If Mötley Crüe’s 1981 debut album Too Fast for Love ignited interest in the band further beyond the limits of the Sunset Strip, then 1983’s Shout at the Devil set the entire world on fire.
Released on September 23rd of 1983 through Elektra, Shout at the Devil was an album that some critics pooh-poohed at the time of release, but in hindsight, were made to eat their words. The album was raw, alive, and really set the standard for much of the Heavy Metal music that came thereafter. From the imagery the band portrays (which was glamorous, but still somehow dark), to the title Shout at the Devil (which caught a lot of attention), to the band’s overall apologetic attitude… this was Rock-n-Roll.
An album which would go four-times platinum, yet received little to no support from Elektra Records at the time (in terms of promotion or advertisement), it is truly a testament to the work and passion Mötley Crüe put into Shout at the Devil that make it what it is. What is it? It is one of the best Metal albums of all-time, and few can argue that. It is also the album that set the stage for even wider success for Mötley Crüe; which followed with ‘85’s Theatre of Pain, ‘87’s Girls, Girls, Girls, and ‘89’s massive Dr. Feelgood. Success that transcended into a new era of fans in the 2000s, it is important to honor Shout at the Devil and its impact. That is why it comes with loads of excitement that BMG is honoring it with the Year of the Devil 2023 celebration.
What exactly is the Year of the Devil celebration? It is a year-long celebration of Shout at the Devil on the record’s 40th anniversary. This celebration of course includes touring, but also a massive Super Deluxe Box Set which is available as of October 27, 2023. A set that really covers all corners, it includes the album newly remastered on LP, CD, as well as cassette. A physical format lovers dream come true, it also included reproductions of the original 7” singles of “Too Young To Fall In Love” and “Looks That Kill,” alongside a Pentagram Séance Board, Devil Board w/Metal Planchette, Metal 7” Adapter, album art lithographs, tarot cards, and devil candle holder. If that was not enough, there is an additional LP, Shout at the Demos & Rarities, which includes seven rare demos in total.
Offering more than you could ever imagine, there are additional configurations of the set which include this discussed Super Deluxe Box Set, but also a Picture Disc, Red/Black Vinyl (Walmart), Ghostly Orange Vinyl (Urban Outfitters), Blood Filled Vinyl (Newbury Comics), LP Replica CD, and Lenticular CD (Walmart). So, it is really up to you which you want to invest in.
Given all these details, what matters most is the sound quality. Something that could easily be forgotten with all the shiny extras included here, fortunately the sound is top notch and the mastering/pressing was not overlooked.
Overall, a lot of love and care was put into each format, and in this instance, especially the Super Deluxe Box Set. That is why Cryptic Rock gives the Shout at the Devil Deluxe Limited Edition Box Set 5 out of 5 stars.
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