Motörhead – Bomber (1979)
Album Overview
Bomber is the third studio album by British heavy metal band Motörhead, released on 27 October 1979 through Bronze Records. Coming only months after Overkill, the album continued the band’s unstoppable momentum and further defined their aggressive blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and punk energy.
The record reached No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the band’s highest-charting release at the time and confirming Motörhead as a rising force in heavy music.
Background and Recording
Following the success of Overkill earlier in 1979, Motörhead returned quickly to the studio to record another album. The band’s classic lineup remained intact:
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Lemmy Kilmister – bass, vocals
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“Fast” Eddie Clarke – guitar
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Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor – drums
The album was produced by Jimmy Miller, known for his work with The Rolling Stones. Recording sessions took place at Roundhouse Studios in London during 1979.
The result was a powerful record that captured the band’s raw live energy, speed, and rebellious attitude.
Tracklist
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Dead Men Tell No Tales
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Lawman
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Sweet Revenge
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Sharpshooter
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Poison
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Stone Dead Forever
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All the Aces
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Step Down
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Talking Head
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Bomber
Notable Songs
Bomber
The title track became one of Motörhead’s most famous songs, known for its thunderous riff and explosive energy.
Stone Dead Forever
A fan favorite featuring Lemmy’s gritty vocals and one of the band’s most memorable riffs.
Dead Men Tell No Tales
The opening track delivers a fast, aggressive start to the album and showcases the band’s relentless style.
All the Aces
A classic Motörhead anthem celebrating the wild lifestyle of rock and roll.
Cover Art
The album cover features a Heinkel He 111 bomber aircraft flying through a dark sky, matching the album’s aggressive theme. The military imagery reinforces the band’s intense and explosive musical style.
During the Bomber Tour, the band used a famous giant bomber-shaped lighting rig on stage, which weighed nearly a ton and became one of the most iconic stage designs in rock history.
Fun Facts
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The massive bomber stage prop used during the tour was one of the heaviest lighting rigs ever used at the time.
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The band recorded Bomber only months after releasing Overkill, showing their relentless work ethic.
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The album pushed Motörhead’s sound even further into the territory that would inspire speed metal and thrash metal.
Trivia
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The song “Step Down” features guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke on lead vocals.
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The album’s aggressive sound and fast tempos influenced many future metal bands.
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The bomber stage rig used during the tour became one of the band’s most legendary live visuals.
Did You Know?
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The album’s title track “Bomber” became one of Motörhead’s most performed live songs.
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Motörhead’s relentless touring during this era helped them build a loyal international fanbase.
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The band’s fast and raw sound influenced major metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth.
Cultural Legacy
Bomber helped solidify Motörhead’s reputation as one of the loudest and most uncompromising bands in rock and metal. Its aggressive riffs, fast tempos, and rebellious spirit played a key role in shaping the development of speed metal, thrash metal, and hardcore punk.
Although the band would later reach worldwide fame with Ace of Spades, Bomber remains a classic example of Motörhead’s raw power during their early peak years.
Download Motorhead's Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Motorhead - Ace of Spades (1980)
Motorhead - Another Perfect Day (1983)
Motorhead - Orgasmatron (1986)
Motorhead - Kiss of Death (2006)
