lizzy. What some consider Belgium’s first metal band, Killer struggled to imitate the success of their influences, with lineup changes wreaking havoc and financial struggles leading to lengthy hiatuses. After 1990’s Fatal Attraction, the ’90s were a quiet decade for the crew until a burst of energy following a 20th anniversary reunion that led to the release of two records in 2003 and 2005. The Grand Finale marks their third album since 2005’s Immortal, their ninth overall, and, as the album title and tongue-in-cheek cover art suggest, the last of their career. Despite their age, these guys prove they aren’t too olde to rock.

On The Grand Finale, Killer embrace the Motörhead within them. The record doubles as their swan song and as a tribute to Lemmy Kilmister, including guest performances from Lloyd “Lemmy,” the vocalist of a Motörhead tribute band called Motörheadz.1 Things start off with that Motörhead energy on the catchy “Loaded Gun,” which also has the economic flair of AC/DC. It establishes the sort of simple, yet distinctive, riffs that give each track a memorable spark. It’s not all Motörhead all the time, however. “Welcome in the Real World”2 has the classic heavy metal feel of Judas Priest, and structurally the songs play out in a Def Leppard fashion with stripped-down yet catchy choruses. Yet, Motörhead does dominate the thematic content of The Grand Finale. The centerpiece, “Roll the Dice,” takes clear influence from “Ace of Spades,” using the same “life as a gamble” metaphor. Shorty and Lloyd “Lemmy” sing, “Life’s a casino” and “If you don’t play you never can win.” Yes it’s a bit on the nose for “Ace of Spades,” but still plenty fun.

Shorty is the only remaining member from the ’80s days, but these guys play with plenty of spunk for a trio that’s been together for 15 years. The 70-year-old lead singer proves the adage that age is just a number. Sure, his voice has a bit of a huskiness that weighs it down, but he sings with gusto and spirit. There’s no pity in his final performance—on “The Grand Finale,” he sings “Stop! The show is over” with the cheerful abandon of someone satisfied with their lot. He sees the silver lining in performing this finale: “It’s our very last chance to enjoy the passion, the treasure.” The joy is catching. The ballad “Gone Too Soon” is the true heart of the album, serving as a tribute to Lemmy. It’s a heartfelt piece that genuinely expresses Killer’s grief in a down-to-earth way that isn’t overly sappy. Along with the charismatic vocal performance, the memorable riffs and fun solos prove that The Grand Finale was borne from a spark of true passion.

Though The Grand Finale harks back to the days when Killer wrote tighter records, wrapping up in a concise 38 minutes,3 it does begin to grow stale in the back half. “Hard Day Coming” is one of the more interesting songs thematically, taking the “grand finale” theme in a more sinister and global direction by warning of a coming “hard day” ravaged by raging seas and “violence and hate.” It’s a fine tune, but it leads to a string of structurally similar songs that feel repetitive, following one after the other. Rescuing the record from a sluggish ending is the return of Lloyd “Lemmy” on the highly energetic “What You See is What You Get.” Frenetic riffs and blast beats snap awake sleepy musicians and listeners alike, allowing this one to end on a high note and keep the good vibes flowing.

They may lack the influence of many of their peers and won’t draw the same amount of attention as another “grand finale” released earlier this year, but it’s still bittersweet to witness the end of such a long career. Killer face this ending with such good spirits that it’s more sweet than bitter, however. I won’t speculate on where this one sits in their discog,4 but what matters is that it’s an enjoyable send-off, something fans will appreciate as well as newcomers who enjoy classic heavy metal.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 10 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: High Roller Records
Websites: Facebook | Official Site
Releases Worldwide: September 11th, 2026