by Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx recently made an intriguing comparison between Lana Del Rey’s music and his own band’s work. He shared his thoughts in a social media exchange on X (formerly Twitter).
The conversation began when Sixx asked fans about albums they couldn’t live without. He responded with his own choice.
“Out of any album on earth what’s the one you CANNOT live without? Mine’s easy, Aerosmith ROCKS,” Sixx said.
A Mötley Crüe fan replied mentioning both Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey and Shout at the Devil. Sixx offered an unexpected musical observation.
“If you play Lana’s album backwards, it sounds like Shout at the Devil,” Sixx wrote back.
The comment draws a playful connection between Del Rey’s 2014 album Ultraviolence and Mötley Crüe’s 1983 release Shout at the Devil. It suggests an interesting sonic relationship between the two very different musical works.
This unexpected musical comparison comes from a musician who has been at the forefront of rock music for over four decades. Sixx’s perspective carries significant weight in the industry. His extensive experience and influence on multiple generations of rock fans make his observations particularly noteworthy.
Loudwire reported that Nikki Sixx has been the only constant member of Mötley Crüe since its formation in 1981. He co-founded the band with a vision fueled by a turbulent personal past and a relentless drive to succeed in rock music. His role as the band’s primary songwriter and creative force has shaped their sound throughout their career. This makes his musical observations particularly noteworthy.
The band’s commercial success adds context to Sixx’s playful yet pointed comparison. Mötley Crüe’s official website states that the group has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They are renowned for their iconic live performances featuring elaborate stage effects, including Sixx’s signature flame-throwing bass. This massive commercial reach demonstrates the lasting impact of albums like Shout at the Devil.
Shout at the Devil, released in 1983, marked a pivotal moment in Mötley Crüe’s career and heavy metal history. The album’s dark themes and aggressive sound helped define the band’s identity. It influenced countless rock acts that followed. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that Sixx’s songwriting during this period was heavily influenced by his personal struggles and experiences. He created music that resonated with fans seeking authentic expression in rock music.
The comparison between Ultraviolence and Shout at the Devil highlights an interesting cross-generational musical dialogue. The albums are separated by over three decades and vastly different genres. Both albums explore themes of darkness and intensity. This suggests that Sixx may have identified genuine artistic parallels beneath their surface differences.
